Last month my grandson invited me to come to Vancouver for a very special occasion. He was competing in the World Championships of Public Speaking. I went along to watch him deliver a speech in front of a large crowd at the Vancouver Convention Centre. After the event, we went back to his home in California to spend time with him.

To reach Vancouver, I was travelling with my daughter and his younger brother from Australia and I was really looking forward to the trip.

Everything was organised my luggage. Insurance, medication, passport and tickets; I was ready for my trip to Vancouver and everything was going well.

The one thing that I hadn’t taken into consideration was my fitness. I was suprised to realize that despite my best efforts I couldn’t keep up with everyone. I was exhausted and needed to rest much more than I planned.

I was lucky that I had the support of my family. I felt awful about my inability to keep up.

I felt ashamed that I had let myself get to this state, and there was little I could do while on the holiday, except make a determined decision to never let this happen to me again.

It is so easy to procrastinate about keeping a healthy body. I would promise my family and myself that I would start to do some exercise, then I would tell myself I’ll start tomorrow.

Now that I am back home, I am getting ready for my next trip; the difference is that this time my preparation will be different.

Each morning I tell myself, “today you are the youngest you will ever be, so today you better start becoming fit.”

It has just been a little over two weeks, I drink more water. Eat only healthy food, keep my mind positive and I have started a simple exercise routine.

Funny enough people say when they see me ‘that the holiday has done wonders; you seem so full of life and energy.’

So I guess my attitude to life and fitness is beginning to work already.

I am sharing this with you because I want to be the best person that I can be and I am sure that you do as well.

I am eighty two years young and if I can do it so can you.

Don’t let unfitness creep up on you and your next adventure.

– Nancy