“Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.”
~Robert Schuller
I sat down for coffee with an old friend I hadn’t seen in quite some time. Her story touched my heart, and I hope it touches yours too.
I remember the day I realized that I needed to make a change.
“I was sitting on my couch, tired and sluggish, and I knew something had to give. My doctor had warned me for years that my sedentary lifestyle was putting me at risk for various health problems, but I had always found excuses to avoid exercise. I was too busy. I was too tired. I didn’t have the motivation.
But that day, something clicked.
I realized that I wasn’t just risking my health but missing out on life. I wanted to hike, swim, dance, and travel without feeling winded and exhausted. I wanted to feel strong, vibrant, and alive.
So, I committed myself to start moving my body every day.
It wasn’t easy initially – I was out of shape and easily discouraged. But I started small, with just a few minutes of gentle yoga or walking around the block. And as I started to feel a little bit better each day, I craved more movement.
Before I knew it, I ran, lifted weights, and took group fitness classes.
I discovered a whole new world of physical activity that I had never explored before, and it was exhilarating. But more than that, exercise transformed my life in ways I could never have imagined.
As I started to get stronger and fitter, I also found that my mood lifted.
I was more energized, more focused, and more confident. I started tackling other areas of my life that had previously seemed insurmountable, like my career goals and personal relationships. I even started to feel more connected to my community as I joined running groups and fitness classes and met new friends who shared my passion for healthy living.
But the real turning point came a few years later when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
It was a devastating blow, and I felt like my world had been turned upside down. But even in the darkest moments of chemotherapy and surgery, I never lost my commitment to exercise. I continued moving my body as much as possible, even when I felt weak and exhausted.
And you know what? Exercise saved my life.
Not just because it helped me recover more quickly from surgery and treatment but because it gave me a sense of purpose and hoped when everything else felt bleak. It reminded me that I was strong, resilient, and capable of overcoming even the toughest challenges.
Today, I am cancer-free and stronger than ever before.
I still exercise every day, not just because it’s good for my body, but because it’s good for my soul. It reminds me that I am alive and that every day is a gift to be savored and cherished. And for that, I will be forever grateful for the power of exercise.”
Post script~ she wants to remain anonymous, but I can share with you that she is now 11 years cancer free and is the proud mom of two boys. She is competing in the Boston Marathon this April. ~ blessings.
