“Fat” can be a crude description of one’s state of body. But, it’s also a state of mind when one’s ‘mental adipose’ effects their thinking, attitude and general mental disposition. Usually, the two conditions are mutually supportive. Fat, is a state of mind!
Retirement is more than just long walks on the beach (frozen lake in our case), naps and cocktails at four. One of the downsides to retirement is often a loss of that wonderful benefit of easy access to a free gym and a culture of physical fitness (for those that don’t retire next to a Base). Some of us do not immediately appreciate what we’ve lost…until the ‘mental adipose’ seeps in, the mirror doesn’t reflect one’s self-image and stamina isn’t what it used to be.
Sooner or later most of us will bite the bullet and pay for a gym membership where we can fall back into our lifelong routine of being a ‘gym rat’. During today’s visit I wasn’t motivated for the lifting routine nor working the treadmills, so, for the first time in many, many years I decided to join the ‘Boot Camp’ class with my wife (who’s been an avid boot camper).
Not like when you were young!
Just when you think you’re getting back into good condition physically, a class like this proves to you that you’ve been backsliding. The ‘Warm-up’ exercises brought me to my knees; the first set of torture stations dropped me to my back (as I watched the lights and world spin around me); the second set brought up that familiar taste of bile and breakfast from the stomach (happily, it decided to stay there!). Fortunately, many years of living the ‘physical culture’ caused second nature to kick in and force me into a ‘sustainable’ (slow) pace. By the end of the workout, though fatigued, I was happily into the ‘warm-down’ with a clearer mind and better attitude. I wasn’t working as fast or as hard as the first time I went to the real Boot Camp in 1981, but there I was, still working it.
We often have to relearn what we already know. An avid physical fitness program is a key to healthy state of mind & body; and variation, is key to an avid fitness program. (we’ve added wall climbing to the ‘variation’ of activities ) So, it is possible to teach an Old Dog and old trick! Now that I’ve earned it, it’s time for a Four O’clock cocktail!
Interesting Links
- If you enjoyed our “Fat is a state of mind!” article, link to our other Musings, Screeds and creative works at Darren’s Musings
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