Fitness

My Mid-Life Crisis:  Exercise and Fitness

So a couple of years ago, I went through some sort of mid-life crisis and decided to work on becoming more "fit".  I guess going through a fitness phase is better than going out and buying a Corvette (with three kids), selling the house and moving to a caribbean island, or deciding to quit my job and travel the world.  However, getting (and staying) fit takes time and effort.  Sometimes, the family gets a little tired of me and my fitness; but I keep going anyway.  When I am 80+, I am sure that we will all be thankful that I had a mid-life fitness craze.

So what is fitness?

Running - I started really running in 2011, and carried it on into 2012.  In 2011, I tracked my mileage, and I ran 400 miles.  In 2012, I doubled it, and ran 800 miles.  In 2013, I am actually going to reduce the mileage. I don't run marathons, and don't plan on it -- so no need for the high mileage.  I run 3-5 races per year, all 5K; although in 2013 I definitely will run a 10K.

Weights/Resistance - In 2012, I hit the weights -- not to bulk up or be defined; but after 40, strength training is key to keeping muscles and bones healthy.  I also wanted to aid my running by building strength in my core and legs, and reduce the risk of injury.  I did great for about two-thirds of the year, and then just fell apart.  Again, getting to the gym to lift takes time and effort, both hard to accomplish in tandem with a busy family life.

Swimming - For those that knew me pre-college, my life revolved around swimming.  I was a competitive swimmer and practiced year-round.  I wasn't the fastest swimmer around, but then again, I was probably the laziest competitive swimmer around as well.  I was a "minimalist" when it came to the effort needed to complete.  Whatever it took to remain competitive and stay on the team, that is what I did.  I did swim my freshman year in college, but I did not complete my swimming career.  Looking back, I do have regrets about not continuing; but then again, I wouldn't have my family nor be where I am at in life had I pursued that path.  Swimming is now a fitness goal for me, and I got in the water a few times in 2012.  Heck, I even swam the mile swim in open water at the Summer Camp that I took the Boy Scout troop to.  2013 will bring more swimming for sure.  Maybe there is the possibility I will compete at the masters level in the future.

Nutrition - 2012 was a big nutrition year for me.  I spent a lot of time reading and researching foods, and started logging my daily food intake.  Again, I did great for the first two-thirds of the year, and then just sort of fizzled out.  However, even though I fizzled out at the end of the year, my eating habits and sense of nutrition became a habit for the most part; and ultimately, I was able to lose 30 pounds by eating right and exercising.  Granted, about 10 of those pounds are back; but I don't blame food entirely, I also blame the fact that I am not doing the weights/resistance training that continues to burn calories a lot longer than the running sessions.  2013 will be a year that I get back on track with this and take those 10 pounds back off.  Still, being down 20 pounds from the start of the year to the finish is great -- and I know that I am healthier than I have been in 20 years.