Like most
people my age, I have a long history of stop/start fitness regimens. (I use the
word regimen strictly as a means of making the entire process sound a lot more
structured and realistic than it actually is, there has never been anything
truly regimental about my fitness routines). Admittedly, the stopping is a hell of a
lot easier than the starting. Once you stop and the longer you stop for, the
harder it is to light that fire again. Finding the energy and time for that
initial push or shove back into some sort of fitness/health routine seems to be
harder to find sometimes than the Higgs Boson. My push came from within, the
shove from my Brother-in-law, and so it began.
I
read once that it takes 5 'sessions' of exercise to overcome the initial reluctance
and lack of motivation for the new routine to become a routine, 5 days of
pain before the gain. 5 days for your body to realise that something is
happening and it needs to get its shit together before some real damage is
done. If that is the case, I’m not even half way there. One weights session focusing
on upper body strength (of which I have none apparently) and a 40-minute
run/walk/fall over in the searing heat over two days and I am feeling every bit
the 40 year old.
And
that’s exactly the reason I need to push on, no WANT to push on. Will push on.
Half a lifetime ago, before fulltime work, before fulltime children, I was ridiculously fit. I know I am never going to achieve that level again, but I remember how good it feels, my body remembers what it’s like to be in shape. So I know what’s in front of me and I know what the possible rewards are at the end of the journey.
I
don’t need to look far for motivation or inspiration to continue. I have 5
young reasons at home that are going to benefit immensely from a fit and
healthy dad as they get older and inevitably more active themselves. My own
health, both physical and mental, will benefit infinitely from regular
exercise. The evidence that exercise has a positive effect on mental health is
overwhelming and something I have experienced first hand in the past.
My
life was at a crossroads towards the end of last year. I had hit a new low and
the sobering reality was that it could have been the end of all I love, my
entire world was falling away from my weakening grasp. Things happened that at
the time appeared to signify the end of the world, little did I know they would
bring about the beginning of a new world, a better one, one with a future.
I
have a great deal of work to do to become the man, husband and father I need and want to
be. This new fitness/health regimen (a real
one this time) is just one part of a holistic and comprehensive
self-improvement doctrine that will see me become the person I want to be, have
been before and know I can be forever.
I am
hurting all over, every muscle stings, but it feels good. For the first time in
a long time, my future is bright. Bring it on!
“Hope smiles from the threshold of the
year to come, Whispering 'it will be happier'...”
Brett, you've used one of my favourite quotes ever! I love Tennyson and that speaks of such promise, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI'm going through a lot of changes too and have in the last 6 months undergone a pretty major overhaul - changing completely the way I eat, the way I live, so many things. Am feeling more positive than ever before.
We have much in common (I'm BP also).
Good on you for getting back into shape - and its funny how life happens! I used to be way fitter and healthier than I am at this moment in time. With five boys I have lost who I once was - and I feel like this is the year to get back into shape...
ReplyDeleteSo I am inspired by your commitment to make this your year, and to be a better Dad to your five little reasons. It is true that exercise makes you feel better in the mind as well as in the body! All the best- remember the pain will be worth it in the end.