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!!

When will you quit?!

I am speaking of one of the absolute worse things you can do to your body, and to the body of others!! Smoking is an awful thing to do to yourself, and as we have found out, just as bad or worse for the others that breath your smoke in! Smoking is not only the number one cause of lung cancer, it is the number one cause of ALL cancers in women! Some people are just so stubborn, even to the point of killing themselves and others! I use to smoke cigars, and while you do not inhale, they still were bad for me! I know quitting is very hard but PLEASE STOP!,not only for you but for the other people in your life! As I said many times this is a site where I welcome your comments or suggestions in order to help us all have better health!

YES, exercise does enhance sex after 60!!

Once I turned 60, I thought my sexual activity would be greatly curtailed! The exercise that I do to lose weight will actually help, and in certain cases improved most facets of sexual activity, at least that is what most health professionals say! As I get older, exercise and diet have been a major factor in helping me lose weight and get toned. Naturally at 60. my body has to be trained slower and with less weight and less strenuous cardio workouts. But a very gratifying benefit I have found in taken better care of my body will greatly improved the sexual part of anyone's life, even us mature folks!
Now I have always had my friends tell me that this is the case with younger people, but I am here to tell you that my age is NOT a negative! Since sex is a normal part of life, I was always told that the older a person gets the less he or she would be able to, shall we say, come to bat? Ever wonder why older people seem to smile more? Have you noticed even the over 60 Hollywood crowd smiles more? I am pretty sure I have found the answer!!!

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!

When can I have pizza?!

For me the pizza or junk food thing is MOSTLY over!! I do not deprive myself of stuff I use to eat all the time, just most of the time! When I go shopping I still walk down the cookie aisle, but just that, WALK on by!! I envision what my favorite cookies used to taste like, then tell myself - OK...that's enough, and walk on!! Sometime I even eat pizza!... the trick I use is to once I eat something, then I forget about that food for at least two months and get back to my exercise and diet routine!! This works for me! Although my mind stills acts and thinks like it, my body is slower and reacts differently to most foods! Foods that I used to be able to chow down and not have a second thought about how my body would be affected by it!!! Bottom line - if you do indulge, get back on your journey to a better you!

It is true!!! - you have to make lemonade

I have always thought that the statement about making lemonade when life gives you lemons was corny, but I have found out how very accurate it is!! While this blog is about my journey to get in better physical shape, I have also found out that the mental aspect of life is equally important!! Several years ago I was diagnosed with Ataxia. I had never heard of this before and when I found out what it was I wish I never did!! Needless to say, exercise and controlling my health has gotten tougher, along with all facets of my life. I am talking about this because most of my life, I have not given much consideration how much what I think affects me. Your mind IS a terrible thing to waste!! Since part of my brain is actually affected, I have to max out what I have!! I have learned that while you can train your body by exercise, you can also train your brain to act the way you want!! Walking is one, albeit one of the simplest ways to do this! Walking, especially on a treadmill is very beneficial for both the mind and body!!!