There’s So Much More To A Healthy Heart
August 21, 2008 by Kelly Turner
Filed under Fitness
I’ve been inspired by in past few days by a lot of people to makie a very important change. MizFit’s call for Random Acts of Kindness, and Susan’s decision to give up caffeine, as well as Scott’s post about overweight people got me thinking.
I spend a lot of time in my own little world, stressing over deadlines and schedules, but when I take a step back, I’ve got it pretty good. My bills get paid, there’s enough left over for fun, I have a great job, home, family and groups of friends.
There’s more to living a healthy lifestyle than your BMI and how much you can bench press. Which led me to my decision.
I went back through my check book, and I spend a disgusting amount of money of Starbucks everyweek: something that isn’t neccessarily good for me, and completely unneccessary.
I mentioned Scott’s post because it upset me this morning. I wrote this peice on fat acceptance a while back, which sparked a great discussion about understanding, compassion, health and being decent to your fellow man. Not so much the post, but the comment left by a reader reminded me of all the hardships people have to face everyday: everything from ridicule, to prejudice, to money troubles, to illness- the list goes on and on.
With some people, its obvious. A dirty man in rags sleeping in business doorway is obviously homeless. An obese person is obviously obese. A severly mentally handicapped woman, is obviously handicapped.
With some people it’s not so obvious. Im sure I pass many people everyday that have JUST lost their houses, or people with cancer that are still fully functional but with grim prognosis’. Or someone that had just lost someone very close to them.
We walk around, quite frankly with our heads up our asses, complaining about having to look at the overweight or step over the homeless, but offering on solutions. I;ve decided to do my part.
I know how much a simple smile or wave from a stranger can uplift my mood. I always say “what’s the point of being healthy if you aren;t happy?” While I spend so much time on keeping my body healthy, I do little to help out the hearts of others. If I can contribute a little happiness to someone else’s day, maybe I can change how they look at things.
So, in a world of fat jokes, the forgotten elderly, or even just the struggling single mom, I am giving up my daily Starbucks to do something for someone else. I’m christening Thursday’s Healthy Hreat Day. Every Thursday I’m going to go out of my way to do something nice for a stranger. Even if they aren;t in obvious need, everyone needs a little something to lift them up everyone in a while. I don’t need to know their story, the only thing i ask it that they pass it on.
I ask you guys to join. Every Thursday do something nice for a stranger and come here and post what you have done. Not for recognition or a pat on the back, but in hopes to inspire someone else to do the same.
Think of the last time someone did something nice for you for no reason. Think of that feeling you got that kept you uplifted all day. Now imagine if everyone did that for one persona once a week. Think of the changes you could make.
It can be as simple as giving a compliment, to buying someone in front of you at the store’s groceries. Offer to carry someone’s bags to their car, or help them across the street.
I haven’t decided what I am going to do today, but my mother is being discharged from her skilled nursing facility on Thursday and I would love to do something nice for the nurses. They are ridiculously underappreciated, and deserve to know that what they do matters. I don’t have much money right now, so I’d like to give something that everyone can use. Any ideas?
People like to say we are a lazy, selfish, fat nation. Well, do something about it. Don’t point fingers and judge and then complain even more when nothing changes. Make it change. A little compassion and understanding goes a long way.
Go out and make a little difference. Then come back here, tell us about it, and let it inspire someone else.
grounded fitness, fitness, health, yoga, pilates, strength training, personal trainer, cardiovascular, cardio, exercise, wellness, weight loss, blog, blogging, fitness blog, weightloss blog, Every Gym’s Nightmare,
Great idea, Kelly. I better get out there and do something…
Great post.
I will do my best.
And the nurses? Don’t underestimate the power of your thank you. From my experience it is particularly nice to keep those who have become close to your mom updated about how she’s doing (if you can).
Now that is a noble profession.
This is SUCH a great idea, Kelly! You are an amazing person with an open heart and an incredibly open mind, as well. I’m totally with you on this! I always try and go out of my way (if I can) to just make someone’s day EASIER. If it makes it better then that’s an extra bonus! But just easier to get through the day… I try and be mindful of that.
YOU ROCK MY SOCKS man :)
Love it Kelly! My friend really helped me out today when I was in a bind and I was trying to think of a way to tell her thank you so I got her a gift card. But before I could give it to her, I ran across an acquaintance that had just gotten some terrible news. So I quickly got a card, wrote her a note and slipped the gift card inside it along with a bottle of new nail polish (what? I have a toe thing). You should have seen her face! Made my WHOLE DAY.
I still have to think of a way to thank my friend and now it’s twice as fun.
Love the positivity and the helpful attitude!
PS> You Seattle renegade,you! Denying the ‘bucks!!
Love the idea!! I gave up my seat on the airplane today – the girls who were in it were so happy. I remember how that felt when I was young and someone did it for me. And then a random man jumped up and gave ME his seat on the subway – I guess everyone’s in the spirit today b/c of you :)
Pay it forward my friend. Pay it forward.
One of my favorite quotes ever is “be the change you wish to see in the world” and you hit the nail on the head with this post. I will take you up on this healthy heart Thursday. A wonderful idea from a wonderful girl!
http://www.modbehav.com
Great post Kelly. I agree and I’m on board.
As for the nurses why don’t you make them some cookies? That’s cheap and I’m sure they would appreciate it. Or, depending on how many there are you could offer to bring lunch or dinner to the shifts. YOu could make a cheap dinner and it doesn’t have to be fancy. Just a thought. :)
does this mean I have to be nice on tues and Thursdays?!
:)
I love hearing these stories- keep ‘em coming!
I ended up buying some cookies at the store and bringing them to the nurses i left a little card that said “thanks for all you do!”
They were a little distracted because my mom’s scooter malfunctioned and drove her through her sliding glass door (!!!) She’s fine- it was safety glass, but a pretty darn good story, lol. She said she was just mad because she really had to go to the bathroom and had to hold it until they cleaned the glass off of her :)
My favorite thing to do is hold the door open for the person who is coming in our out of the building behind me, even if I don’t know them, or they are quite a ways away. I always feel great when I don’t have a door slammed in my face…so I figure, why not pass that along to someone else.
Good for you for thanking the nurses – they really do sooo much that goes unappreciated. We bought a nice gift for the hospice nurse that took care of my dad…she was truly an angel.
Good morning,
I hope you are doing well! I have read your blog and can certainly appreciate what you are trying to achieve. I am the President of Contours Express, a fitness franchise for women in the U.S. and 29 other countries, and we are just now beginning to dive into the blogosphere. As we begin to write our first posts, I thought it may be a good idea to get input from several who have been doing this for a while. If it’s not too inconvenient, I’d love for you to answer these two questions for our first article. We will certainly give you proper credit and provide a link to your blog if you have the time to assist us. Here goes:
• List the 2 or 3 best ways Moms can set good fitness examples for her children
• List the 2 or 3 best ways extremely busy Moms can improve their fitness
Again, I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my email. I hope you have a terrific day!
Kindest regards,
Bill Helton
President
Contours Express, LLC
877-227-2282
http://www.ContoursExpress.com