Everything is fine and then it isn't. Someone you dearly love passes away. For a time, it feels like the clock stops ticking. Breathing becomes difficult. The heavy fog starts to creep in. Everyday activities become harder. Planning anything beyond that moment is not doable. Tears come out of nowhere. The whatifs surface and then it all repeats.

It's as if you are caught in a time warp. Moving on seems like a foreign concept. Moving anywhere is almost impossible. Grief is heavy. It engulfs your soul. But, exercise can help you cope.

Six months ago, I lost the love of my life. He was an amazing person, who made me a better person. My husband of twenty-two years, my daughter's father. He was not sick. It was sudden and traumatic. His heart stopped working. How could this happen, he was so young? At first, I could not move. I have been an avid exerciser and in the fitness profession for over thirty years. The more I did not move, the sadder I got.

The advice I have given to clients over the years began to ring in my head, just put one foot in front of the other. No big plan, just go for a little walk. As you are walking, breathe. Breathe deeply and connect. So, I began just like a beginner and I finally could breathe. Exercise empowers us. Plain and simple. Does not matter how old you are or what shape you are in. It allows our brains to release feel-good hormones. Something you desperately need when the fog is so thick. Studies have shown that exercise helps when it comes to walking through grief. Of course, talking about your loved one and feelings helps immensely. Walking with a friend is the best. Grief comes in waves and going through all of it is necessary to truly heal. Exercise doesn't prevent the process of grief, it helps us to move forward.

My heart was broken on May 8th of this year. Chris was a wonderful husband and an amazing father. We have a strong faith so that comforts my daughter and me. He is at peace. We are finding our peace through our faith and all our memories. Of course, being physically active daily helps a great deal. All of us will experience loss in our life. Remember, exercise will help you breathe and move forward. Exercise does not eliminate the grief but allows us to move through it and not get stuck.

For more information about health and fitness, please contact, Kay Colgan at Middleburg Pilates and Personal Training, 14 S Madison Street, Middleburg, Virginia or call 540-687-6995.