Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2011/07/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Boy, this struck home. I'm 89 and feel myself deteriorating. Going to an exercise class just ain't in my nature. At least geocaching gets me walking and sometimes climbing. My problem was an early exposure to the philosophy of Robert Maynard Hutchins (president of U. of Chicago when I was an undergraduate there) who said: "Whenever I feel the urge to exercise, I just lay down until it goes away." Herb >Tina OFFERED: > >>>>>There was a guy in my exercise class today who I figured to be >>slightly older than I am. He told us he is 88. All of his friends >>are in nursing homes and he is bound and determined not to go >>there. So he's in an >>exercise class three days a week at the YMCA. He's keeping up with >>the exercise group just fine, too!<<<<<<<< > >Hi Tina, >It's attitude, screw this getting old crap and whining about not >being able to do certain things like we used to. Well as I do! :-) >That's a fair assessment....... we can't do everything as we did >when we were younger with strength and stronger body abilities. > >But I will give the crew an absolute word of warning if you start >into an exercise routine...... "DON'T START AND DO IT FOR 6 MONTHS >OR 6 YEARS , THEN STOP!" YOU WILL DIE SOONER!" >The human body deteriorates faster than you can build it up! >Particularly when you are older. You can do amazing things like I >did for my 80th birthday......... 80 sit-ups one right after the >other. Actually during the training period for the birthday event I >on several occasions broke the 95 barrier without a puff. > >Birthday occurred two years ago, I won the bets, scared the hell out >of my, in their 20's grandsons, thinking I was going to kill myself >and were really on my case to stop before I did kill myself!! >However I did it with flying colours and surprised the hell out of >about 50-60 guests at the party. Then did one more, to more cheering >and offered to all the grandsons.......... 6 of them... "Now that >extra one is so you boys know if you screw-up grandpa can still KICK >ASS! And I, we had big hugs amongst all the laughing ! ;-) > >Now the worst part and what you absolutely must avoid at all costs? >Or you will physically deteriorate faster than you ever imagined >your body and strength could disappear!! > >With the birthday goal over, there wasn't a goal to meet! I just >stopped, actually basically let all my work outs end! BAD BAD BAD >ME! The next thing you know? You can't walk as far or as fast. >Things you lifted before almost an impossibility. Climbing stairs or >hills looking for the new scenic angle becomes a breath sucking >impossibility! You loose the strength of your legs in getting up or >to stand for a long time. > >QUITE FRANKLY IT'S A BITCH and there isn't any other way to describe >it! What else begins to happen is you become morose and at times >depressed because ----- "WHY THE HELL AM I STILL HERE I'D BE BETTER >OFF DEAD SYNDROME CREEPS IN!" > >Once you begin a workout go easy, build a comfortable routine, >preferably with trainer or in some kind of class to slowly build a >routine without over doing it and injuring yourself. BUT DO IT EVERY >DAY!!!! MANDATORY WITHOUT ANY BS EXCUSES ABOUT NOT DOING IT! > >Preferably twice a day! And you can build it back up with the only >reason? You will feel better and what better reason than that? :-) >Trust me, money can't buy the feelings! > >I'm now back into a new routine in my 83rd year! Hell it's only a >number! Before I go out for a walk at 7 a.m. I do 25 squats and >stands rest a few minutes and do another 25, great leg strengthening >routine. Out the door and I'm building to do a 1 hour power walk >through the neighborhood. It's a toughie due to my stupidity of >stopping earlier. DON'T EVER DO THAT IF YOU START! > >A 94 year old doctor friend of mine has one thing he continues to >harp at me..... "If you don't exercise you will die!" Sooner! Than >later! When I go to visit him, my welcoming from him has been ""ARE >MOVING YER ASS YET? OR ARE YOU GOING TO DIE BEFORE ME?" :-) Then he >gives me a big smile and up out of his so called office chair sort >of does a tappy toe thing of dance, breaks out in a big smile! > >And he's 94! And on a walk he can out pace me in a short time. >Embarrassing really! > >The truth is, we do have a bunch of, what shall we say without >embarrassment, ."Quite a number of "mature gentlemen! on list!" >Tina, I don't need to mention as she knows what this stuff is all >about! Actually a few years back she was a major influence on me to >move my ass and get at it! > >So may I address them as the main group! " THE old guys!" :-) DO not >let yourselves become trapped to the TV idiot box most of the day, >refuse becoming involved in truly time wasting events, but do get >involved in losing weight, walking for fun (always take your camera >slung over the shoulder... "JUST IN CASE!' But when you are out for >that early morning power walk........... that is really what you are >doing! You are not out strolling looking for photo moments! If >something major occurs do I really have to tell you what to do? :-) > >Trust me the first week or two? You will hate me and yourself for >being so stupid to start! But do you know what in real time? > >By the first of October you will all feel like new human beings >worth more than hundred bucks! Or more! :-) >Your complete spirit of life and living will become enormous! > >Take care now and get started. Sooner is better! > >Sorry this has absolutely nothing to do with a LEICA ! But IT HAS >EVERYTHING TO DO WITH SOMETHING FAR MORE IMPORTANT! >YOUR PHYSICAL ABILITIES TO USE YOUR LEICA! :-) NOW GET AT IT! ;-) > >cheers >Dr. ted :-) > > >_______________________________________________ >Leica Users Group. >See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information -- Herbert Kanner kanner at acm.org 650-326-8204 Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will pee on your computer!