Exercise like your life depends on it

In my youth, I exercised to look good. Now, in middle age, I exercise to feel good.

I gained 10 pounds this year. I had stopped exercising completely in my fatigue. Going for a walk would actually tire me.

My yoga room
My yoga room

I’m better now. I’m rested, and I’m walking again and doing other gentle activity.

Sometimes it’s hard. I still wake up tired for various reasons, but I try to force myself to do something.

I’ve never had weight issues before. I have no idea if this is going to be hard to lose because I’ve never yo-yo’d before with weight. It’d be nice to fit all my clothes again.

At this point, though, it’s more about mental health. It’s nice to wake up feeling happy and ready to take on the day.

It’s amazing how you keep redefining “normal” as you move through life. I don’t take it for granted anymore if I have an energetic day.

I want to live a Real Housewives of Honolulu life that I have always dreamed of. In each housewife stint, I thought about it and never totally made it happen. To me, that means daily yoga, perhaps the gym, a weekly social date, happily cooking dinner and keeping the house clean, and then being totally ready to hang with Olivia after school.

So this is good. I am motivated to get to the “next” level of living well. So much is based on my energy, so I walk like my life depends on it.

Author(s) on this Post

Diane Ako

Peace of mind By Diane Ako I like to reflect on life. Sometimes it’s philosophically. Sometimes it’s humorously. For all its beauty, life is far too difficult a journey to take alone. You need the support and connection with others to help carry you along the way. Writing brings me that connection– within and without. It clarifies my thoughts and feelings. It helps me reach out to others for advice, wisdom, or feedback. Your thoughts become your actions. Your actions become you. A wise yogi- Patanjali- said, “Speak what is true. Speak what is pleasant.” Let’s speak of things pleasant to one another and seek some peace of mind along the way. ABOUT Diane Ako joined Hawaii: In Real Life in October 2016. She likes being part of a community of local bloggers – people who like writing and sharing, like she does. Ako is an anchor/ reporter at Island News (KITV4 – ABC) in Honolulu. She previously anchored and reported at KHON2 (FOX) and KHNL (NBC), and at stations in California, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. She freelance writes for NMG Network's magazines. In between news jobs, in 2017, she launched and ran her own p.r. company, Diane Ako PR. From 2010-2014, she headed the public relations department at Halekulani Corporation, which oversees luxury resort Halekulani and boutique hotel Waikiki Parc. She’s been blogging since 2009 – before Hawaii: IRL, she wrote for The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the state’s largest daily newspaper, where her stories garnered a dozen journalism awards and an Emmy nomination. Ako has a BA in Communications from Menlo College and an MA in Political Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa. She volunteers as a board member of the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation, a Shinto shrine maiden at Daijingyu Temple, a citizen-scientist studying shrimp, and a yoga teacher at a senior center.

Diane Ako has 274 posts and counting. See all posts by Diane Ako

5 thoughts on “Exercise like your life depends on it

  • December 26, 2016 at 7:07 am
    Permalink

    Great article, Diane. I know it’s hard keeping to an exercise routine, but at my age (72), I find the daily walk of 3 to 5 miles really keeps me alert and physically fit. Keep at it. My wife and I enjoy feeling a kind of relaxing “tired” after an hour or so of walking along the paths of our Laupahoehoe home. Plus, the exercise provides needed stress relief. Aloha, Russ.

    Reply
    • December 26, 2016 at 6:52 pm
      Permalink

      Hi Russ, and thank you! Relaxing tired is the best.

      Reply
  • December 26, 2016 at 3:49 pm
    Permalink

    Hi Diane, I’m either standup paddling, paddling my one man canoe or running almost daily. Marry Christmas to you and your family!

    Reply
  • December 27, 2016 at 11:15 am
    Permalink

    I don’t care for the gym. Too many sweaty people. Plus, a pair of New Balance size WIDE is cheaper than a membership. If it’s too rainy I hop on the treadmill with an audiobook.
    Listen to your body. Sometimes it’s just a matter of finding the right sport.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.