“What is an ugly truth about getting older?”
I saw this on Quora. The guy’s answer…
“The ugly truth of getting older is that what you know and believe doesn’t jibe with how you live after a lifetime of experiences.”
He’s right.
I knew all along that staying physically and mentally fit would pay off later in life. I knew this. There is no escaping it. I saw old people who were in good shape. But I also saw many more old people who never took care of themselves.
Even though I knew this — I mean, I saw it right in front of me — I let myself go. I convinced myself I felt pretty good. I would get dressed, suck my stomach in, look in the mirror, and say, “You look good.”
Then one day I noticed something. When I stepped out of the shower, I was avoiding looking at myself in the mirror. That’s a big hint that maybe, just maybe, I need to get back in shape.
But in spite of this obvious clue, I say, “I don’t want to become one of those workout people. They are boring and uninteresting. I’ve got better things to do with my time.” (This was my rationale; what’s yours?)
Over time, I allowed my body to go. But when it got bad enough (for me, that meant hitting my “never to exceed” weight or facing bigger pants), I stopped lying to myself. I didn’t look good or feel good.
In 2014, we moved from our house into a high-rise building. In that building was a gym.
Right after the move, I faced the fact that I was way out of shape. With a gym a few flights down, I had no excuse. But I still didn’t want to work out.
One day, completely disgusted with my lack of discipline, I made a commitment.
“Tomorrow, get dressed in a pair of shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers. Go to the gym and sit there for thirty minutes. You don’t have to do anything. Just go and sit there. After thirty minutes, you can leave and come back to the condo.”
The next day I did this. Lo and behold, I got to the gym, and people welcomed me. I met some new neighbors and was invited to join them. I began to feel a little motivated. I eventually got up and started walking on a treadmill.
This first visit, based on my ridiculously low-bar commitment, got me started. I got in really good shape over the next couple of years.
But over time, I began getting busy and lazy. More lazy than busy, to be truthful. I started missing a day here and a day there. The next thing I know, it is time to buy bigger pants.
What did I do?
I made the same low-bar commitment and eventually followed through.
Guess what?
It worked…again.
So what is the ugly truth about getting older?
I know better. (But I need to live the truth.)
Another truth I learned is how quickly bone and muscle disappear as we get older. To honor this truth, I made another commitment at age sixty-five.
I committed to a daily ten-minute workout and stretch routine. Something I could do no matter where I am or what time it is. I had to do it every day. It included:
Stretching my back
100 sit-ups
50 push-ups
30 squats
I actually did this every day for the last 8 years. Yes, even I am surprised. But it was so easy. Come on! Ten minutes.
Recently, I had a full-body scan to compare my muscle and bone mass with others my age. I was surprised to see I was well above average.
I couldn’t help but think: “Those 10 minutes a day made a huge difference.”
One more story
I have a dear friend who always stayed in shape. He was a big party guy, but despite that lifestyle, he never let himself go. But one day in his early seventies, he did. He is now almost eighty.
He confessed to me recently.
“I am so out of shape. There is no going back. I’m too old. I no longer have any stamina. It hurts too much to walk or even bend over. I should have never let this happen to me.”
I can see how he feels this way. Every year we wait makes the climb to health in older age even steeper. But as a doctor said to my sister, who suffered from arthritis in her knees, “Motion is lotion.”
If you are like I was and know you are out of shape, get into your workout clothes, go to the gym, and sit there for thirty minutes. It will change your life now and well into your old age.
Live the truth. Start now. You know better.