A Declaration of Independence for Your Health

Imagine you wake up one morning and realize that the things you used to do without thinking suddenly aren’t so easy. Your pants are tighter. You’re tired in the middle of the day. Carrying groceries feels heavier. You get winded walking up the stairs, and when you stand up after sitting for a while, your body feels stiff. None of these things happened overnight, but somehow, little by little, they became your new normal.

At what point do you decide that you don’t want this to be your normal?

We all know about the Declaration of Independence, a moment when people decided that things could not continue the way they had been going. Perhaps we occasionally need our own declaration of independence when it comes to our health.

The difficult part is that declining health often happens gradually. We lose a little strength, gain a little weight, move a little slower, sleep a little worse, or have a little less energy. Each change is small enough to explain away. “I’m busy.” “I’m getting older.” “I’ll start exercising when things calm down.”

Of course our bodies change as we age, but getting older doesn’t mean we should simply accept becoming weaker and less mobile without doing anything about it. I started exercising seriously around age 40, and one of the biggest things I’ve learned is how adaptable the body can be when we consistently challenge it.

Your declaration doesn’t have to be dramatic. Maybe it’s three short workouts a week. Maybe it’s walking every day, beginning strength training, working on your flexibility, or simply getting out of your chair more often. You don’t need to become an athlete. You need to start moving in the right direction.

Think about where you want to be 10, 20, or 30 years from now. Be’ezras Hashem, I don’t just want to live a long life. I want the strength and energy to enjoy it, to learn, daven, travel, spend time with family, climb stairs, carry things, and remain as independent as possible.

Maybe it’s time for your own Declaration of Independence.

Not a declaration that you’ll be perfect tomorrow. Just a declaration that you’re no longer going to ignore your health.

Start small. Be consistent. Reclaim your strength.