The Come Alive Project

Tag: senior fitness

  • Energy Bite 361 – Do Not Let Your Age Define Who You Are

    Isn’t it interesting how attitudes can change over a very short period of time. A few years ago, there were a lot of articles in the press about the negative aspects of getting older and how ageism was becoming rampant the way Seniors were being treated. I wrote several articles about how the only way “ageism” can affect us, is that we let it.

    But recently I have seen numerous articles in various publications, praising the concept of aging and showing so much respect for Seniors. But it’s really all about the way WE think about getting older and has nothing to do with how others feel.

    Do you feel inside like you’re getting older? Do you look like you’re getting older? Are you healthy? How you project your age to yourself and how you look and feel in your own mind, is what you project to others around you. Do others think you look and feel old?

    All too often, we let our age define who we are. We look in the mirror and tell ourselves that we are looking older. When we think of ourselves as getting old, we project that message to others through our voice, our posture, our bearing and our attitude about life.

    Do we come across as stereotypically old curmudgeons with an old person’s grumpy attitude toward life, or are we looked at as healthy, vibrant seniors with a vitality and zeal for living our lives? Do you look forward to getting up in the morning, or do you roll over and mentally project how miserable your day is going to be?

    “The effects of the years upon the physical body depend not upon the physiology but the psychology involved.”  — Eric Butterworth, from the book, Celebrate Life.

    Do you think yourself old, or do you have a “Come Alive Attitude” toward your life as it is? Do want to stay like you are, or do you want to try new things and experiment with life? Are you looking forward to your future or are you dreading it? Are you buried in the past or are you willing to accept inevitable change in the real world as time marches on?

    Is your physical body up to the task of living a long and active life, or is it weak, filled with aches and pains, with an mind that is dreary and full of dread.

    Charles Fillmore, a spiritual leader of the early 20th century woke up one morning at the age of 93 and said out loud, “I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm and I spring forth with a mighty faith to  do the things that ought to be done by me.” Now that’s a Come Alive Attitude.

    It’s a matter of self awareness and self-care. By self-care, I mean taking responsibility for your own mind and body and doing something to build and maintain your own health and vitality. Yes, that means exercise and eating right, and every bit as important — is the mental attitude that goes with it.

    So, does your age define you, or do you define your age? In the former, you let life dictate the terms. In the latter, you dictate the terms of both your present and your future. Can you completely control your future? Of course not. You could get hit by a truck tomorrow. Maybe some sort of virus will come along and bring the world to a halt. But you have the ability to take responsibility for your own health and fitness, along with the mindset that encourages you do it.

    It’s up to us to define who we are and how we want the world to look at us. We have the ability to dictate the terms. You know what to do.  Will you do it?

    “Fitness and health is within reach of anyone who wants it. The question is, who will reach?” Jim Rohn

    Thank you for reading.

  • Energy Bite 360 – A Reader’s Valued Comment to Last Week’s Post

    Last week, I wrote that there are usually a ton of new gym members at the beginning of the year. They usually sign up for an annual membership, but stop coming to the gym in February or early March. They continue paying with the full intent of returning after “a few weeks off”.

    This year isn’t repeating that normal process. There are very few new sign-ups to the gym I go to. I can’t speak to other clubs, but I would suspect it to be the same. I hope those folks who didn’t join a gym (health club) this year will find the time and take the effort to exercise at home.

    On a similar note, a long time reader of this blog, and gym buddy, suggested I write something for those, like him, who have not returned to the gym and don’t plan on returning soon.  He suggested that others may be interested in how people like him are staying in shape. Here’s his method:

    “I have my wife’s TOTAL GYM to work out on, plus some exercise bands, one set of bar bells, a BOSU and various things I’ve improvised. I also skip up and down my driveway in the mornings before it gets light. I like that because my neighbors can’t see me.”

    I’ve never used the TOTAL GYM, but from what others have told me, it is an excellent piece of equipment for home exercise. Exercise bands are an excellent tool. They are quite inexpensive and available at big box stores like Target or Walmart. Bar bells can be expensive and if you have the other equipment mentioned above, you probably won’t need them. A BOSU (half ball with flat surface to stand on) is great for balance but there are other methods without going to the expense of the BOSU. They are an excellent tool but are not inexpensive.

    As for skipping up and down the driveway, don’t laugh. Skipping is an excellent exercise. I think it can be better than running or walking. One of the top of the line Boot Camp style fitness programs in the area has their men and women skipping down major roads at 7:00 in the morning as part of their very intense adult exercise program. It provides balance, raises your heart rate, heavy breathing and all the benefits of fast walking. If skipping is not your “thing”, then go for walking, particularly if you are older and your knees are starting to get a bit wobbly.

    Another good home exercise tool is the “As seen on TV” Ab Roller. Remember that? It provides a great abdominal muscle workout, but if you are just starting out, simple “plank” exercises are probably better to begin with.

    So, if you are a gym member who plans to stay at home a little bit longer, or a novice with resolutions but wants to wait to sign up for a gym membership, or maybe someone who just wants to exercise at home, there are a lot of things you can do. I’ve covered one person’s response here.

    That same reader added: “I bet many of your fans have come up with some very innovative ways of keeping in shape all through this pandemic.”  I would be interested in hearing some of them. I don’t have a comments section but you can email your thoughts to me anytime at bob@thecomealiveproject.com.

    Get healthy, fit, and full of energy in 2021. Make it a good year. Move your body, eat well, and enjoy life. Thank you for reading.

  • Energy Bite 359 – No Lecture, Just a Message

    2020 is ending, thank goodness, and 2021 is beginning. The gyms are excited and ready for all the newbies to the exercise scene. Every year a new crop signs up in January with steely eyes, set jaw, and focused intent on getting fit, losing fat, and getting healthy. The gyms love it because historically, they get a bunch of new members in January. By March, the attendance slows down, and the money keeps rolling in. Don’t blame it on the gyms, it’s not their fault. They just cash in on human nature.

    This year may be a little different because of COVID. There may be a bit of fear in joining a gym with a large membership where you could be exposed to the virus. But there will still be a lot of well intentioned new memberships in spite of the virus.

    Most gyms are well disinfected. The gym I go to purchased a huge air filtering and sanitizing system that purportedly keeps the large facility in a constant state of cleanliness — some sort of spray and filtering system that is distributed throughout the gym, continually sanitizing it in its entirety.

    Staff takes my temperature at the door and I make sure I have my mask on when I enter and leave. They limit attendees to a percentage of maximum capacity. My wife takes classes there and her classes are severely limited to a small percentage of the normal attendance.

    I feel very comfortable at the gym and am not hesitant to use any of the equipment. I have noticed that nearly all the people who are using the facilities, comply with all the gym requirements of wearing masks when not on the exercise floor and wiping down the equipment with disinfectant after each use. There are excellent safety procedures in place and nearly everyone goes along with them without overt complaint.

    So, if you want to lose fat and get in shape, don’t let COVID deter you. Of course you will make it a consideration, but note that most gyms are safe.

    Of course, much of the “losing fat” part should take place at home, in the  kitchen and at the dining room table. You have complete control of that aspect of your personal fitness. I won’t promote a particular diet — there are too many out there and I am not a nutritionist, even though I had a Sports Nutrition Designation with the National Academy of Sports Medicine. My main suggestion is to stop eating all that sugar you ate during the holidays. I gained 6 pounds which I can attribute nearly all of to excess sugar. I’ve already stopped eating the Christmas candy.

    In short, the New Year is a great time to start a health and fitness campaign. Don’t be afraid to go to the gym. Join one if you are not a member now BUT don’t give up in February. And remember, you don’t have to join a gym. You can always exercise at home. I just think that gyms provide a bit more of a motivational atmosphere that keeps you focused on exercising.

    Some insurance programs will pay for “Silver Sneakers” programs and some of the major gyms provide it — free membership if your insurance provides for it.

    So, while that’s not a lecture, it’s a message of hope that you will start or continue to exercise and eat right. You already know that. Yes, there are external challenges this year, but don’t let fear of the unknown stop you. If you don’t exercise regularly now, start a program and stick with it.

    With exercise and good nutrition, you’ll look better, feel better, and have a chance at an awesome life. Remember, You are your own Fountain of Youth. It’s up to you to reach inside you and turn on the Flow — the Flow of Life.

    Happy New Year to all. Have an awesome 2021 and beyond.

    Thank you for reading.