First trip to the YMCA

Just got back from the YMCA after my first attempt at reconditioning this old body. Walking into the exercise room I did a quick survey to see if there were any people I knew. I had to stay away from them, not ready for any public displays of my athletic prowess, so I spotted a vacant tread mill far away from everyone. Didn’t want anyone seeing my very slight incline and slow start up speed. At least I was smart enough to start intelligently. Well, here I go, press the start button Bill you’ve got this far, don’t chicken out. Looked around as I started my “turtle” walk and was totally embarrassed at what I had or had not done to my body. Some of these people were going so damn fast I thought they would take off, even without a runway. Right next to me was an elderly fellow, older than me anyway, setting a smooth fabulous pace at an incline I only aspired to in a week or so. Talk about being embarrassed. To make matters worse I felt someone tapping me on my shoulder. I turned to see an old fellow that I see in church every Sunday. Well now there’s someone who’s seen my pathetic attempt at exercising. After what seemed like 30 minutes, but was more likely 10, I began to struggle with my breathing and gained about 30 beats on the heart rate. Enough of this, but it’s at least a start.

Got on some solid ground, regained my sea legs and headed over to the Concept2 rowing machines. This looked better; at least I can sit down. As I positioned myself I looked over and saw my fellow church member rowing away as though he were in scull going down the Thames. I think all was I was able to row around was a very small pond (about 11 minutes of rowing). Now I was even sweating. I thought, that’s good, must be a sign that I was actually exercising.

Still felt pretty good so I asked for a basketball and went to the gym to shoot a few. In my day I was a pretty good player, but my debut in the gym was another embarrassment, I had trouble even reaching the basket, and that was only from the foul line. For I three pointer I’d need a cannon. After a bit I actually made a few shots. I'm a little achy right now as I sit here, but all in all not bad for a sedentary, out of shape, old guy. And guess what; I’m going back for more tomorrow.

Happy New Year

Have you noticed that the older we get the faster time goes by? It seems like we just watched the ball go down for 2008 and here it goes, down for 2009, and I can’t believe it’s already ten years since we were panicking over the coming of Y2K and everything that would happen. I for one could have used a few more months of 2009, but here I am, already into a couple of days of 2010.

Every year when we watch this event and marvel at the crazy million people standing in the street we ask the same question, where the hell do all these people pee. They must have the bladders of elephants or the bulges in their clothes are nothing more than Depends. Well we weren’t there and bladder problems didn’t exist. Had our friends over where it was nice and warm, the bubbly was poured, hugs, kisses and best wishes were extended and we gave ourselves the usual pat on the back for staying awake long enough to experience another goodbye to the old and hello to the new.

What’s the new going to bring? Obviously none of us know, but we’re going to again declare a whole bunch of resolutions, all designed to keep us healthy enough to carry us through another year. Most will be quickly abandoned, but I’m happy to announce that I kept one going for all of 2009.

Last year I resolved to lose some weight. No crash thing, just an attempt to alter my life style a little. I’m proud to say that it worked, total weight loss for the year, forty six pounds. Planned to do my best and continue the adjustment in 2010, want to lose another fifteen (twenty would be great, but I have to be realistic). Am also going to try and set up an exercise program at the YMCA, but that might be a tougher resolution to keep. Will keep my fingers crossed.

Here’s wishing you success with yours if you’ve made them for 2010.