This past week I was feeling terrible. And this probably had my wife feeling horrible, because I was a bear to deal with. I had constant headaches, felt nauseous, had sinus issues, and a crazy cough. I initially chalked it up to seasonal allergies, but realized I just hadn’t been taking proper care of my body.
photo credit: Ed Yourdon via photopin cc
My sleep habits were terrible, my diet was terrible, and I hadn’t worked out all week! Once I began to address these things I felt better almost instantly, and subsequently so has the health of our relationship.
Opening our eyes to our health
Last week we also received news from friends of ours who were having health challenges. Health challenges that couples our age seem “too young” to be experiencing.
All of this opened me and my wife’s eyes to our habits, and the impact they will have not just on our physical health, but the health of our relationship in the near and distant future.
We know one of the keys to having healthy relationships is our health. [Tweet this]
We can’t be 21 forever
I was a college athlete and continued to play basketball in my post college playing days. So I’ve rarely had any health issues.
Although what I felt last week pales in comparison to health issues other people may be dealing with, it impacted me in a major way. From relationship struggles, to very little productivity at work, to missing out on family time, it wasn’t one of my better weeks.
For the first time in my life, I noticed changes in my body that I wasn’t pleased with. I had felt “out of shape” before, but this was different! I realized I wasn’t the 21-year-old athlete. In fact, I was further from that guy than I even realized.
Better health from better habits
Toward the end of the week I began to notice the bad habits I had developed. I was going to bed late, I was eating anything and everything to the point of feeling stuffed after each meal, and I was barely drinking any fluids (I recognized I was drinking about a half cup of water per day).
I began to get in bed very early. Some nights I even went to sleep before my kids’ bed time. I increased my water intake in a major way, drinking at least 32 ounces, and close to 64 ounces per day. And I stopped eating everything that was put in my face, choosing to eat and drink more fruits and vegetables.
When I woke up Saturday morning it was like night and day. I felt like I could run a 5K and I did…literally.
My wife and I signed up for a 5k several weeks ago. The 5K was Saturday morning. But the way I was feeling all week, I didn’t think we’d be able to do it, especially since I was unable to train during the week. But we did, and I’m proud to say we were able to run the entire 5k, which happened to be my wife’s first 5k!
The rewards of fit and healthy relationships
The experience of completing the 5k was amazing! Especially after all we had gone through the week leading up to it. My wife asked, “when is the next 5k?” This is coming from a person who doesn’t really like running. And I am excited to run more with her. This coming from a person who prefers to run alone, as it is sort of my “me-time.”
I anticipate us spending a lot more time together running, exercising, and prepping and eating healthy meals. I’m especially looking forward to the many rewards which come from fit and healthy relationships.
Below are a few rewards you and your spouse can get when you strive for a fit and healthy relationship.
1. Another form of quality time. When you workout together it gives you one more option for quality time.
2. Longer life together. Marriage is for a lifetime. Physically fit people are less likely to die from disease. Make the lifetime of your marriage last longer by being fit.
3. Better quality of living. When you are not fighting sickness and disease it frees you up to live the life you desire.
4. Accomplish something together. Achieving can be harder working alone. Having someone to work on your goals with is great, even greater when it is your spouse.
5. More and better sex. Studies show couples who work out together and are fit have better sex lives. They feel better about themselves, as well as having an increased testosterone and energy levels. No more, “I’m too tired.” 🙂
You may have come to the humbling realization I came to this week. Or maybe you’ve had some health concerns which are forcing you to change your health habits.
Either way, I encourage you to make your health a priority. Your body and your relationship will be better off because one key to healthy relationships is your health!
What is one thing you can do to improve you and your spouse’s health and fitness? You can leave your comment below.
We are pretty good, but we both have a sweet tooth. It’s ok to reward ourselves, but we don’t want to create bad habits. Great post, Jackie!
Thanks, Adam. It is amazing how bad habits are easier to create than good habits…and how sneaky they are! They really crept up on me.
We are pretty good, but we both have a sweet tooth. It’s ok to reward ourselves, but we don’t want to create bad habits. Great post, Jackie!
Thanks, Adam. It is amazing how bad habits are easier to create than good habits…and how sneaky they are! They really crept up on me.
I had that same creeping crud this weekend, Jackie. One thing I do when this happens is to take a look at my food. I begin drinking vegetable drinks with fruit made with my Vitamix and it makes all the difference. Lots of ice and it’s kind of tropical. There’s spinach, kale, a broccoli head or two, carrot, banana, and orange mango juice plus ice. When my husband and I are consistent with this, we both start waking up earlier and feel like we have clearer heads. Congrats on the 5K. Maybe after I get my knee replaced (Ugh).
Doing that made a huge difference, Linda. I feel like a new person after just a few days! My wife and I have been looking into a Vitamix…I think it is a necessity now. I hope the knee replacement goes well, and you are out there running 5Ks like nobody’s business! 🙂
We got a good deal at Costco…and you can order online through them if they don’t have them in the store. I LOVE it. And about the 5K? Amen, Brother. ;o)
LOL
I had that same creeping crud this weekend, Jackie. One thing I do when this happens is to take a look at my food. I begin drinking vegetable drinks with fruit made with my Vitamix and it makes all the difference. Lots of ice and it’s kind of tropical. There’s spinach, kale, a broccoli head or two, carrot, banana, and orange mango juice plus ice. When my husband and I are consistent with this, we both start waking up earlier and feel like we have clearer heads. Congrats on the 5K. Maybe after I get my knee replaced (Ugh).
Doing that made a huge difference, Linda. I feel like a new person after just a few days! My wife and I have been looking into a Vitamix…I think it is a necessity now. I hope the knee replacement goes well, and you are out there running 5Ks like nobody’s business! 🙂
We got a good deal at Costco…and you can order online through them if they don’t have them in the store. I LOVE it. And about the 5K? Amen, Brother. ;o)
LOL
I agree I need to get back to our workouts. Sometimes life gets to busy but making the time to workout is worth it. Thanks for the reminder!
My pleasure!
Yep, we have to MAKE the time. Easier said than done though.
I agree I need to get back to our workouts. Sometimes life gets to busy but making the time to workout is worth it. Thanks for the reminder!
My pleasure!
Yep, we have to MAKE the time. Easier said than done though.
Jackie, as always, you are spot on with this. My wife told me once while I was in a lazy slump, “Your attitude was better when you were working out every day”. That was the slap in the face I needed. She was right, I was a little more irritable than usual because I was out of my routine.
So then I said to her “Oh yea? Well you know what? You…you…you’re awesome”
🙂
LOL Leo!! Smart man…smart man. 🙂
Jackie, as always, you are spot on with this. My wife told me once while I was in a lazy slump, “Your attitude was better when you were working out every day”. That was the slap in the face I needed. She was right, I was a little more irritable than usual because I was out of my routine.
So then I said to her “Oh yea? Well you know what? You…you…you’re awesome”
🙂
LOL Leo!! Smart man…smart man. 🙂