My Reasons Why

In our house, being active was as important as eating nutritiously, and we all had to do something – anything – that would do our bodies good.

I played on organized basketball, football, and rugby teams growing up, and played pick-up touch football and “21” after school with friends. As an adult, I jogged and did aerobics.

My dad died in 2004, and one of the things he made me promise was that I would do what I could to stay healthy.

It’s a rule in my house that my two daughters always be in something active – anything – that keeps their bodies moving. They’re great about it.

Last year, my family decided to move houses, and I sold my house myself, rather than employing a real estate agent. I put my jogging on the back-burner “temporarily”, while renovations, cleaning house, showing house, paperwork, and packing house took priority. Then after the move, my extra time was spent unpacking, decorating, you name it. Anything became a worthy-enough excuse for me not to get back into it.

I gained over 25 pounds thanks to unhealthy habits and zero activity. Worst of all, I was no longer “walking the walk”, so to speak.

So my “why” is this: I want to lead by example, the same way my dad did for me. I want to live the life I tell my daughters is so important for their overall health and wellbeing. I want to show them that my health is as important to me as their health is, because I know how important I am to them.

Photo Credit:Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock (Feature Image) and author’s own collection