Time to Grow Old or Grow Fit
Eight Sure-fire Ways to Get Fit
Of all the ages I've been—and I've been seventy-seven different ages over my lifetime—this birthday slapped me with this choice:
Shall I grow old, accepting my degradation and deterioration, my extra pounds, my unattractive new body; or am I willing to pay the price to get back in shape?
I list my excuses: My hip and knee replacements in 2017 limit exercise choices and flexibility. The double mastectomy of 2020 has weakened my upper body. Depriving my body of Estrogen which fed my cancer, encourages fat to cluster around my middle. My sedentary work, writing, limits my exercise time and sets me up for comfort-eating.
Sure, these are good justifications for letting my weight climb to 192 pounds. Living-in-community means grabbing cookies after each work party or each trip through the lobby. And then there’s Christmas. Did I mention the depression of another Covid shutdown, coinciding with all the birthday and holiday gatherings? Who else will eat the candy and baking I made in preparation?
Just reading this list makes me want to grab a snack!
Faced with all of this—maybe you feel the same–, what are the Eight Sure-fire Ways to Get Fit? I am going to abandon aging and get fit! Want to do it with me?
1. Commit to a goal
In my case, wanting to look good at the beach won’t cut it. I need to have people relying on me to reach my goal. Trips to the water in the summer might work for someone in their twenties who is on the prowl, but hell, who is looking at someone who’s 77? Her husband—if she’s lucky. But the studs or other beach beauties find her invisible. Besides, I could stay home, wear a cover-up, or not care that I have a waist as big as my hips.
My goal is to lose 20 pounds and gain strength and stamina.
2. Take a Picture
Wearing nothing but a sports bra and my spandex team shorts, I had my husband snap a shot. I want to track my progress. I know I will succeed and will show the before and after shots, though we will record weekly in the same outfit.
3. Weigh Daily
Naked, each morning, stand on the scales—and then record it. Make a graph. Post it on the fridge.
4. Exercise Daily
Don’t always do the same thing. If you’re in a shutdown, like we currently are, do floor exercises, go for a brisk walk, ride your bike, lift weights, stretch bands, do yoga with a video. Remember, weight-bearing exercises are best for your bones… so swimming is great for endurance and strength, your bones like walking and weights. Try dancing, push-ups, planks. Oculus has some great exercise programs if you have enough room to wave your arms around. You get the drift. Just do it… daily.
Yesterday I worked out in our cohousing gym. Today I’m walking to the store.
5. Record Intake
Wow, this is so important. Most of us don’t even realize we are eating. We eat when we reward ourselves, when we’re with friends, when someone takes over a task we were working on, when we are sad, happy, excited, anxious, or because we have been told to eat three meals a day with snacks. First, we do not need 3 meals… one is fine. Breakfast is not the most important meal. You should delay breaking the fast for as long as possible.
By keeping a record of everything we eat and drink, we can sensibly evaluate where we are going wrong. Remember, we don’t need our portions to be as large as when we were raising kids, working full time, and taking care of a large house and yard. Remember?
6. Eliminate Sugars-- restrict Carbs
Wow, this is so important. Most of us don’t even realize we are eating. We eat when we reward ourselves, when we’re with friends, when someone takes over a task we were working on, when we are sad, happy, excited, anxious, or because we have been told to eat three meals a day with snacks. First, we do not need 3 meals… one is fine. Breakfast is not the most important meal. You should delay breaking the fast for as long as possible.
By keeping a record of everything we eat and drink, we can sensibly evaluate where we are going wrong. Remember, we don’t need our portions to be as large as when we were raising kids, working full time, and taking care of a large house and yard. Remember?
7. Snacks
There will be a time every day when you need something munchy. It’s best to prepare them in advance. Deviled eggs, celery and almond butter, granny smith apple slices, ingredients for a Kale smoothie (banana, frozen blackberry juice cubes, ice cubes, cocoa, vanilla, cup of kale, water, or milk), olives, and cheese.
8. Supplements & Longevity Molecules
If you haven’t started reversing your age yet, do it. Harvard University ‘s David Sinclair is just one source of information. Check it out.
Personally, I’m not on any prescription medications. Daily I take a plethora of vitamins which you probably already take.
But, following the Harvard findings, I take a gram of NMN and Resveratrol daily. I’ve been doing this for two years now. My hair is regaining color. (I no longer color it.)
Because I follow this program, I feel confident that by October I will be ready for the Games and whatever life throws at me.
Okay, so now it’s the middle of February. I’m not doing as well as I’d hoped, but I persevere. Down a few pounds, the excel spread sheet records almost every day… but Valentines, a mild bout of COVID, and busy writing schedule have made this a slow start.
Jump on in and keep me posted on your progress. We can help each other. Drop me a note at author@denelda.com.
