When I was young, I didn't care about living past 40. I really didn't. Now I'm over 40, and hell yes I care. I know a lot of people that find themselves in a similar state of contemplation. A few of us lived fast and died young, but most of us just lived fast and now pay the daily consequences of that. A few of course are STILL living fast. I never was an addictive personality, I dabbled in all sorts of stuff, smoked for many years, went through a pothead stage (yes, it was quite a long one), still drink although not to the point of incarceration usually (at least they haven't caught me yet!), just basically being an average, fun-loving person. Life is full of stress, you gotta have your good times, you have to learn how to let go. But besides the smoking I can't really say anything addicted me.
Well now it's time for an addiction, and it's hard. Harder then quitting anything I've had to so far. The addiction is health. I want to live to be old, really freaking old. However I don't want to live with daily unmanageable pain, or to live without being able to remember my children's names. So it's time to get addicted to health. Hardcore addicted, no looking back, no compromises. Live it, do it, love it. And that shit is tough man, especially for a lazy stooge like me.
It all started with a book I saw at Barnes and Noble a few months back (reading is another one of my positive addictions) called Younger Next Year. I'm not going to bore everyone with details, but there is a short list of rules to live by and if you follow them, chances are you'll live to be 90, and be quite vital and happy even at that age. One of these rules is workout every day (at least 6 days a week). Four days of cardio, at least two days of strength training. Not walking the dog, not hopping on the Wii Fit (although don't get me wrong, an awesome machine), not buying some new-fangled contraption from QTV for five easy payments of whatever, but going to the gym. The book says that if you don't do this, you'll fail, you'll get distracted, you'll compromise. Maybe not at first, but eventually you will. For myself at least, I believe that. Remember, I'm a lazy SOB after all.
So I've been sore and tired daily, going on almost three weeks of daily gym. Me and my wife Shirley get up at five am, get out by five twenty, get back by six thirty or so. We are very lucky to have a gym within a few blocks of us. Mostly cardio stuff (treadmill, bikes, eliptical) to just 'get into the habit'. I went and bought a heart monitor to keep the heart rate up where it should be, and not to take it easy or to shortcut what I'm trying to do. Last week I started working in strength training. Now I'm freaking sore. But happy sore, so far.
See, I'm not going to boast or pretend that there is a high probability that I'll do this for the rest of my life, which is exactly what needs to happen. I historically take on a project with great zest, enthusiastic as all get-out. Then shortly afterward my interest wanes and I compromise. A few months later, I'm on some other kick altogether. So that is why I'm writing this, putting it out there. So people will know, if I fail I cannot sweep it under the rug. I will have to admit my weakness. So I'm determined for what its worth to succeed.
It's not only activity, it's diet too. I've pretty much stopped eating crap. Now it's brown rice, not white. Lots of veggies and fruits. Whole grains, nothing processed if I can help it. Chicken and fish good. Red meat bad except in heavy moderation. The only things I drink are coffee, water, and booze. Okay occasionally a glass of milk or fruit juice, but mainly water, coffee, and booze. Water especially I drink like there is no tomorrow. I try and limit myself to a couple of glasses of booze a day, which is actually by all credible studies damn good for you! I've even started counting calories on a website (an AWESOME free website) called sparkpeople.com. I'm in this for the long haul, if I can stay strong. Ask me anything you want, including if I'm going crazy. Because I love red meat, I really do. I love potatos and pasta too, but unless its whole wheat it's full of starch, and that is straight sugar once your body has its way with it. Oh, and NO FAST FOOD!! Not even a wrap or a salad. Trying to eat healthy at a fast food joint is like trying to do your homework at a strip club. Plain ridiculous in other words.
Again, I'm writing this for myself. So that if six months from now if someone asks me "hey, how is the exercise/diet thing going?" I will have to truthfully respond. And I am hoping beyond all hope that I answer "just fine!" It motivates me to talk about this stuff, but no one really wants to hear it until they are ready to hear it, if ever. It is also really hard to write this and not come off as a sanctimonious jerk. But I'm sincere, whether you believe me or not. After all, if you don't like it, don't read it. Turn the page. Go surf porn.
I'm glad to turn any of my friends on to the resources I've found helpful. After all, I want you guys around for a really long time.
No comments:
Post a Comment