Kosher Fitness
By Michael Ungar
Do you remember the game of “Life?” As a kid I remember playing this; it was not until I was older that I realized just how adult of a game it really was. The basic premise was that each player gets to choose their path in life but unexpected twists and turns happen with each turn. It was marketed as a fun game, but it pretty closely resembles “real life” for many of us.
I have written many times in the past about how the choices we make today can affect our health and fitness tomorrow. I see it all the time with my clients; eating healthier, exercising, getting plenty of rest, and avoiding risky behaviors usually provide a more positive outcome. I use the work “usually” because there are many things in life that are simply out of our control. An accident can leave us with life-long injuries. Diseases can limit our ability to do the things we want. A financial downturn can change our priorities. The death of a dear one can alter our psyche.
Is it possible to continue to make good health and fitness decisions despite the obstacles that life might throw our way? I remember when my mother passed away 18 years ago, a friend gave me these words of advice: “Take good care of yourself, this will be harder than you think.” I have shared these words with grieving individuals ever since. The bumps along the road are a natural part of life and they should not disrupt long-term the decisions we make about our own well-being; in fact, making good choices is one of the things that can help us survive and thrive in the face of challenges.
When life throws us a curve ball, we may not be able to stick with the same plan to which we may have become accustomed. On the contrary, we will most likely have to make adjustments. Personal trainers and other health professionals can play an important role in helping us navigate modifications that need to be made–either temporarily or long-term. We should not view these changes as defeat or giving up; rather we should look at them as a sign of resilience. There are many ways to achieve better health and fitness. What worked in the past may not work today. The main thing is to recognize the changes as a part of life. What happens during our lives is not totally up to us, but how we respond is totally under our control.
This blog and image were originally published on kosher-fitness.com by Rabbi Ungar on March 9, 2026.
