It gets easier each time!

As I got up today I wanted a cup of coffee and then read the paper, thinking about my afternoon nap!! That is the way I feel most days and now that I turned 60, its harder not to carry out this lazy day attitude! But I find that if I get into a routine, that means going to bed by ten and getting up at six, going to Bally Total Fitness(which is the gym I go to), is easier the more I keep to that routine! Getting enough sleep is essential for anyone, but particularly when as we age! A a routine as far as bedtime seems to work great for me! I have been trying to follow this for several months and I find my body accepting this and getting stronger as a result. It is true what I have heard for years, your body IS like a car! And sleep the gas I need to keep going!!

Church is a part of my exercise program!!

To some church might not be a part of your life and certainly you never thought of it as a part of an exercise program. But for me your emotional health affects your physical health! And my emotional health has always been enhanced when by going to church! When I go to the Bally (the gym I work out at), it does not seem to matter how much I lift or do cardio. If my mind and emotions are not positive and in sync, all the physical exercise I do not does not make me feel good. And for me going to church and believing in God are the main reasons my emotions are positive!! To feel in tip top shape physically you have to feel 100% emotionally, and for me that means church and God!

After the gym, I feel like a new man!

I just got back from bally, which is the gym I go to here in Michigan! During the Christmas season and these winter months, it is VERY important to get to the gym!! Not only do we tend to eat more of the food that we should not, but just the cold and yucky weather makes us want to crawl in bed till spring!! One of the tricks I use is to get up, go to the bathroom and look in the mirror.. NAKED!! That always seems to get me motivated to brave the cold and ice when I look at that whale looking back at me!! Whatever little trick you need to get to the gym or do your workout at home, JUST DO THE WORKOUT!! I always remember how good I feel AFTER that gets and keeps me going too, I want that guy in the mirror to be great and feel better about himself the next time we meet!!

It is hard, but it feels good when I am done!!

I got up today like usual on workout days (between 5:am and 6:15am). And today was like allot of days, I did not want to go to Bally to put my body through what I call domesticated torture! But after pushing myself to do some warm-up stretches at home, I figured why not?! As is usually the case once I get to the gym, my mind and body start enjoying themselves! I have come to the conclusion that, while doing stretches is good for anyone before they work out, the older I get it is almost mandatory!!
And another thing, I do not need to have muscles the size of a VW bus!! Some people are intimidated or feel like they need to prove something by lifting, and eventually straining something! Believe me, I need all my parts working and not sidelined due, to what I like to call, misguided "big shiny muscle envy" My B.S.M.E. theory is just that, then again the acronym says it all! Go here for "senior" gym days!