Keep Moving

The back injury was worse. I always had back trouble, but long periods of sitting at my new job had exacerbated the problem. Now I was in intense pain, and could barely walk. I researched everything. Ice, heat, surgery, drugs. What was the answer? No one I’d spoken with told me that surgery was a silver bullet, and I’m not a believer in medicating to solve problems. 

The only item everyone seemed to agree on was that movement was part of the answer.

There’s a reason why your doctor wants you out of bed and walking the hall of hospital when you’ve had a procedure. Getting up and moving aids in healing. I committed myself to small walks at first. I refused to allow myself to sit for any long period of time. I practiced stretching, through yoga and other gentle exercises. I began to feel better. 

I changed jobs. It was not worth my health, and found one that was a better fit for my life. I kept moving, and never looked back.

Last year, a hiker greeted me at the top of a mountain. He had that “hiker high.” Exultant at reaching the peak, he exclaimed, “I love this. It adds years to your life, it really does!”

I smiled and nodded. It’s more than 10 years since I made my life change. I walk an average of 8-10 miles a day, and can handle more than that on long hikes. I feel 100% better than I did those many years ago, even though I’m older. I’m not as fast, and I still have a bad back, but I have never suffered the same pain as I did before I chose a more active lifestyle.

I encourage you to join my friend and I at the summit. Keep moving, I’ll see you at the top!