Skating Uphill-March 2021 Pink Magazine
Judith Lawrenson
“I am called by Nature in so many different ways. Are You?”
As the weather becomes Springlike, our life rhythms change and reflect the many shifts that this brings. I like to look at this time, especially now, as a challenge. Newness, even though it is recurring, is new nonetheless. It is time to get ready for that newness and see what it means to us at that deeply personal level where we all function. I see my challenge firstly in the original purpose of this column. Food! What started as “diet” advice has morphed many times and even become a successful BLOG. I like to check back to basics regularly and update new, again the use of that word, developments in research and discoveries.
One of the most interesting developments to me has been the fact that now it seems that water is not the best hydrator and in fact almost anything that is non-caffeine and not alcohol liquid can serve that purpose. The best now has been found to be milk. This was of great interest to me. It is not only milk, but juices, power drinks and so on. Also the “drink when you are thirsty” idea has been debunked too. Waiting until you actually thirst can lead to dizziness, nausea and kidney issues. so drink up and do it regularly. Foods have also been looked at in different ways. The lowly breakfast cereal is now a vitamin fortified good heakthy breakfast. Read the labels. Some cereals have 100% or your iron requirements and many other vitamins and minerals. Yes, they are fortified, but hey, so is a vitamin pill. I would rather eat it. Add milk and fruit and have a nice easy breakfast. Oh, and don’t forget the big one-overnight oats. See the BLOG, www.skatinguphill.com for quick, easy, portable, recipes that are easy to customize.
Another new one? Sure-It used to be that we could wrap anything a tortilla and that is still good, of course, but how about wrapping anything in a piece of Naan Bread just for a new twist? Yummy! Exercise has also changed somewhat. I am at a gym that is associated with a re-hab unit of a hospital and I have, for the first time in my life, hired a personal trainer. Boy, have I learned a lot. It is not just about machines and the tread mill. Walking has changed too. the words brisk, striding, and quick step have been but out there and you now need to move your arms too. Fitbits have been greatly improved and come down in price and I find mine a really useful tool. I check it and record my steps every day. It is a fun challenge.
New to me is the concept of lifting weights. I had no idea, but fat to muscle ratio is now a huge factor in overall health and body strength. Your weight is made up of both fat and muscle, obviously, but muscle burns more calories much faster than fat. The way to build muscle it to lift weights. I started with five ponds-don’t laugh-and I I am up to double now. I honestly feel better and have more stamina too! My final challenge, and I pass it on to you, is to get off your butt and go outside. For me it has been quite a hard indoor winter and I have had enough of it. I want to go outside. Yes, nature is calling me. I plan to walk on the beach with a mask and coat if necessary. My dog is wondering when we are going to go for an actual outing, not just up the block.
Trees and flowers and sunshine are there for all of us to enjoy. Outdoor beauty belongs to all of us. How lucky are we??? Get out into it. If you don’t want to walk, run or even shlep along, sit on your front porch and read a book. Breathe the air. Look at the sky. Pull a weed….you get the idea, I am sure. BTW-did I mention fresh foods and perhaps Farmer’s Markets? Yes, this is all a part of spring too. Also, I will never forget one year I heard David Lauderdale speak at our church and he happened to mention that people should watch road signs and the paper for daffodil picking. I did and guess what-there are daffodil farms around Hilton Head and Bluffton that open and let you actually wander around in the fields and pick daffodils to your heart’s content. Not free, of course, but pretty close to it. Give that a try. What a unique experience. have a great Spring, Love, Judith