Moving around and being active are much better terms than exercise when we talk about what's needed for general health. Just exercising for 30 minutes a day and sitting and lying down for the rest of the day makes for a pretty stiff body and mind. I know because for the longest time I didn't have a choice in the matter. But when I was able to exercise for 30 minutes again a part of me hoped I was healthy again because that's what I've been told for so long by media, government, school, etc..
Throughout the years of building up my body again from long lasting illness, I've felt at multiple stages that I probably function best when I'm moving around 3-4 hours a day. This doesn't mean exercise perse it can mean going for a walk, doing household chores, and being active in hobbies. The sedentary lifestyle of just sitting behind a computer, writing, reading, and other "activities" that involve mostly just moving your hand and or your eyes, it's not actively moving your body.
At the moment I've built up again to where I'm exercising daily doing stretches and core exercises for 5 days a week in varying degrees of intensity for about 20 to 40 minutes, the 2 other days are for Asana yoga for 40 minutes. Next to that I regularly walk for about 30-40 minutes. Every day I ride my bicycle for an average of 7-8 kilometers plus I do my pelvic exercises to keep my pelvic straight but that can hardly be categorized as exercise. According to "the professionals" this would be more than enough but it isn't.
I'm already so glad that I'm able to do household chores again. Doing the dishes, vacuuming, laundry, etc. they're all active as well and they add to the 3-4 hours a day of moving around that makes me feel better. Yet when I'm even more active, I feel better. Dare I say, I feel like I did when I was a kid. My body is flexible, all parts are functioning as they should, and my mind and energy feel completely different as well, better, a lot better.
Biggest Dutch flag I think I've ever seen btw. It was massive. I love it!
Tall Ship Races 2022 Harlingen
About 3 years ago, I bought this wonderful online exercise program to build up strength and do a kind of acrobatic yoga. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to follow along at all because of the problems with my hamstrings. That was a total bummer. But then I started the stretches that I've been doing for a couple of years now, after that the yoga, and the realignment of my pelvis this January had a big impact on my legs and lower back so I think I'm all good for this program now. I just can't fit everything in a day. This last holiday combined with my latest day out to the Tall Ship Races in Harlingen made it clear to me that before I start focusing on cool tricks, I need to work on my endurance. I honestly follow so many awesome yogis and yoginis that can do the most amazing things with their bodies and I want to be in their group so bad but I have to be patient for a bit longer.
Last year, I ended up doing a deep dive into India and Nepal when I was learning more about the history of aura healing and reading a.k.a. my life's work, and I came across a training schedule for hiking in the Himalayas as the Himalayas aren't something you can get around when researching Nepal. The Netherlands is about the flattest country on earth so to practice and prepare for these hikes abroad it's advised to pack your backpack with weights to build up strength and endurance. Although I have no desire to ever summit any mountain it seems like a pretty cool and doable training schedule, especially over a long period of time. I can't possibly start where the program suggested at 3 hours a day for 3x a week and progress to 3 hours a day with carrying 9 kilos on your back the next week but I've got my first walk in today. 1,5 hours in pretty warm weather and I seem to be recovering alright. Now, I'll continue to do that on top of all of my other exercises, activities, and work for 3 times a week, and build up from there. So maybe, in 6 months to a year, I'm finally strong enough to live my life the way I most desire and joyning the cool acrobatic yogi club. Until then let's persevere!!!
Much love,
Illkiller
Ps. I always write these posts and then I save them to give them a final read through and make adjustments at a later time. So, it's a few days later now and a pretty significant change has occurred already....stay tuned