Motion is Lotion

The holidays are approaching, and the first thing humans think of is "Oh god, more food and more celebrations and more everything!" I have a different view, and it's not a popular one AT ALL. How about we follow the age-old adage of Less is More? Less food, celebrations, drama, alcohol, spending money on unnecessary gifts, meanness, everything.

The only action that needs to be MORE of is motion (and love, of course). I swear, it appalls me how many humans aren't moving. And I'm not referring to the professional, hardcore athletes who thrive on motion to keep their sponsors and money rolling in. I'm talking about the regular Joe's who feel the most movement they do all day: a walk to the fridge, a walk around the block with the dog, maybe parking further away from the grocery store to walk inside, or even playing with children. All of this is a solid effort, don't get me wrong.

But real motion involves awareness, motivation, inspiration, and desire. I believe we've lost that. Case in point: I move daily, day in and day out. Ask my husband, Greg. He claims I'm like a whirlwind buzzing around the house and yard from sunup to sundown. It's true. I love to be in motion, and it serves me well—until it doesn't.

I've tweaked my knees, back, shoulders, you name it, to stay as mobile as possible. I can do every task involving heavy lifting and using all my muscles. And, I have overcome the pity of being an older woman who is now in my 60s. I still feel able and agile. However, I do get sore and need to take Epsom salt baths A LOT to recover. But what strikes me as useful for longevity is keeping your body in motion until the day you die. I swear by this mantra.

It's a stretch for some and a bygone lazy conclusion for others. Since I was a little girl I've been in constant motion. I was on every sporting team since grade school. I began as a youngster with cheerleading, gymnastics, running, softball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and ballet. Then triathlons, mountain biking, and marathoning well into my 30s and 40s. I must have had a genetic code in my blood that said "Take on all sports and excel the best you can." Because you can.

I wear no badge of honor and I never thought twice about giving up. It was only when my coaches would let me know my grades sucked and I had to focus more on schoolwork than recess. Or I had to trade the after-school physical fitness curriculum with a more academic curriculum. I tried to but I failed at it. I was born to move and move all day.

Think about how our bodies are designed. We are an impeccable work of art walking around in this world. Muscles, ligaments, bones, connective tissue, blood, organs—how much we adore and abuse our bodies is amazing. I'm guilty of this on all levels. I love red wine. I love potato chips and olives with my red wine. I love to relax with 'said' red wine and junky food. But then again, I make up for it with healthy meals morning and afternoon, and a good chunk of exercise most of the day. Am I a saint? Gosh, no.

However, I do make motion and movement the core of my day. I can thank Wizard for that. He's so high energy; it's almost off the charts. And yet, he has supreme moments of relaxation and recovery. I could learn a thing or two from him.

But now I have to rant for a minute. Please, for the love of God or Source or Gaia, or whomever, MOVE YOUR BODY! Put down the remote, get off the couch or comfy computer chair, turn off the news that doesn't serve well, and let your body do what it naturally wants to do. Motion is lotion. Even though I've been in the writing industry for over 10 years, I was knee-deep in the fitness and wellness industry for 25 years so I can say that based on experience. I still ascribe to the philosophy of getting up and getting going.

Today, all of our illnesses and dis-eases can be traced back to hereditary precursors and a lack of proper nutrition and movement. We have been conditioned to rely on technology to get us through the days, yet the new waves of technology are killing us. We've gotten lazy, privileged, and uneducated to the point of allowing stupid foods into our bodies and never moving them to their proper forms.

Okay, deep breathing here as I see and hear all the latest and greatest trends in fitness and nutrition, whereby some of them (probably, most of them) don't make sense. But you know what? Go back several decades and you'll find that the tried and true method of the best body awareness is your intuition. Trusting your gut is a true statement. How many times have you eaten something over and over again only to realize it doesn't serve your body well? You gain weight, you feel like sh*t, and you don't move anymore.

Imagine the ocean waves and how they constantly move. High tide to low tide and full circle back again. When the three of us venture over to the beach, we aren't sure what to expect from the ocean's motion. It changes all the time. Winds, tides, dogs, people, it's a barrage of 'hmm, what will this day bring?' Mother Nature reminds us how to ebb and flow like a tide, moving within the world and letting the currents take us. A willingness is vital to motion. If you believe your body can move as nature intended then it certainly will.

I look at Wizard and how playful he is on the beach. He is like my little guru--running up and down the sand, frolicking with other dogs who are game, and showing me that his sturdy 15 lb. body can do almost anything. Between the ocean's motion and our pups' movement in life, what could possibly deter us from their example?

On that note, I wish you the best holiday time with family and friends. I wish you the feeling of taking your body to the next level of whatever movement calls to you. I wish you up time and down time, but most importantly, time outdoors and time with your body--that beautiful work of art we were blessed with and given to honor its sacred soul, heart, muscles, blood, organs, ligaments, bones, you name it and we worship it.

Remember to love BIG, too.

All the best in health and motion,

Gerry Ellen xoxo