The final post to review Phil Daoust’s remarkable ode to getting older and better from The Guardian newspaper:
Exercise is for you, not the people who hate you for doing it: Everyone has haters. Even Mother Teresa had haters. Some people get their daily jollies giving other people a trunkload of grief; spouting off how running killed Jim Fixx (it didn’t, but severely blocked coronary arteries did), how riding a bike is dangerous (true mainly due to inattentive drivers of automobiles, lack of bike lanes and inadequate use of helmets, but these can be overcome with a change in the time and location of your ride), and how horrible it is to be eaten by a shark (attacks are on the rise, but statistically, your chances of a shark encounter while open water swimming are 1 in 3.75 million).
Embrace those who support you, but love your haters, too. The haters are the ones who make you mad enough to get out of bed every day and kick ass. Their “friendly” advice isn’t coming from a kind place; it’s meant to drag you back down to their butt-on-the-couch-eating-bonbons-level. Remain standing and moving.
Forget exercise outside the box. Build a better box: If the idea of ordinary running, swimming, and cycling annoys you, look around for a better alternative. If you hate asphalt and concrete, go to a site like All Trails and find a trail or two near you for a walk or run. Hate the idea of staring at the black line of the local pool? United States Masters Swimming (USMS) has a finder section for swimmers who love pools, lakes, oceans and any body of water. Do you like cycling but need a challenge? Check out a publication like Cycling Weekly, which covers road, mountain, and gravel trail riding, along with racing news and international events. Need a break from all that? How about yoga? There are seven basic types of yoga, all with excellent health benefits. The ability to fold yourself into a pretzel shape is not a requirement. Other active pursuits include canoeing, paddleboarding, pickleball, martial arts, and golf (no cart allowed!)
The last thing: safety first: When you are out on the road, trail, or water, take care of yourself. Know your surroundings. Let family or a friend know where you will be. Keep your hands empty; wear shorts or leggings with pockets, and use a belt or armband to carry what you need. You will need water, so bring it. Use the sunscreen. Wear a light or reflective gear to be seen.
After all, I want you back.
Old Is Serious...Aging Is Hilarious 