In Just-
Spring when the lame
middle-aged man
runs far and wee!
And the ground-beneath
is puddle-painful
From too-much running too soon,
As the hobbled, middle-aged man
limps slow—ly far and wee!
The above is my take on e.e. cummings’ classic “In Just Spring” https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47247/in-just after my first run in Spring. Everyone wants to get out and lose those 10 pounds of insulation gained during the Winter months. But before you go out and become the little lame woman or man, here are five rules to follow In Just Spring.
1. Take it Slow—Walking that extra mile or two is always tempting when the weather gets warm and the bluebonnets are out. That is precisely what my wife and our dog Boots attempted to do on the trails on Brushy Creek. Even stopping at a sandwich shop for a quick bite, we struggled to make it back to our car. We dragged our 70-lb., huffing Bernese Mountain dog the last few yards. We are still recovering!
The lesson learned is simple. Do not overdo it with the first flowers of Spring. In the winter, it is a struggle to get out and about (read how so in this blog: https://weightlossleadership.com/2018/12/09/baby-its-cold-outside-but-exercise-anyway/ ). Now that the weather is more conducive to exercise don’t try to catch up all in one day. Take your time to slowly build up your miles, so you, too, don’t become the little lame woman or man (or dog!).
2. Do the essential – A corollary to the first rule is to focus on the essential. In his book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, Greg Mckeown says that the key to success in health and life is to do “less but better”. When waking up after our winter fog, it is tempting to try everything at once to get fit. Understandably, we are excited to get swimsuits ready for the summer. So we take up the latest diet, try many fitness fads, and buy the newest exercise equipment from Amazon. But it is better to focus on the essentials. Track the food you eat diligently, get plenty of sleep, and focus on the now. Don’t do everything! Do the essential well to enjoy the Spring and the new you.
3. Stretch! – I know we all want to take off with the first hint of the Bluebonnets in Texas. But doing any exercise, even walking, without first stretching is a recipe for becoming the little lame middle-aged man or woman in my earlier poem. Take time to stretch even if you are similar to me and do not like stretching. And when you have the flexibility of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz, such as myself, you need to lubricate the joints as you follow the Yellow Flowered Road.
4. Drink Water – The temperature rise during the day can sneak up on you, especially when you live in Texas. So it is important to bring your water bottle to avoid becoming dehydrated just as you are about to take a photo of that beautiful cardinal or frolicking bunny that happened on your path. Make sure you also scope out the bathroom situation ahead of time. I don’t know about you, but I avoid drinking water when I do not know where my next bathroom break is.
5. Be in the Moment – The flowers are in bloom, and the sun is out. It is time to focus on the now and enjoy the new life of Spring. One way to take it slow is to take in nature. Sit on a bench. Take a picture. Lie in the bluebonnets like Boots the dog! Clear your mind of anxiety and enjoy the blooming beauty all around you.
Boots enjoying Nature
