I’m pretty focused when it comes to finances. I have my debts, my monthly bills, my charitable giving, and my cash spending. It’s all fairly organized in my ‘perfect’ little world.

I didn’t care to think outside the box… until this morning.

I’ve been whining lately about my inability to run as a form of exercise. While out walking, a marathon group ran by and I was tempted to join. I watched as they gleefully jogged down the street, smiling and enjoying the beautiful sunshine day. Sigh. I trudged at my slow pace and frowned.

When doing my yoga routine, I am angered because, even though my stomach isn’t huge, it gets in the way of a really great bending stretch. My balance is also thrown off and my ‘Standing Trees’ look more like ‘Standing Trees in a Hurricane’.

Even though I’m overjoyed about the wonderful growing baby, I get frustrated when my body doesn’t move like it used to. The only thing keeping me sane is the fact that I’ll have a bouncing baby soon and my body (hopefully) will return to normal.

I was watching the news this morning and it featured a new sports center for the disabled. Only 1 out of 10 people with disabilities exercise since their bodies limit the amount they can do. Often, they don’t know how to work out with bodies that refuse to cooperate. This sports center works to train people how to exercise while working within their limits. The news anchor interviewed one of the employees who suffers from muscular dystrophy. His athletic body was slowly turning into one that didn’t work and he was helping others overcome their difficulties while dealing with his own.

My whining suddenly seems sooo… um.. wow. There isn’t a word mean enough to describe my whining.

The news station was taking donations to help buy some much needed equipment for the facility. No, I couldn’t pigeonhole this expense into my very strict spreadsheet of spending, but I guess I learned to be a little more fluid.

I may not be able to ‘give like no one else’, but I can still give.

Think outside the finance box.



  1. Jen responded:

    Great post! And what a cool idea…I wish there was something like that in my neck of the woods. I have a brain injury, which has made it difficult to exercise on a consistent basis. When I first sustained my TBI, I lost 35 pounds in 6 months due to being nauseous and my body “forgetting” to eat and/or rejecting anything I did eat. Then the meds caused me to gain 45 pounds. (Right before my wedding..GRRR!)

    For the past year, I’ve been trying to get to my goal weight. I’ve lost and kept off 25, but still need to lose about 20-25. Vertigo and balance issues limit me because I need to exercise somewhere safe, and if they are severe on a particular day, it’s dangerous for me to exercise. Limiting your diet can only do so much.

    This really hits home for me. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Shannon responded:

    Perspective is everything, isn’t it? I also have a medical condition that prevents me from working out as much as I would like. (i randomly pass out…fun times!) It sucks. I wish there was a place like this around here…I’m terrified to go for a walk by myself, never mind hit the gym alone. Would you mind sharing the name of the place, so those of us who would like to give to this particular cause could? Thanks!

  3. Maria responded:

    It’s perfectly ok for you to exercise during your pregnancy. In fact, it’s good to maintain the same level as before you were pregnant. After a while, it will get harder because you’ll be carrying around more weight but I wouldnt stop doing the things you used to do because it will be harder to get back into shape after the baby is born.
    You should talk to your doctor but if you’re in fairly good shape now, it wont hurt the baby at all.

  4. Justin responded:

    I wouldn’t worry about not being able to run. I’m 26 and even though I can run, I prefer to walk!

    Walking is a lot more relaxing and not as tough on your body. Plus you get almost all of the benefits of a long distance run, although sprints are a little different.

    ALl that to say- no worries! Life is good!

  5. Lizzie responded:

    What an amazing idea and a great way to encourage people who feel super discouraged about fitness! Hopefully they will inspire more centers to be created for those that can’t just “hop on a treadmill”. Great post Beks!!!

  6. KLM responded:

    Even when I hate exercising, I remind myself that I’m lucky to be able to exercise. The video I linked to is excellent motivation.

  7. KLM responded:

    I fail at linking

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obdd31Q9PqA

  8. Beks responded:

    Maria – My doc gave me the OK to do any/all exercises but it feels weird to run so I don’t. Also, it’s getting harder to do certain exercises around my belly and I get annoyed that the modifications make the exercises easier. I’m such a whiner!

  9. mikey responded:

    Nice.

    But my fave part is “I’ll have a bouncing baby soon”

    YAY!

  10. Sarah responded:

    When I was pregnant, I found a warm pool that had adaptive water aerobic classes. Swimming/water aerobics is great when you are pregnant and feel awkward with your changing body. Maybe you could find something like that. I think the one I did had a drop in fee so it wasn’t a huge financial commitment.

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