Exercise

When you are a child exercise seems to be built into your psyche. You run, skip, hop, jump all over the place amidst admonitions to walk or slow down.  As a child of the fifties and sixties I was aways climbing trees, kicking, throwing and hitting balls, skipping, scootering, cycling, roller skating, swimming - life was endless motion. It seems to change in adolescence!! Or maybe it was my bookish self that saw me more often sprawled on my bed with a consignment of library books. I still rode my bike but I’m not sure my teenage exercise regime was of optimum benefit health wise!  As a student I fared a little better, playing squash and tennis as well as walking everywhere to stretch the student budget. 

 

What is interesting is that during those years, and the earlier years as a working adult, gyms were places that were frequented by boxers, jogging in the streets simply didn’t happen, formal sport wasn’t especially evident for the masses. Most modern gyms didn’t appear until the 80’s and daily step counts and exercise wasn’t something that was advocated as an essential part of a heathy regime. 

 

I probably wasn’t particularly fit except that I didn’t run a car I walked everywhere. I eventually bought myself a bike again and I cycled everywhere. But it was joining a gym in the 90’s that turned me into a fitness freak. And it did become almost obsessive. I worked out, I ran, I swam, I cycled I walked, and I felt good! Being fit was good for my self-esteem and confidence. It certainly kept my weight in check.

 

Not being able to do those things hit me hard. I had to stop swimming because the docs reckoned that breaststroke caused the arthritis in my neck. I was a self-taught swimmer, and I knew no other stroke. The arthritis may or may not have caused a problem with my ears, so they advised heavy duty ear plugs if I did swim. I’m short-sighted but obviously I had to remove my specs to swim. I found that not being able to hear and not being able to see together did not make swimming the pleasure it had been.

 

I had reduced my cycling too because not being able to turn my neck made me feel unsafe on the road. I always observed the law and cycled on the road. I fitted a mirror to my handlebars which helped, but it just wasn’t the same. I felt much more vulnerable. So, although I still rode the bike from time to time it I was selective about routes and times! I remember one season when I cleaned the bike up, tested the brakes and oiled the gears I made to go for a cycle and found that I lacked the flexibility in my legs to get astride it! I was heartbroken. I’ve not ridden the bike since although it still sits forlornly in my garden shed. I have a static bike but that seems to exacerbate my hip and spine pains so reluctantly I’m not using it currently. 

 

After the spinal arthritis diagnosis, I started Tai Chi which sent the physio into a disproportionate spasm of delight when I told him! Shortly after that I started a seated yoga class. I found both classes beneficial. Both stopped because of lock down and sadly I’ve never reconnected with Tai Chi. About a year ago the seated yoga class started up again. And I walk – daily - if I can. I manage a couple of miles, sometimes more on a good day but I find the good days are less than they used to be. I live on the coast, so I have a glorious walk along the cliff tops that afford me beautiful estuary views. There are little paths that take you off the main throughfare and you can imagine you’re in the heart of the countryside not in a seaside town!

 

Although it is a far cry from my previous regime it is very satisfying and uplifting engaging with the natural world. If I can get out early the morning skies can be breathtaking. I consider myself fortunate that I can still go out and enjoy my surroundings.