A thousand year heart in a young body

Life gets happier as I get older. I get more pleasure out of the present in ordinary activities and handling life’s challenges. It is a shame for a woman to grow old without ever seeing the strength and beauty of which her body is capable.

I have always aimed at fitness – with a need to serve – for service with a grateful heart generates smiles and hugs from my family. I am grateful to them for keeping me strong especially in times of uncertainty.

I encourage women to approach fitness with fidelity. As people of faith we are fascinated with the concept of miraculous healing. I found the mystical health tonic I was searching for in my own home. Every dawn, I have a lemon and ginger juice drink mixed with warm water, a spoonful of honey, a generous pinch of cinnamon powder and a sprinkle of apple cider vinegar. It stimulates digestion, expels toxins from the liver and supports digestive enzymes for a busy day ahead. Being a piles patient and a chronic sufferer of colds, coughs and sinus attacks in the past, I have learnt to be on my guard. Today, this health tonic continues to work wonders for me.

Two pregnancies later, the excruciating pain in my knees just got worse. It became a constant reminder that I am not getting younger so now I better get wiser. As a kid, my parents would make me hold on to each ear, the right hand to the left ear, the left hand to the right ear and complete a series of ten squats depending on the gravity of the offence with a view to making me see the error of my ways. As a tribute today, I do 47 squats daily equal to the number of years I have lived. Sore? Tired? Out of breath? Sweaty? Good……..48……….49……50. Before I am tempted to throw in the towel, I throw in a few more. I hope to be 50 one day. Today, my consistency rewards me with no pain in the knees. They feel stronger, steadier and more capable of carrying out my duties as a wife and mother.

As a teacher in the public service, exam week can be really cruel when I have to sit from seven in the morning to six in the evening without a proper break marking exam scripts to meet the deadline. Worse days are when I have to burn the midnight oil. All my muscles go to sleep as I try to keep awake. I have come to the realization after my domestic help left for a good 40 days break that household chores without a helper are the best holiday workout. All my muscles are actively involved doing them and there is not a day I do not go to bed feeling sore. A gym in my own home. In 22 days, I am around 2 kilograms lighter minus the two-year pain in my left heel only by eating small nutritious meals and doing the A to Z of running a home. I am my own gym – stronger, leaner, fitter and happier. Truly, food is the most abused anxiety drug. Exercise is the most underutilized antidepressant.

I watch my husband preparing breakfast for himself. First, he weighs a ceramic bowl on a kitchen scale. Next, he adds some oats, milk and blueberries checking the weight after each step mentally counting calories. For me, it is a miracle. I wish to learn from his humble approach to nourishment and good health. Why stop at calories? As a smart woman, I would venture on to count levels of stress allowed for a given day just enough to get positive results or we could count expectation levels and have the right amount so as to avoid disappointments. The ability to grow lighter as we go is a form of wisdom that entails learning how not to sweat the small stuff…learning how not to be too invested in particular outcomes.

A woman with a fit physique is more than just visually appealing. It shows she works hard. It shows dedication, discipline, self-respect, dignity, patience, work-ethics and passion – most important a heart full of love.

Please read our other article Confident woman raises a happy family.


Some resources that will help you de-stress and become a better woman

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