As I sit here resting with ice on my shoulder before my walk, I’m reminded of something I wish more people understood: movement is not optional. It’s not a luxury. It’s not a hobby. It’s part of being alive.
And dare I say it?
Activity. Exercise. Motion. Whatever word you choose — your body is asking for it every single day.
One of the biggest joys in my practice is when a post-op patient looks me in the eye and asks, “When can I start working out again?”
We go through their routine together. We talk about weights, about yoga, about walking the dog. We create a plan that honors their healing but feeds their spirit. Because wanting to return to activity tells me something essential: this person cares about the stewardship of their own body.
And then, there are the moments that break my heart a little.
“I don’t like to walk.”
“I don’t like water.”
Two simple statements that reveal so much — and not in the way people think.
Because the truth is this:
You cannot expect to feel good, look good, recover well, age well, or live well… if you reject the two most fundamental life forces your body is designed to thrive on: movement and hydration.
Movement Isn’t a Workout — It’s a Way of Life
I’m not asking anyone to run a marathon, lift iron, or become an athlete.
Movement doesn’t have to be dramatic. It doesn’t have to be competitive or social-media-worthy.
Look at cities like New York. Europe. Asia. South America.
People walk because that’s simply how life works there. They walk to get groceries, to meet friends, to reach the subway. It’s not exercise — it’s culture.
And because of that, people often look healthier without even trying.
Their bodies are being used as they were meant to be used.
Here in many parts of the U.S., we have lost that instinct. Cars take us everywhere. Sedentary living has become normal. And then we wonder why we feel inflamed, exhausted, disconnected from ourselves.
Movement is not punishment.
Movement is circulation.
Movement is metabolism.
Movement is joint health, lymphatic drainage, mental clarity, hormone balance, emotional release.
Movement is LIFE.
The Reality I Wish More People Understood
You don’t have to “like” walking.
You just have to do it.
You don’t have to wait for motivation.
Movement creates motivation.
And water?
Your body is literally made from it.
Skin, metabolism, recovery, cognition, energy — all depend on hydration. Yet people treat water like an optional beverage.
If you want to feel good — not just look good — start with the basics your body begs for:
- Move daily. Even 10–20 minutes. Walk a dog, walk alone, walk while on the phone, walk around the block.
- Drink water. Consistently. Not just when you remember.
The most beautiful thing about humans is that we are adaptable. The body responds quickly and generously when you give it these two simple gifts.
So today, before you tell yourself you’re too busy or you don’t feel like it, ask:
“What message do I want to send my body?” Because whether you move or stay still… your body listens
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