I had the good fortune to come across an article from The Guardian newspaper online (paywall warning, but you can read one article for free) that really struck me as wise words from a fellow who is “getting older and better” at the same time.
Phil Daoust was obese, unwell, and did little to help himself towards a healthy life. He ate poorly, drank considerably, and enjoyed watching others sweat, rather than doing it himself. He lived that way until his mid-forties when he started to make small changes and continued to fine-tune them until his current mid-sixties. He is now healthy and active despite some very human backsliding to get there. His candid and enlightening account in the British publication is a realistic and honest look at how hard it is to change life when you are about halfway through it, but how rewarding it is. And he doesn’t make it sound like rainbows and sunshine, either. He owns up to the hard bits.
I am going to take some of what I read in the article and put it out there on my own terms, and I hope you can see yourself in this story, too. The main point of this narrative: it is never too old to start and you are never too far out of it to get better.
Don’t expect a “high” every time out: Those endorphins that produce the classic known as the “runner’s high?” Oh, you’ll have that experience. Except when you don’t, and then it’s just a grind. Practice is just that; it’s putting in the hard yards (or meters) to get to the next step, which could be competition. Or just practicing better. Or getting a better report on your next physical. The workout isn’t always a “Woo-Hoo!” experience.
Feet don’t fail me now: Sometimes you are just not into a run, or a bike ride. Don’t underestimate the power of a good walk. This chart breaks down what you burn by weight, walking speed, and whether it’s up or downhill. That once-in-a-while night stroll can add to your fitness on days when you’re just not into doing much.
It’s all uphill from here and there: Daoust was referring to the fact that he lives at the bottom of a long, steep hill and had no option but to face the fact that his workouts were uphill. You can also look at this metaphorically: sometimes, to get to a better place somewhere “up there” you have to start somewhere “down there” as a newbie or “been there, done this, but it’s been a while” refugee. Either way, embrace starting from the lowest point and picking a higher goal. It does not have to be the highest point, just higher than where you are now.
We’ll keep going with this “always say it’s possible, if not plausible” narrative in forthcoming posts. And thanks to Phil, for showing up and having the grace and candor to put thoughts to paper so well.
Old Is Serious...Aging Is Hilarious 