I devote approximately an hour per day to working out.
- My exercise sessions include a diversity of activities, including jumping rope, running, cycling, abdominal crunches, lunges, squats and weight-lifting.
I rarely skip a day. Whether I’m tired, busy or suffering from aching muscles, I take time out of my day to focus on physical fitness. I have worked out when I’ve had a fever, a headache or felt congested. Due to a hectic schedule, I’ve completed workouts before the sun is up and well after the sun has set. Because I make fitness a priority, I feel strong and healthy. I sometimes push my body beyond what is safe or healthy. Last summer, I decided to renovate one of the bedrooms in the house. I tore out the ancient plaster and lath walls and ceilings and took the room down to the bare studs. I installed new windows, new wiring and added insulation. I then began installing new drywall on the ceiling. I am a woman in my mid-fifties, right around five feet tall and about 120 pounds. Handling the bulky, heavy sheets of drywall is difficult for me. Although I cut the sheets in half, hauling them up the ladder and screwing them to the ceiling was a challenge. I needed to use the top of my head and my left hand to hold the sheet in place while I operated the cordless drill with my right hand. The job was painful but I refused to give up. That evening, I was in such excruciating pain that I could only lie completely flat on the couch. I eventually figured out that I’d torn my trapezius muscle. The upper left side of my back swelled and turned purple. For three weeks, I couldn’t get off the couch. I was unable to leave the house or wash my own hair. There was no possibility of working out. When I could finally move around again, I was limited to riding the stationary bike with no resistance. I could only ride for fifteen minutes.