Gotta keep moving

One byproduct of living a more active life is that I’m also stiffer. Mornings have always been stiff and slow, but now after a half-hour of activity or exercise, I creak like the Tin Man. I think that
is primarily because once I get moving, I don’t keep moving.

After a hot shower following my morning walk, I feel strong and agile. But then I grab a cup of coffee and settle in behind the computer where I write for three or four hours a day and I tighten up.

Fitness trainers encourage everyone, with or without arthritis, to spend a few minutes every hour stretching. Loosen your neck and shoulders, stretch the calves and work the hamstrings. Muscles and joints that don’t move – atrophy. I get it. Yet I fail to do it. I get caught up in what I’m working on and think about stretching only after I can’t stand up to do it. This week, I’ve posted a reminder on my computer. Note to self: Get up, Stretch, Move – Do Something.

I’ll let you know how it goes.