#12) Take care of your body. How do you take care of your body?

I usually do pretty well at this. Although right now I have a massive cold that I sure didn't see coming! In hindsight, I need to add some more Vitamin C to the diet!

I wasn't always as mindful of my health as I am now, but I don't smoke, I don't drink excessively, and I don't do drugs. I wear a seatbelt in the car and I know how to lift safely, with my legs rather than my back. I spend a lot of time at the gym, usually going four to five days at week on my lunch hour. I take 45 minute classes ranging from body sculpting to Zumba to aerobics workouts. One of my instructors recommended a surging routine which I've done several times over Christmas break. It involves doing 3 sets of 10 on a weight machine, then spending a minute doing an aerobics activity at full speed (jump roping, stationery bike, running the track), then 3 sets of 10 on a different weight machine, and another minute of aerobics activity. I like this sort of routine because you can fit a lot into a short amount of time and it doesn't get monotonous. I'm also fairly active when I'm at home; I do a lot of yard work and when the weather is nice I cycle. I've written before about my week-long cycling vacations.

My diet could use some help, however. I'm well aware that I can't exercise away a bad diet. I'm mindful of the foods I'm putting in my body, how much fat or calories certain foods have, and portion controls. But that doesn't mean that I always stop when I should-- especially over the holidays. Part of the problem is that I'm not very well educated on healthy foods that are easy to prepare. One of my exercise instructors is a body builder who really watches what she eats, but she's also the mother of three children so she cooks for a family. I'd love to see her menus for a few weeks as well as getting cooking instructions on how to prepare the foods she eats. I've decided to ask her if she'll share some ideas. This is an aspect of my health that I still really need to work on.

Overall I think I'm in better-than-average shape for a 58-year-old woman. And if I can get a good diet under control, I'll be doing great!