The Journey to Fitness Begins Within

Dec. 1, 2012 – Lisa Cachia

It’s that time of year when we begin to reflect on the passing 12 months and look toward the future. Acknowledging achievements, coming to terms with losses or changes and visualizing new goals and dreams is all part of the process.

With this in mind, I’d like to guide you on a journey inside yourself. But first please allow me to lay some groundwork.

In my last column, I wrote about injury prevention and how to avoid injury on and off the field. I wrote about acute (sudden) injuries, chronic (nagging long term pain or discomfort) injuries and how to deal with them.

To briefly reiterate, when an acute injury occurs it’s pretty easy to recognize; sharp stabbing pain, swelling, perhaps some blood or disfigurement of a body part are the general signs. And most of us realize some curative action needs to take place as a result.

It’s those pesky chronic injuries that I would like to readdress more specifically.

Our journey requires each of you to be a little patient and very honest with yourself. Take a moment and sit still, close your eyes and take a mental survey of your entire body.

Maybe start at the feet and work your way up. Go deeply into your structure and feel around for sore spots. I think you may find some.

Ask yourself how long has the soreness, stiffness, pain and/or discomfort been there? Did it start off as an acute injury that hasn’t completely healed? Does it get periodically worse? Does it get worse with certain activities or does it prevent you from doing other things you enjoy? Then ask yourself how your body performs under increased demand.

Go ahead close your eyes and begin.

Open your eyes again write down everything you found on your journey into yourself.

Include the answers to the above questions and any other information related to aches, pains and performance that you can think of. Again, be honest with yourself and do not discount anything.

Once you’ve completed your list take a deep breath and call your doctor and schedule an appointment for a physical. Bring the notes about the discoveries you made to your appointment so you don’t forget anything.

If you don’t have a regular physician, find one in your area. Recommendations from friends are always good.

I realize that doctor visits can be uncomfortable or scary and even make us feel quite vulnerable. Think of it this way, if your car had trouble starting or ran sluggishly, you would take it in for a diagnostic exam and do what the expert suggests to get it fixed, right?

The difference here is the fixes to our bodies require more than money. We may need to do most of the work ourselves and there is no loaner or replacement vehicle to be purchased.

The off–season is the time to address any aches and pains large or small. It’s time to adopt a regular maintenance program of exercise, balanced nutrition and rest.

Your body is the vehicle for your spirit on this planet. It is a finely tuned machine that needs regular checkups and consistent care.

So as you look toward next season, give your “vehicle” a well-deserved tune–up so you can continue to run efficiently and enjoy the game… of life!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments at benefitness@comcast.net. Consult your physician before beginning any new exercise program.

Lisa Cachia is a professional trainer and Official Training Consultant to Senior Softball-USA.