While we didn’t include this in our wedding vows, I realized the value of obedience just this morning.
I headed out for my morning run, three miles today. After about 3/4 of a mile, I had to stop to jog in place and catch my breath. Strange, I thought, but no big deal. Until it happened again. And again. Until I finally stopped to walk the last 1/4 mile.
I decided to be smart enough to obey the signals my body gave me. How many times have you heard “Listen to your body” ? Great advice, but worthless unless you do what your body tells you. This morning, I decided to give myself a break and just walk.
By the time I stopped to walk, I had a headache and felt very sluggish. Then it hit me: I donated blood last evening. My body was trying so hard to obey me (Run!), but it just hadn’t had enough time to recover from the blood donation. So it turned the tables and asked me to obey. I’m glad I did.
Next time you stop and listen to your body, take the next step and actually obey it.
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Great advice – I had that same thing happen to me six months ago. Gave blood on a Friday evening and decided to hike with the family the next day. About 1 mile into the hike, I felt light-headed. It took me a few minutes to remind myself of the blood donation.
Nice post! – Rich
REALLY great reminder, as after just being hospitalized with cellulitus, which I thought was a ‘fat’ disease’, I reatook a step back and then realized just how tired and ill I was, not to mention the fact that I had been ignoring all my knowledge regarding health and fitness.
Thank goodness for BNI, friends, reminders and support systems like this blog! Thanks!
My most recent breakthrough with listening to my body has to do with my water intake. There are times after I’ve had a good meal that I, well, just want to keep eating. I’m not hungry, technically, I KNOW I’ve just fed my cells solid nutrition, so what’s up with this unstoppable urge to go to the kitchen and open the cupboards and stare? Ahhhh, water. I’ve heard that often real thirst masquerades as hunger. So, I’ve started drinking up. And, it’s working! Our bodies are always telling us something if we’ll just take the time to listen.
Good for you, Cheryl! So many times we feel hungry or tired or headachey, and all we really need is a big glass of water.