Scientists have announced the isolation of a gene that gives some people an aversion to exercise. I'd love to know how much the researcher got paid for that, because I could've told them that YEARS ago!! :) The research gives credence to exercise being easy for some people, while others report having aches and pains when they attempt to exercise. I've done a bit of walking over the years, but even that's been limited since I had a knee replacement a few years ago. I still walk, but no longer 1 1/2 - 2 miles per day.
Occasionally over the years I've yearned to run, do learn to dance, etc. I even tried a few jazzercise classes back in the day - mostly I learned that I'm very uncoordinated! I knew the names of the steps, and I knew the steps...but I could never remember how they went together. Totally uncoordinated!
And yet, I managed to have three active children. Soccer, softball, baseball, swimming classes, basketball, volleyball, tennis - they were into everything. I even ended up being soccer coach one session because the Y was short on coaches. I went to the library and checked out a video........learning the mechanics of the game wasn't terribly important, because out of my 12 kids, only 3 had ever played before. We made one goal all season - on a free kick - and we had, I think, three free kicks throughout the games. My amended goal was that all the kids run the right direction at the right time by the end of season. We made it! And I was probably the only coach who got flowers (all the rest were men).
Even as adults, my offspring have remained active. Son had to keep fit enough to pass National Guard physical requirements for 6 1/2 years. Older daughter has a black belt in tae-kwon-do, does yoga and pilates, and just last week blew out her knee training to run a 5K (no more running, but she can do the other activities). Younger daughter still plays volleyball regularly and is practicing tonight for the KC Corporate Challenge.
Maybe the "activity" gene skips a generation. My mom was a cheerleader in high school and still takes long walks every day the weather permits. She prefers to attack every day with an alarm clock that goes off at 4:30 am. She's rarely still. On the other hand, I always preferred to curl up with a good book or watching TV, even as a kid. So, I'm a bona fide Couch Potato......but thanks to a researcher, I can rest easy knowing it's genetic - I can blame my parents!
TTFN
Mom- you know I love a good book as much as you do, I just like to balance it with working out too. The high you get from a good workout is very similar to the high you get from a good book. Both have their rewards and exercise can be an escape just like a good book, you just have to find something you enjoy! :) You were always our best cheerleader no matter what we did, which is why I think I always attacked every sport/challenge fully! ~Jenny
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