Recently moving to Arizona from Illinois, one of mine and my fiancés first destinations was to hike to Havasupai Falls in the Grand Canyon.  The pictures looked simply spectacular and we made it a priority. Experiencing this beautiful part of our country really reminded me of why exercise and being healthy is such an important part of my life.  This trip is not easy by any stretch of the imagination: 10 mile hike dropping an elevation of 2000 feet through intense heat and fairly rough terrain, doing all-day hikes with climbing and swimming, then hiking the 10 miles out at night with a full moon to guide us, up the 2000 foot elevation with the last ¾ mile of climbing that would put any stair-master workout to shame.  After climbing out of the canyon, pretty exhausted, I reflected on this wonderful experience.  I hiked the Grand Canyon! I saw all its glory by day and by night.  I felt the mist of some of the most spectacular falls in the world, climbed behind them and jumped 20 feet into water the brightest blue-green you could’ve  ever imagined and swam and relaxed  with my fiancée and new friends  in pools of water that seemed as if they were right out of Eden.

My perspective changed quite a bit after that trip.  Living a balanced and healthy life, which includes exercise, is a means to experience the possibilities that life has to offer.  Whether it be: hiking the Grand Canyon, playing soccer at the park with your children, swimming with your grandchildren, bounding the steps at work, or taking a walk and experiencing a beautiful sunset, exercise is a means to experience life at its fullest.

So for those of us that equate the word exercise to a burden that we have to do, maybe we are missing out on something here.  Maybe exercise can be a bridge to help us further create or enhance our life and the experiences we have.  Rather than being a burden, it is an invitation to help us have more fullness in our life.  As I look back at my time in the Grand Canyon, I know that exercising allowed me to further live my life.

BF Challenge:  How would you answer the question: “Live to Exercise or Exercise to Live?” Please post your comments and the most insightful response will receive a FREE 30 minute workout with Bridge Fitness!!

Also, check out these 10 steps for balanced living by Dr. Roland Phillips from Desert Dove Health and Wellness Center in Chandler, Arizona.