I’ve always been a physically active person.
When I was a young girl, I took ballet, figure skating and gymnastic lessons. I joined cheerleading at age five. I ran track and cross-country and played on a field hockey team. I used to constantly jump rope and ride my bike for hours. Once I graduated high school and headed to college, I would run around campus, run stairs or utilize the gym. I’ve always kept myself in good physical shape. When I was younger, it was a lot easier. I used to workout for thirty minutes per day, and that was sufficient to maintain a healthy weight. As I’ve grown older, I’ve had to pay more attention to my diet. I’ve had to cut back on the size of the portions I eat and be more conscientious about the number of calories I consume. My workouts have grown into an hour every day. I now include a variety of exercises. It’s no longer sufficient to just go for a run. I have to actively target flexibility, balance, range of motion and strength. I am turning 55 years old next month. I am still very physically fit. I continue to be extremely active. I regularly go for bike rides, take my kayak out on the nearby lake or go for a 6-mile run. For my daily exercise, I usually jump rope, lift weights and complete a series of push-ups, plank holds, abdominal crunches, lunges, squats and mountain climbers. I have maintained my stamina, but I am not quite as flexible as I once was. I suffer from some aches and pains that prevent certain exercises. I have added a couple of pounds and I’m not thrilled about that. However, because I am dedicated to daily workouts, I am far more fit than my peers.