Today during my daily meditation, I started thinking about the things I really love in life. The people, the activities, the events and even the work that keeps me moving and keeps me excited about seizing each new day as it comes. For me, spending time focusing on what I love doing and who I love being with motivates me. It pushes me forward in a way that nothing else can, and I bet that you might be the same way.

So, let me ask you. What do you love? Who do you love to be with? Thinking about these things should make you smile! It should make you happy and bring you joy to think about the very best moments that life has to offer. Therefore, the question now becomes, how do you get more of it?!?!?!

When I talk to people about incorporating exercise into their daily routine, it often isn’t something they love to talk about. In fact, those conversations often tend wobble along with shrugs, nods and sighs as people shake their head and admit that they need to exercise more.

“Yeah, that’s definitely something I need to do more of. It’s just…….” Then fill in the blank. I don’t have time. The kids schedule is too crazy. I’ve gotten out of the habit. I don’t feel like it. I’m too tired. I feel too sore afterwards.

Truly the list is long, and we’ve all come up with our own version of “fill in the blank” at some time or another. But here’s the thing, making exercise a part of your daily routine is one way you can work to enhance your life and improve your health. And better health means having the chance to enjoy more of all the things you love about your life.

As we age it gets harder and harder to do things that once came easy. If we want to maintain our physical strength and stamina, then we have to work for it. Maybe once upon a time we could go out and run a few times a year and it still wasn’t hard to knock out a few miles. But then one day we strap on our running shoes with good intentions and find that we are huffing and puffing before we make it to the mailbox, much less all the way to the end of the street….and back.

What once came easy now takes more effort. But here’s the thing…. it’s worth it! Because exercising and living a healthy lifestyle can mean the difference between spending the day at Disney with your grandkids or having to stay back at the hotel because you can’t handle the walk. It can be the difference between keeping up the hobbies you love or watching other people enjoy them on TV.

The short answer? Living a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, good food choices and a positive outlook will benefit all areas of your life and it allows you to keep doing the things you love.

So get moving and stay moving! I recommend at least 150 minutes of cardio per week along with a mix of strength training to keep your muscles strong and your body lean. This can be hiking, walking, biking, swimming, dancing or anything else that gets your heart pumping.

Staying Active is a sure way to be healthy and when you feel discouraged, just think about all those things you love doing, it will give you all the motivation you need to stay focused and to keep moving forward to a more productive healthy life!

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