If you’ve never met me in person you might not know that I’m a big gal. I am and I own it. I’ve always been big except for a couple of years during puberty. Always. Even at my lowest weight (pregnancy – sick as a dog – and nursing babies) I was still a big gal.

Side note: I can’t call myself a GIRL. I’m 47 and I’m a woman. GAL will do. 

I eat lots and lots of vegetables and fruits, RARELY do I eat red meat, I have a fondness for sweets so I try not to keep them in the house. We don’t buy pre-packaged foods. I cook. From scratch. I eat fairly healthy most of the time.

Since I’ve been working from home this last 2.5 years I tend to move less than I did working a full-time retail job though. I can tell a difference. Less stamina, less muscle and a whole lot of all-over pain.

So earlier this summer I decided that I need to move more and start making time for good health. I started out by getting back into gardening and yard work.

It is now my theory that the whole CROSS FIT fad started with gardening. Whew!

I planted a mini garden, put in new flower beds and did the bulk of the yard work on our almost two acre property all summer.

I cleaned up a pile of boards and stuff behind our garden shed and added a compost bin and a place to store firewood.

I could have worked harder, longer, and more but I am running a business and helping my husband get his business off the ground too. Plus, I know me. If I go at this whole gardening thing full throttle I will burn out quickly and I don’t want that.

Then there is our budget to consider. There are only so many pennies for soil, mulch and plants.

This fall we have also committed to finishing the Fall Hiking Spree and have done 3 out of the 8 required hikes. I’m also walking with a girlfriend twice a week.

I don’t have any more hours in the day than I had before. I haven’t hired a housekeeper or cook to free up some time in my day. I haven’t given up on my work/business.

Yeah, I’m still a big gal but I’m a big gal that can haul a wheel barrow load of wet dirt, hike 2 or more miles and blow, rake and haul leaves until it’s too dark outside to see. It’s an improvement.

All because I decided that I deserve to feel good. I deserve to be healthier.

I don’t like aching all over from hours of sitting in a chair. I’d rather ache all over because I moved my body, built some muscle and sweated a little. I’d rather ache and accomplish something. If I’m gonna hurt I want it to be for a good cause. Ya know?

I’m not running marathons or hanging out at the gym. I’m not going to go crazy with this so that I burn out in a month or two like I have with exercise regimens in the past. I’m simply finding ways to get moving more that are enjoyable and fit into my life.

If I want to become one of the little old ladies that admire (you know the ones that people half their age can keep up with?) I need to do what needs to be done so I can still be an active older woman.

I have decided that I am a priority and I need to MAKE time for good health.

What kinds of things do you do on a daily basis for your health? What motivated you and how has it changed you?