Last time I talked about playing with matches. You know you have to have a spark to get a fire going. The spark of the match ignites the match, which in turn lights the kindling, starting its way to a roaring fire. The figurative match ignites our bodies in much the same way.
Now if you've ever started a campfire or even a real log fire in your fireplace (without the aid of a gas starter), you know how challenging it can be to start a cold fire. If the wood is wet, the challenge is even greater.
The easiest way to start a fire is to use an existing fire and add to it. The easiest way to start a fire in your body is to use the existing fire and add to it. Don't let your fire burn out. If you do, you have to start over again. That's the hard part and it's not very fun.
So how do you keep your fire burning? It is actually quite simple: keep moving. Make a commitment to do some form of exercise 5 days a week. That will keep your fire burning in more ways than one.
Your muscles stay active and continue to grow the more you use them. Your metabolism continues to burn faster and longer the more you keep the fire stoked. Your heart, lungs and circulatory system become more efficient the more you use them.
Muscles stay stretched, joints remain pain-free and bones stay strong. Even your brain receives some much needed relief from the stressors of life.
When you stop exercising all the good things you've been working on start to fade. Like a fire that's been left alone, eventually it fades and goes cold. If you can catch it before it goes cold and throw some kindling on it, you can restart it again without too much trouble.
Likewise, before you allow yourself to go totally cold, get out for a walk or come in to the club for a workout. The smallest activity is better than nothing. Even just 10 minutes can help keep the embers glowing until you can get going again.
Exercise becomes hard when we allow ourselves to burn out. Remember this the next time you think you don't have time to get in a little activity. Remember your fire within and keep it burning. It will be so much easier to continue than having to start it all over again.
