2012 Summer Olympics and Walk with Ease: A Perfect Pairing
Aaron Tanaka, KICF Business Office Assistant
As the anticipation of the 2012 Summer Olympics has shifted into first gear, we have even more inspiration to get up, get out and get genki! Professional athletes from around the world have gathered in London to display their athletic skills and hopefully bring home a gold medal for their respective countries. The Olympics have always captivated me as many of the athletes have trained from a very young age in order to reach the pinnacle of their success. It’s amazing to see the human body being pushed/pulled/tossed/thrown to its limits, while experiencing the thrill of success and the agony of defeat.
Back at home in Los Angeles, I am currently participating in the Walk with Ease Program
Sharing Walk with Ease with his family
through Keiro Senior HealthCare’s Institute for Healthy Aging. The program has enabled me to create and maintain my personal exercise action plan and it has also allowed me to look into how I would like to invest in my long term health goals. The six-week program is slowly coming to an end and I must admit that it went by really fast! I enjoyed using the guidebook as a navigation tool so that I wouldn’t get distracted by unrealistic goals and/or commitments. It was also refreshing to share stories and hear feedback from other participants. I found this kind of support to be the most valuable as we were able to discuss our individual exercise plans, go out on walks together and even have a laugh or two about the journey we were embarking on. For some, the Walk with Ease program was an introduction to a more formal and structured plan. For others, it complimented an exercise program already in place. Personally, I am using the program for both purposes and it seems to be working quite well! My walks around the neighborhood are more purposeful and focused. My mini-walks/jogs on the treadmill add another layer to my regular routine. I’ve also learned to take rest periods and properly hydrate in order to minimize the effects of fatigue.
Olympians are Aaron’s inspiration!
Of course, maintaining my walking plan was not always an easy “walk in the park.” I had my moments of self-doubt as pesky excuses seemed to creep in: “It’s too hot” or “I’m too tired” or “I would rather watch the Olympics than exercise.” Excuses or not, I tried to stick with my goals and continue on. Even though some days were more challenging than others, I made it a point to look back at the agreement I had with myself and keep going. The timing of the Summer Olympics couldn’t be more appropriate as the athlete’s energy and determination helped me get through the tougher days and ganbatte. For this, I’d like to thank the Olympians for allowing me to vicariously live their dream through their triumphs and tribulations. I’d also like to thank YOU for taking the time to read my blog and for making an active decision to invest in your own health today!
The material presented on this site is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily represent the opinions of Keiro Senior HealthCare, The Institute for Healthy Aging at Keiro, or its contributors. Readers should consult appropriate health, legal, or financial professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. Full disclaimer
