"Muscles Have Memory"

Muscles have memory - a lifeguard and marathon runner said this to me a few years ago and it is one of those pearls of wisdom that has stuck with me over time. In fact, it has been on my mind a lot the last few weeks as I am once again trying to revamp my workout.

I grew up with zero knowledge about health and fitness, other than my mom telling me that cheerios made a better breakfast than captain crunch. I grew up hiding in my bedroom with books and magazines, and chicken nuggets were my staple food choice. By the time I graduated from high school I was overweight, and had never been in good physical shape in my entire life.

It has been an uphill struggle ever since, and it still is, but I appreciate the long term focus of it now. I understand what people mean when they speak of being on a journey towards well being. I tried exercise several times in my early 20's, after my first son was born but I had no idea what I was doing. About seven years is ago is when I first really started thinking about things like strength and overall fitness, reading fitness literature and developing goals for exercise. It was 3 years ago that I reached what I think of as my best physical shape, and a year ago that I started running. Now, in my early 30's, I know a little more, but I still struggle to maintain a steady and regular workout.

The thing that is keeping me going this round is just what I said above, "muscles have memory." I know that my body knows how to do this. My muscles have been strong. My heart has done this before, my legs have carried me up steep hills, and they remember. I am focusing on this, and on what I can do today. And today, today I walked three miles, ran some of it, did a few push ups and finished with some light yoga - and it feels good.