How many times have you had to start over? Losing weight? 
Exercising every day? Writing that book? Learning how to play the guitar? Liberate yourself from the weight of backsliding or inaction by facing forward and declaring, “Today is a beautiful day to be ‘Day One’!”
That’s what I did recently.
Before the focus of our household became defined by my husband’s hospice care, I was already trying to lose those “last five pounds.” I had been actively engrossed in expanding my exercise reperto
ire to include pull-ups – sort of semi-pull-ups – real push-ups, and using a heavier kettlebell. Success was within my grasp! Just keep at it a little bit every day.
After the March 21st trip to the ER, everything changed. Survival
mode ruled the day. Stress threatened to overwhelm. The coping techniques I wrote about in Toolkit for Wellness became my best friends.
Stress does a number on how our bodies function. Well, I knew that; but, wow! The pull for carbs – even gluten-free ones – is insidious. I felt I deserved the carb-y treats just for surviving the day.
A good day? Carbs to celebrate!
Exercise? Yeah, right.
Go for a walk? Can’t leave home without a sitter.
Planks? Push-ups? Have to be later, busy with my husband’s needs.
Gradually over the course of almost four months, I became out of shape and fifteen pounds over where I want to be.
But I am keeping my spirits buoyed by wonderful moments with my husband, the encouragement and frequent contacts with family, friends, helpers, and the wise use of free time at home to enjoy looking at the birds and squirrels, and by coloring.
I placed no pressure on myself for any additional requirements except to eat lots of the veggies I loved.
But it was time to take control.
I think you reach a point when you no longer want to be a ‘victim’ or just someone always in a reactionary mode. I want to call the shots.
So do it! Enter “Day One”!
Back to exercises done during coffee brewing time. We drink the stuff every day. That time is already allotted. Piggy back habits by exercising during brew time.
I had to start slowly again. Backsliding does that. Who cares? Who’s looking? Only me. Start over. No big deal. That’s how it works – a little bit every day.
My full-body plank had shrunk to 20 seconds. Fine. Day One is 20 
seconds. Day Two is thirty seconds.
I find there are ample opportunities to do more movements in the kitchen – exercise central for me. Waiting for a pan to heat up? Squats right in front of the stove. Nuking something for a minute? Kitchen counter push-ups. Waiting to stir the veggies sautéing in the pan? Time for arm circles.
The following is a list of exercises I am currently doing during brew time and at other cooking times. These are fully explained in my book, Toolkit for Wellness, sta
rting on page 237:
PLANKS- These are always first because they are the hardest. Full body plank followed by half-plank. My goal is to do a two-minute full body plank.
SQUATS- These are so easily done any time, especially while waiting for a pan to heat up.
STEPS IN PLACE- Starting with very high and slow steps gradually getting faster and shorter, then returning to high steps. This is my favorite for getting pumped up.
PUSH-UPS- These right now are done at the kitchen counter but will eventually follow planks.
KETTLEBELL LIFTS and SWINGS- Returning to my lower weight kettlebell, I do single arm lifts, double arm lifts, around-the-world swings, and standard kettlebell swing through.
BALLET POINTS- From a “first position stance,” I point my toe/leg to the front, side, and back, ten times each for both legs
FLY LIKE AN EAGLE
– Palms up with arms to the side, lower outstretched arms 1/3rd of the way down to your leg and back up 8 times. Repeat 2/3rds of the way down 8 times. Repeat all the way down 8 times. Continue to do arm circles, palms up both forward and back 8 times. Continue with pumping arms back 8 times. Whew!
TODAY is a beautiful day to be “Day One”! What are YOU working on?
Deidre
