I don't want to sound all drill sergeanty, but there are a lot of you that can move a whole lot more than you are, but you're not.   If you're tired of feeling stagnant and tight, it's time to make a change.

Remember when you were a kid?  You didn't just walk or run... or jog.  You raced, rolled, flailed, wiggled, nodded, skipped, tromped, flopped, kicked and twirled.  You dove, jumped, shimmied, hopped and scooted.  Yippeee!!!  Most of us felt free and happy and full of energy.  Even if you weren't such a pretty sight, no one thought twice about seeing you snake through the grass, cannonball into the pool or leap through the air.  Even those with limited movement... moved.

Then, life happened.  You grew up.  You stopped moving like that - for fun, I mean.  Now, you move when you have to or because someone told you to.  Where is the fun in that? 

Do any of these situations apply to you?

1.  It was called 'playing' when you were little but later it became 'exercise'.  So you stopped...

2.  Eventually it wasn't cool to do cartwheels through the living room or shoulder rolls off the picnic table in the park.  So you stopped...

3.  You weren't very good at organized sports or structured excercise,  or you were embarrassed to try/continue.  So you stopped...

4.  You have a disability that you think prevents you from "moving".  So you don't...

5.  Your have no rhythm and feel like a goofball when you dance or do aerobics.  So you don't...

6.  You used to work out, but now you're too busy and can't get back in the groove.

7.  You think you need to join a class or go to the gym for permission to move.

8.  You want to move more, but you just don't know how or where.

9.  You have a sore back...knees...hips...whatever.  WHATever.

10.  You'd rather sit around and watch tv or play video games.

Okay, I get it.  But c'mon.  Wouldn't it be nice to move a little, for fun?  It's time to get out of your head, out of your bed, off the couch and into the groove.  Let's break it down.

Everyone knows the health benefits of exercise.  There are plenty.  I'm not going to get into that.  All I'm asking is that every time you think about it... just move.  Even if it is nothing more than stretching or adjusting your position.  Or how about breathing deeper?  Try it.  In through the nose, out through the mouth... 

Try waving your arms in the air, or wiggling your butt when no one is looking (or when everyone is looking).  Sing "I like to move it, move it.  I like to move it, move it." while doing the sphynx across the floor.  Move your head from side to side, or back to front.  Stretch your hands and wiggle your fingers.  Laugh and giggle, expanding your chest.

More?  Scrunch your butt cheeks together over and over while you're sitting at a stop light.  Do little tummy crunches while you're still in bed in the morning, before you get up.  Take the stairs.  Park farther away from the entrance.  Walk the course instead of taking the cart.

Next thing you know you'll be breathing easier and feeling stronger.   You'll be taking walks after dinner or making up a goofy dance while getting dressed in the morning.   Then you'll be turning off the tv and turning up the music so you can dance around the house...in your undies (okay, I'm getting out of hand, I know.)  But I tell you, movement is liberating!!  It doesn't have to be structured or organized at all.  It can be just you feeling like shaking your groove thing.  How's that for freedom? 

I was moved to write this because this week is National Multiple Sclerosis Week.  Several of my good friends have MS and through their struggles I see what it means to be able to move and how precious it is.  We take it for granted.  The MS Society's slogan is "move it."  They are asking people to help them move toward a world free of MS through various opportunities such as "Walk MS", "Bike MS", along with donation and volunteer opportunities.   Very clever.  We encourage you to learn more.

What's got YOU stifled?  For me, although I hike and/or walk every day, I noticed that I just don't move outside of a certain range anymore.  Hip shaking and arm wiggling are no longer in my daily vocabulary of movement, so to speak, and my range of motion is getting limited.  I don't take the many, many opportunities I have every day to stretch and kick and twirl.  I don't make enough grand gestures.  That stops now.  Now, I'm a stretcher and a kicker and a twirler.  Now, I make big, bold gestures.  Join me!  Put a sign on your mirror, you desk, your tv and your fridge reminding you to MOVE IT.

Need some props?  Check out Allegro's 10 Products Under $20 to Get You Moving.

Right now I'm going to do lunges all the way to the bathroom.  Yes I am.  Here at work, past everyone's desk.  I will get some laughs, and I'll probably lose my balance for sure, but what the heck.  I'm moving!!  How do you move it?  Tell me below, please.

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