Working to Not Work Out

Some days I wonder how much bigger a pain in the ass I’d be if I didn’t blow off steam by getting regular exercise. I pretty much work out seven days a week. Taking a day off is hard for me. I am afraid that one day of rest will lead to a lifetime of laziness. By now you’d think I’d have gotten over my fear of becoming an exercise slacker. I’ve been walking 3-4 miles regularly for many years. I played volleyball for 20+ years like I was getting paid to and had a closetful of trophies to prove it. But still, I’m afraid that letting my guard down and giving myself that prescribed day off will lead to sloth and delivery pizzas and ultimately, trips to Lane Bryant for brightly colored tunic tops and pants with elastic waists.

By now I’ve figured out my weight is much more dependent on how much I lift the fork to my mouth rather than anything else I lift or strain. But it’s too late — I’ve become an exercise junkie. Last year I turned 50 and decided to pump up my workouts, which led to my current routine. During the work week, I usually take a brisk (I can do a mile in under 14 minutes), 40-ish minute walk at lunch time. Tuesdays and Thursdays after work I take an hour-long yoga class. Twice a week after work, I use upper and lower body weight machines. I meet up with a friend for water-jogging or a fast walk after work once a week. On Saturdays I attend a morning yoga class and then usually do a fast walk or bike ride in the afternoon. Sometimes after yoga, we go to lunch then walk on the beach. On Sundays, I ride my bike for 30 - 60 minutes, sometimes hit tennis balls on the outdoor racquetball courts, then occasionally do a 30-minute walk. In the summer, a lot of walking is replaced by laps in the pool — either water-jogging or kicking laps. I’m not really a lap swimmer. Sometimes I actually play tennis but it’s hard to fit it in.

This routine sounds like a lot to some people. But it doesn’t feel like a lot to me. I’m getting the aerobic, strength, balance, flexibility, and resistance training I think I need. But more importantly, it makes me feel good. I love my yoga classes. I practice with my friends and we laugh a lot before, during and after. My walks provide a chance to catch up with friends. Ditto on the pool workouts. Tennis lifts my spirits and gets my competitive juices flowing. Come to think of it, I laugh a lot on the tennis court. In fact, all my workouts are fun or provide a means for me to get in some quality thinking time. A friend who’s a couple of years older has suggested more than once I ease off a bit. A friend who’s many years younger asked if it wasn’t time for me to slow down after I told him I’d fallen off my bike over the weekend. Well, I’ll slow down but I hope it’s not any time soon. And when I do, I really hope it’s voluntary.