As most of you know, my charming, delightful husband had a crash on his bicycle last week. Thankfully, he never rides without a helmet, and it probably saved his life. However, he is now laid up on the couch recovering from surgery on a badly broken elbow. While we are both very happy that there are not more serious injuries, there is one aspect of a broken elbow that is pretty difficult to overlook…

He only has use of one hand while he is recovering.

I have heard him say several times that, “you take for granted having use of both your hands until you lose one.”

Despite being in a lot of pain, the most difficult part of this whole ordeal for him is that he won’t be able to ride his bike for while or really be any more active than walking. While walking is a great way to enjoy nature, get some fresh air and some exercise, for someone who is used to pushing themselves routinely to the point of near-vomiting, it’s hard to sit still. Sometimes we just don’t realize how capable we are until that capability is taken away.

The fact that humans even exist on a day to day basis is pretty amazing. The things that humans do, even in the face of an astounding “disability”, that go above and beyond anything that was considered even remotely possible are even more amazing. Why, then, do some of us limit ourselves with “I can’t?”

Exercise is not just a means to better physical fitness. Of course, that is one of the side effects. However, when we exercise with regularity our fitness increases in every aspect of our lives. Quality of sleep improves, leading to more productive time at work and with friends and family. When we fuel our bodies with quality nutrition to support exercise our bodies run like a well-oiled machine. Mental clarity increases. That rush of endorphins makes you feel like you can take on the world. Truth be told, you can.

In fact, you are OBLIGATED to. You owe it to yourself, to those you love, and to those who love you to be the best version of you that you possibly can. So pay your debt.

Get up off the couch. Move, breathe, and enjoy everything that your capability grants you.