You Don’t Appreciate What You Have Until It’s Gone

“You don't know what you have until it's gone.” It’s one of the oldest forlorn sayings in the world—and one of the truest. Somehow, things are more valuable to us when we don’t have them than when we did. Health is one of these things. 

We talk a lot about appreciating and valuing your health while you’re healthy, and not just when you get sick or injured. I had to get a hernia fixed and have had to chill for a few days. I got the hernia from my second pregnancy and just waited a while to get it fixed. Can I tell you how bored I was of relaxing? And even though I mentally knew I would have to lay low, I was already over it!

It goes back to taking care of your health and realizing that a mobile body is a gift that should be treasured. Looking cute in your jeans and bikini is all well and good, but how about the release one gets from exercise? I can’t imagine how people live day in and day out without some kind of regular exercise. No wonder so many of us are ready to blow a gasket! 

Exercise isn’t just about “oh, I have to go torture myself in the gym to lose weight.” Exercise is about keeping emotionally balanced and actually creating more energy through movement. And, like health, energy is one of those things where you don't realize what you have until it's gone.

We all live such stressful lives that are jam-packed with things that need to get done. Everyone is exhausted, and, most likely, not sleeping well. Over time this compounds itself and everything else in our system goes haywire. Drink water, move, eat well, get plenty of rest, chill when you can, and keep your stress low. This is a code we all need to stick to.

Another thing I’ve noticed, is how stiff I get from not moving. There is nothing harder on your body than being sedentary. Blood flow and oxygen are key. 

Don’t wait until you can’t move to realize how much you could enjoy moving. Get out there and use that body for one of the things it was made for! You will see my cranky self on the other side. Even I know when it’s time to rest it’s time to rest, and there is never a good reason to force the time on healing. 

All this extra time just makes me think. It’s true: You never know what you have until it's gone.