Why Exercise?

I had already written the rough draft of today’s blog post on the subject of complacency, when I came across this article I wrote in April of 2004. Yes, that’s 2004, without a “one”. I was 64 years old at the time. I wonder if I was writing it to myself. It seems to be a reflection of everything I have written and spoken about since starting this blog as a newsletter in December of 2011 (with a “one”).

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As you move through your years on earth, your body starts to fall apart.

Eyes dim
Hearing diminishes
Muscles atrophy
Ligaments and tendons become less elastic
Joints become like rusty hinges

Some deal with the problem early.

Some deal with the problem late in life.

In fact, as you move through your thirties, you hardly notice the decline at all. You can pick up your kids, move normally, walk fast, still run a little – some more than others.

As you move into and through your forties, things start to happen. You run out of breath faster. Your muscles get really sore when you rake leaves, shovel snow, or play with the kids.

You know you should be doing something to “get back in shape”. Maybe you’ll sign up at the gym or start running (or jogging) again. Often you overdo it at the beginning, get really sore, and then stop.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Usually what happens is that what starts out as a lifestyle change, instead becomes a burden. You don’t make the necessary time. You work out too hard and burn out. You don’t get proper instruction, so you don’t have good form – which can easily result in injury.

So . . . you stop! You know you should keep it up, but you find a lot of reasons/excuses not to.

As you move out of your forties and into your fifties, you begin to fall apart a little faster. Your physical rate of deterioration begins to accelerate.

The various “itises” start to give you pain (arthritis, bursitis, etc.). You have trouble picking up and carrying the grandkids. You have trouble climbing stairs as fast as you used to. You get out of breath very easily now. You start worrying about your heart, your blood pressure and other health concerns.

Then you start reading the obituaries, looking (and sometimes finding) people you know as friends and contemporaries. Fewer people are attending your reunions.

Many of you are loading up on prescription drugs as if drugs were the only way to combat the problems.

You may be thinking that it’s too late to do something about it. It’s too late to start an exercise program. You’re thinking about heart attack or stroke.

It’s Not Too Late!

There are alternatives to growing old in a perpetually increasing state of decay. And they’re the same ones you’ve heard about over and over again: Exercise. Fitness. Nutrition. A good work-out. Consistency.

It’s simple
It doesn’t cost much
You’ll find yourself wanting to work harder.
It will become a lifestyle change for you.
You’ll bring joy to yourself and to your family.
You’ll look and feel better than you have in years
You’ll lose fat and get leaner
You get stronger – fast.
You’ll build bone and increase bone density.
You’ll give your joints a lube job.
You’ll be able to carry your grandkids where they want to go – without injuring yourself.
You’ll live longer – if you don’t get hit by a truck – and you’ll enjoy life.
You’ll keep out of the nursing home
You’ll be independent longer
You’ll have a glint in your eye and a spring in your step.
You’ll be able to reach farther, move faster, and with better balance and agility.
You’ll reduce pain dramatically.
You’ll be more flexible.
All this and so much more.

It’s not too late. Not now. Not ever. In fact, researchers report that people in their 90s can triple their strength in just weeks when they go on a resistance exercise program.

So, don’t think it’s too late. Make the time (you can always make time). Get someone to teach you. Join a gym or health club. Join a group exercise program. GO FOR IT . . . NOW!

Thank you for reading. Next week, you’ll get the scoop on Complacency.