People Who Do More Live Longer

"Sedentary is not an option for anyone. Being idle is as dangerous for your health as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Being active over the long haul requires a frame that is flexible, strong, durable, and balanced. It's all well and good to have "mirror muscles" or advanced running capability, but if your entire frame isn't in shape, you're a candidate for aches and pulls and sprains, for joint dysfunctions and arthritis, and for diminished mobility.

You have desires and expectations for the best of health, but you've also got responsibilities in securing and maintaining it. Being lean and beautiful on the outside isn't enough. You've got to have a structure that's going to support you tomorrow and the next day and the day after. The immutable truth is, people who do more live longer."

Nicholas A. Dinubile, MD

I really love this. There are lots of healthy body shapes out there. Some are strong and muscular, some are long and lean, some are a bit soft in places, and some are a mix of all three. There are healthy people who only eat the cleanest of the clean and others, like me, who mainly eat good food but can totally get down with some nachos and beer.

When I look in the mirror, I see some wobbly parts and places that used to be a bit higher. BUT my goal is not to have washboard abs and be magazine-worthy (although I admit that yesterday in HIIT class I did express my desire for a round set of glutes). My goal is to enjoy life, to eat well most of the time, to drink a shit load of water, and to sweat my ass off, on most days. My goal is to be strong and durable and have a frame that is aligned. I want to be able to move for hours, to balance and jump and twist and reach and fall and do cartwheels. I want to have legs, a core, and arms that propel me. The "mirror muscles" are not the ones that I need or want. The muscles that I need and want and work hard for are the ones that will keep me moving 40+ years from now. Sedentary is NOT an option for me and I really hope that it's not for you. We are all a work in progress and we should feel grateful that we have the chance to try to always be better.

What's your plan for this week? Are you going to move a bunch and drink a ton of water? Will you spend some time preparing your healthy menu to keep your strong body well fed? I hope so because really, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride when you do.

Here's our SoulShine schedule for the rest of November:

Monday - HIIT at Woodstock Rec - 8:15-9:15 am

Tuesday - PiYo at Woodstock Rec - 8:15-9:15 am

Thursday - PiYo at The Athletic Club - 12-12:45 pm

Friday - HIIT at Woodstock Rec - 8:15-9:15 am

11/25 - HIIT at Woodstock Rec - 8:15-9:15 am

11/26 - PiYo at Woodstock Rec - 8:15-9:15 am

11/28 - no PiYo

11/29 - no HIIT

12/2 - back at it - HIIT at Woodstock Rec - 8:15-9:15

…and so on and so forth.

Secure and then maintain your health, team!