“Old age ain’t for sissies” – a new journey begins

“Old age ain’t for sissies.”

That particular quote is attached to a sign at my doctor’s office.  I read it, and of course agree with it, on my infrequent trips to see my much younger doctor.  It seems that at some point on each visit he always begins a sentence like this: ‘Well, Jim … men your age…

And while I label myself ‘disgustingly healthy’ I understand that the ‘men your age’ line is just a subtle way for him to remind me that Father Time is marching on and that I’m not quite as young as I used to be.

I have never been one to worry and fret about age. Turning 30 was a piece of cake, 40 was even easier and I didn’t flinch at 50.  When I turned 55 it had a little different feel to it, mainly I thought, because I started drawing a pension from 20 years with the UMWA.  Much to the dismay of my children, I celebrated age 55 with my first-ever tattoo.  See, even old, grey-haired conservatives can get a little wild once in awhile!

But, when 2013 rolled in and I took a good look at the calendar I realized that this would be the year that I turn 60.  Wow, I thought, that’s got a completely different sound to it – the sound of old.

And on top of turning 60 I also find myself overweight, out of shape and pretty much leading a sedentary lifestyle.  Even though I work 70-80 hours a week it’s all done from the seat of my pants.  Couple that with odd work hours and a penchant for late night cheeseburgers, nacho platters and potato chips and you get the picture.

I have spent the first few months of this year in somewhat of a dilemma, knowing I needed to do something but not knowing for sure what.  I know I need to diet and exercise but can’t seem to get that quick start that could keep me going.  As many of you know, excuses not to do the right thing are many and quite easy to find. And staying in front of the television or the computer is so much easier than making the trek to the fitness center or to the treadmill where many of my clothes hang. I can’t count the Sunday nights I’ve gone to bed thinking that Monday morning I would turn over a new leaf and start doing better.  After all, like Dr. Latta likes to remind me … ‘men your age.’

However, those ‘Monday Morning Miracle Turnarounds’ normally last until about midday on Tuesday and I would quickly backslide to my old habits.  In short, I decided I had two options – I could either continue on my current path or try to improve my health. And since I’m miserable on my current path I chose option two.  But, how to get it done remained the question.

In recent weeks I have been tossing around an idea and this week I put it into action.  I realized that I need somebody to help me figure out what I need to do – both diet and exercise.

So, I contacted Warren Stark at Stark Total Body Fitness, in Benton and told him that I needed a personal trainer and that I wanted to document what took place on each visit and post it on my website and Facebook.  I explained that I turn 60 on November 1 and I wanted to start on May 1 – which gives me exactly six months to see what I can accomplish.  He loved the idea and from there he got Stetson Browning — a personal trainer at Stark’s and a personable young man from Benton — involved and a plan was quickly put into place.

I met with Stetson and he explained what we would be doing in the way of exercising, weights, diet, nutrition, etc.  He talked about the things I would have to quit (including my Diet Coke) and how much better I was going to feel in short order.  His enthusiasm for what I am trying to accomplish was off-the-charts and contagious.  He told me that he had never had anybody quit … which of course put a little more pressure on me not to be the first.  And the fact that I will be documenting my three-time-weekly sessions adds even more pressure.  But, most importantly he made me feel like I could succeed – with his help.

As I left Stark’s, brimming with confidence that I was about to venture out on a new and exciting journey I thought of one of my favorite quotes from Michael Jordan, who said: ‘I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.’

To me, failure is not doing anything so I’ve decided I am going to try! I am going to spend the last six months of my 59th year trying to improve my health, fitness and hopefully create a new lifestyle change.  And I am going to (hopefully) take you along for the ride.

The journey begins at 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 1.  Stay tuned!