#10 Muscles

Tonight, I received a call from my four-but-soon-to-be-five-year-old nephew, and he said something like, "Aunt Jenn, I'm a muscle man." Now, who knows where that came from... This same nephew was coached to respond to the question "Where's the beach?" by putting his arm in a 90 degree angle and changing the direction of his flexing muscle (see my imitation at the beach in Cape Cod last summer, below).


Yes, a muscle man. Yes, muscles are important not just for this child but for all of us. I've been taking a muscle sculpting class through the local parks and recreation program here in Arlington, and it really stretches me. The first week of class, I could barely walk, sit, or stand -- let alone something as arduous as climbing stairs -- without the groans of my muscles, unused to doing so many squats or lifting so many weights. The class is challenging, and I do things there that I would never push myself to do in the gym alone. I routinely feel stiff or sore for the day after class, but I like it. It lets me know that my body works and that it is becoming stronger.

Our world supports mental acumen and comfort over physical strength all of the time. There is not much in my daily life that is strenuous. I've heard many stories of soreness and physical fatigue here in the DC area following the snowstorms -- yes, it takes muscles to shovel the walk and just to trudge through snow and over ice. Sometimes when I realize how easy my life is and how unprepared I am (this muscle toning class is a constant reminder) for physical challenges, I am a bit sad but also grateful. Our bodies are so amazing and powerful--take a look at the Olympics for extreme examples of how practice and dedication can transform ordinary people into superhuman athletes.

It seems wonderful that I still have a chance to be a muscle man, or woman, as the case may be. I may never be a speed skater or slalom skier, but I can use my muscles and maintain a level of fitness that leaves me prepared for the next snow storm, sprint on the beach during vacation, or chasing my little nephew and niece around when I have a chance. So, in the morning and again next week, I will push myself out from behind my computer and the comforts of my home to my class so that I can be reminded of the strength, power, and health that I am fortunate to have!