In terms of fitness, where do I see myself many years down the road?
I want my body to look the same despite being older, wrinklier, and probably a bit weaker. I’ve seen many Baby Boomers who are still active now that they’re retired and it gives me hope that people can be healthy, fit, and limber well into their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s.
When I get older like 20+ years down the road, I don’t want life to get in the way of being healthy. That’s an excuse people use to disguise the fact that they didn’t take responsibility for their own actions. We choose not to exercise and not to eat properly…we’re not the victim. I’ve heard plenty of friends say, “Oh, I just don’t have time with an 80 hour work week”…”I eat out with my co-workers, so I can’t eat healthy”…but this is the wrong mindset.
I’ve known an acquaintance who would wake up super early every morning to go to the gym before work, even while traveling, to run on the treadmill. I asked her once why she hardly ever took a break from her exercise routine (unless mandatory) and she told me that it didn’t feel right if she didn’t get that extra boost of energy in the morning. Even if she had to wake up at 4 AM to run…she’d do it. If she didn’t get her morning run, she’d do something during the day. Also, she slept early knowing that she had to wake up well before 6 AM. Nobody could budge her to “party” when she wanted to get a run in the morning. That doesn’t mean she had no social life. She planned ahead for those things. If she was going to have a late night, she would get her run during the day instead of in the morning. It was a balanced situation that worked well.
My other friend is vegetarian who absolutely does not eat meat. But she works in Texas and every lunch is catered…a dire situation right? When she first arrived, the entire spread for lunch had meat in it. She picked it out the meat and later told the person who ordered the lunches that she was vegetarian. The next day, there were vegetable side platters, cooked in bacon grease with bits of bacon in it. My friend told that person about the meat situation and together they were able to find full vegetarian meal options without having “hidden” meat products or only side options. She was the only person in the entire department that was vegetarian and yet, she stood up for her lifestyle and advocated change.
Sure, it takes courage and discipline to buck the system and take your health into your own hands. But it’s well worth it. I know I’m definitely taking charge of my health these days more than I did before. It makes more sense now that I’m older. I cannot stuff myself with several pounds of meat just to get a “deal” at the all-you-can-eat buffet. I don’t want to attempt any food challenges for the sake of a free meal or a photo on the wall. It’s not worth it. They make good stories, but it’s not something I want to pursue forever.
I want to pursue a healthy lifestyle of proper nutrition and balanced exercise. I want to be like that lady who does ballet on her own at the gym. I want to be like the solitary man who does yoga on the beach. I want to be surrounded by the Tai Chi group in the park during the early morning hours.
This is what I wish for myself in the future.
When I’m 65 or near that age, I want to be active, limber, and healthy. I know my joints may not be as good as they used to be, but I can still do things like swim, yoga, and Tai Chi. I’m sure there are many more options, but those are the ones I’d want to pursue. Also, I know that strength-training needs to be in my routine as I age because muscle retention isn’t what it used to be and it’s easier to atrophy than it is it maintain at that point. So hopefully, the future will be a bright place where I can be happy and healthy as I age and bypass many preventable diseases.
Filed under: About Me, Musings | Tagged: exercise, fitness, future, health, lifestlyle, swimming, tai chi, yoga | Leave a comment »
Shape and Mold 