Driven

It has been almost a month since my last post. Wonder why?
I did get pretty busy with what I do for a living and I didn't do much by way of working towards my ultimate dreams.
Ever since I can remember I have been driven to exercise and try to stay in shape. Ever since I can remember, something has always happened that caused me to falter. It could have been excuses, moving, busy, etc. One that really sticks out is INJURY! Why, when I am on a roll working out, do I get injured and fall off the exercise wagon train? I have been asking myself that question a lot lately as my injuries continue to mount. About a month ago I got slammed into the boards playing broomball by some beheamoth far larger than me. Crushed my shoulder, separating it and leaving me in agonizing pain for a few weeks. It has been a month now and I can do some exercises, just no push-ups, triceps, limited biceps, and some back work. So I get to do a lot of core training and legs.
To top it all off I have a nagging foot injury that will not go away. It is like a bruise on the ball of the foot, right behind the 2,3,4 toes. Really painful after running, plyometrics, and leg work.
What is different this time around is that I am committed to keep on keeping on with my workouts. I have changed my routines so that I am still doing something everyday to keep the focus on the task at hand. I do more stretching and core work which is really helping out all areas of my body. Core is the one area that I thought I have figured out by doing situps and crunches. Well, that is only 1/6th of what the core really needs. Core is more like: Abs, Obliques, Adductors, Abductors, hip flexors, glutes, low back, etc. Very large muscle groups that all need to be worked together to get the results that you need, and it takes time to work them properly and it takes time to get the results you want.
I have far less instances with back pain or where I feel vulnerable. My core is so strong now, with a long way to go, that I am committed to keep on working it. Another newer workout for me is plyometrics. WOW is that a fun workout. So given all of my mishaps with nagging injuries, this time I am DRIVEN to keep on keeping on so that I will be in the best shape of my life forever! And I feel GREAT!
So this morning it was a balmy -12 outside, I got bundled up at 5 am, and hit the icy streets. It is really nice running that early in the morning. There is very little traffic, few distractions, just me and Bailey, listening to John Maxwell. It was a great run. When I got home after a mere 4 miles, I started the 1.5hr Yoga routine. I am learning to really enjoy Yoga, as difficult as it is for me to say that. When I first started I was so weak it was pathetic. At least now I can make it respectable and enjoy it. When you really get into it and focus on your breathing and let everything else leave your mind, it is incredibly relaxing. I never thought I'd hear myself say that about Yoga.
The moral of the story is even when you are down, figure out a way to keep on keeping on. Your health is the one thing that will make you happier in later years. Get healthy now before you regret it and you are forced to try and get healthy because of a condition. Consider how much more energy you could have? Consider how much better you will feel about yourself. Consider how much more fun you could have without the restrictions of being out of shape. Consider the reduction in health care costs it could give you!!!!
Get DRIVEN to make a difference starting today.
To your Abundance!
Steve Aune