The calendar’s turned to February, marking a month into 2023 and those New Year’s resolutions I wrote in pencil.
Instead of erasing those words of what I intended to do this year, I’ve embraced those goals.
I vowed to be more active and not to say “no” to a physical challenge.
With the resolution in mind, I picked up a bowling ball Saturday for the first time in years and competed against my youngest son.
Then I embraced my grandsons’ desires to slide down those piles of snow Grandpa Foddy piled throughout the yard. I raced the 3- and 5-year- olds up the 12-foot piles with sleds in tow.
At first, I helped the youngsters pull their sleds and themselves to the top of the piles, steadying them as they sat on the slippery, ridged plastic sled, and pushed them down the slopes.
Then I joined them.
We had a contest to see who could slide the farthest (they could), and I pulled them along the ice-covered driveway at a jog (they shouting to go faster, me keeping the same plodding pace).
We had a blast.
I didn’t break an arm or leg, die of exhaustion, or find it hard to move the next day.
Next up to not saying “no” to a physical activity is the Gladiator Assault Challenge in May.
I’ve been asked to join a team and complete a 5K course filled with obstacles involving climbing, jumping, crawling, balancing and MUD.
I think I can do it.
If it wasn’t for the New Year’s resolution and continuation of the wellness program I started in November, I wouldn’t have even considered doing something like the gladiator challenge.
Ninety days ago I was 23 pounds heavier and an inch thicker in stature. Getting up off the floor from a sitting position was difficult, and completing more than a couple of pushups wasn’t possible.
While the pushups have become somewhat easier, bending down and getting up from the floor is no longer a problem.
I’ve also agreed to don that swimsuit that’s been mothballed and join my grandchildren in the swimming pool for the annual family reunion.
Each year I’ve sat around the pool and watched the kids in the water.
Not this year.
My mind doesn’t view myself as heading toward being a senior citizen. I am determined not to let my body think the same thing.
So, readers, I double dog dare you to get off that couch that I, too, used to sit on and watch other people have fun. Be the one actually instigating the fun, no matter if it involves physical activity or not.