A little over three weeks ago we started working on the landscaping for our new house. We had friends here the week before that and had spent a week all over the island playing in the ocean and standup paddle boarding. A few weeks before that we had moved and spent the time before our friends arrived painting, arranging furniture and getting the house ready for guest. We were not exactly sitting around on our butts and were dog tired every night when we went to bed. But we were also not keeping up with our regular workout routine… just no time or need.

Who needs a workout when you are working so hard physically anyway? The landscaping alone is a workout, right? It takes a pickaxe to dig a freaking hole!  Besides, I am working two jobs and every free moment I have is spent working on the landscape. I have been spending 3-5 hours a day out there! I just didn’t have time to fit in a regular workout routine.

A week ago today I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon at Kona Community Hospital after ignoring a pulled muscle in my back for a week and ending up with muscle spasms and severe pain. Yes it was the work on the landscape that was the culprit but I don’t think that was all that contributed to this. I can’t help but think that if I had been also keeping up on my workout routine and strengthening my core the injury may never have happened.

So I spent a few days in a drug-induced haze before I decided I could not handle the pills anymore and then I spent 5 more days more or less taking it easy and trying to get better and not further injure myself. Today, feeling a little defeated and fat, I finally said screw it and pulled out one of my trusty P90X DVD’s and prepared for a workout.

I was a bit concerned that I would not be able to complete the workout and I was prepared to stop if I felt like I was hurting myself in anyway. My pulled muscles were still tight and sore after all. But As I got into the workout I realized nothing that I was doing was really hurting. In fact I was getting some relief and finding that things were loosening up back there.

This afternoon my back feels better than it has in weeks and I feel like I will be able to do another routine tomorrow. Once again I am reminded why I workout. I’ve said it before… It just makes me feel better… both physically and emotionally. It helps my old body be strong and less susceptible to injury. Everyone has excuses (me as well), but more and more I am finding that workouts are not so much of an option as they are a requirement for good health and feeling good.

Aloha!