Priorities

I am in Mission Viejo, California, sitting in the back of the van in another supermarket parking lot, putting off… something, I’m not sure what.

There is nothing to put off, really. I just need to get my ass into the driver’s seat and go to my friend Linda’s house, where our friend Jessica will be arriving in a few hours. Then we will all have a rollicking good time before I head back to San Diego.

What’s to put off?

Just moving, that’s all. I had an epic nap this afternoon but I am still tired. What with puppy duties and fixing up the van and helping Linda get her adorable new trailer ready for the road, I am not used to being so active.

But even if I wasn’t tired, I think I would still feel rebellious about moving.

It’s probably my horrible diet. I have no energy because I am not feeding my body the right fuel. I should get off sugar and grains completely and go Paleo. Maybe then I would have plenty of energy and lose some of this weight as well.

But I know what else would happen: a massive migraine that would go on for days while I detox from all the crap I’ve been eating.

I know I need to do it, but I’m scared of that headache. I’ve had so many in my life, I hate to bring one on deliberately.

That’s what I’ve been putting off for like, ever: taking care of my health.

Why do we make the most important things in life our last priority?

Because they’re hard.

I have a friend who loves exercise. She lives for her almost-daily tai chi classes. To her, exercise isn’t hard; it’s fun. (What a concept!)

When we went kayaking together last summer, she literally paddled circles around me because I was going too slow for her. Now, she has become certified as a personal trainer.

While I admire my friend, I really don’t understand. Where do these people get the energy? And why would they want it? Doesn’t relaxing with a good book or movie sound much better?

Not to the energetic

To them, sitting around for hours, reading or surfing the web, is torture. To me, it’s the whole point.

When I started vandwelling nearly two years ago, I had this idea that I could make myself over into someone like my friend, someone who loved being outdoors all day, hiking or canoeing or — might as well say it — mountain climbing.

Yes, I fantasized about climbing mountains — me. Hah!

Well, I do spend more time outdoors now, because I don’t have much choice. I still don’t like the hot sun on my skin, but I am tan enough that it doesn’t feel quite so painful.

I walk more because I have a puppy now. But I am no fitter than I was as an apartment-living mouse potato.

I have not lost weight. In fact, I have gained a few pounds thanks to the temptations of fast food on the road.

Vandwelling does not automatically make you any healthier than you were to start with. Just like sticks ‘n bricks living, you have to work at it.

You have to make it a priority.