Getting too deeply into paddling or any sport for us non-athletes is double-edged sword. In one sense I’m lucky. I was never into any sport in my life when I was younger. I was more into playing guitar, smoking and drinking. That’s what us rebellious types did. Now at 43 I can giggle a bit when I hear about foot ball players losing a step at 30-something. I mean, if you don’t start doing something until you are 30-something you can’t really “Lose I step”. So I’ve got one up on them!!

On the other hand you tend to gauge yourself against athletes. You can’t help it. Although in sea kayaking our “circle” tends to be 35 on up, most of these folks have always been “athletes”. If you hold them up as your “mirror” you’re bound to be a bit disappointed. Another chink in your armor is the fact that when you start delving into fitness you read everywhere how at “your age” your body starts, well, slipping. You put on weight faster, you’re less flexible, Your stride shortens, your muscles lose mass. . . You get shorter for God’s sake!!! , and on and on. If it’s the first time you’ve ever researched your physical health you can get the impression it’s hardly worth the effort. You’re on a downward spiral as it is! Well, all hope is not lost of course. The world is changing. Age is not the limitation it once was. The trick for us average folks is figuring out how to be the best we can be, while accepting who we are.

Ultimately we know that activity is the key to over-all fitness. Of course in our modern world it’s not all that easy. Work and other obligations take more time than you care to think about. If you’re lucky and focused you can maybe get an hour a day. That is IF you are lucky and focused. I’ve been experimenting with this forever it seems. I’m not one of those lucky folks who will stay skinny genetically. I also tend to put on weight very fast. Certainly it’s no help that I work at a desk all day. I’ve tried many things. When I was nearly 300lbs I had to cut caloric intake to 1500 a day AND hike up and down the local trails every day. The 500ft of elevation helped. Of course it’s hard to keep that up year in and year out. So you try adapting your activity. At 1900 calories I’ll put on weight so I have to limit that quite a bit. Activity is the only real answer. Each time I let it slip. . . usually in winter. . I’ll start gaining again. It’s crazy really. Who should have to worry about such things?

This year I’ve been lazy. I admit it. After last year, when it seemed like I was always on the go and always in a kayak I just couldn’t get pumped. Not to mention all the craziness of life that’s been taking a real share on my enthusiasm for just about anything. So on came the pounds again. Great! So I found myself suddenly saying “enough is enough” and am jumping back on the treadmill. . figuratively and literally.

Now it might sound silly at first, but I’ve found that the Nintendo Wii Fit is a great too. Each day I can take BMI measurements, do yoga along with balance & strength exercises. The Wii Fit keeps a nice log. You also enter your outside workouts as well. The Wii keeps constant track of your goals and your efforts. Of course with each success it rewards you by adding reps. Oh, Joy!! So there goes about 40 minutes a day. Then in the afternoons I get out for another 1 hour hike, or paddle, or swim, or rolling session. Whatever. The important thing is to spend an hour working hard physically. Lastly I’m monitoring my diet again. Keeping it down to around 1600 calories per day, with one day off. Research has shown that your body adjusts to calorie intake. My experience has been that one day off is good for the body . . . and good for the soul! So far I’ve dropped 4lb in pretty much no time and I can see my flexibility coming back. Balance, well. . that’s always been my strong suit but it’s nice to get some positive feedback.

Well, it may be true that as we get older we start to disintegrate. I’ll accept that. On the other hand, there’s no reason to fall apart.

Related Posts:

1. Cost of Coaching
2. That lost video. . .
3. Feeling Quixotic
4. Turning Your Kayak In Wind – A First Step
5. get a little lost