We’ve all heard it before: “I’m going to die anyways, might as well enjoy life while I can.” This phrase is usually followed by the culprit’s wild tales about eating whatever you want, not working out and watching TV and playing video games all day with a beer in one hand and a bucket of chicken in the other. Let's call the offender 'Mike'.
This outlook on life can certainly be addicting: 25 years old, carefree, devil-may-care, everything you need to ‘fully’ enjoy life.
Let’s fast forward 15 years: 40 years old, Mike is approaching middle-age. His body gets aches and pains, he’s tired all the time. But he carries on – he’s never worked out before, no use starting now. Besides, he does hike up the stairs each night - that counts, right?
Fast forward another 30 years. Mike had a fall; not uncommon for a man in his seventies. He broke his hip, as many do. But he had his surgery, and he’s been out of physical therapy for a couple of months now. He’s walking with a cane; in another 10 years, at best, he may be using a wheelchair.
Here’s the point, more likely than not, if you’re lucky, you WILL grow old. Growing old is not a death sentence, it is merely a fact. You have two options:
1. Grow old and healthy or
2. Grow old and decay
Each day that you don't exercise is another day that your body believes you are shutting down. Think about animals that hibernate; each year, their bodies shut down and rest. Before going into hibernation, animals load up on food to keep them going throughout the winter. During hibernation, their metabolism plummets - less energy is produced so the food can sustain their bodies until Spring. With that in mind, think of it this way... when you don't remain active and when you fill your stomach to the brim with food, you are telling your body that you are preparing for hibernation. Your metabolic rate decreases, you have less energy and you gain weight. Less energy = more sleep and less time being active. It's a vicious circle that will keep going until you get up and move.
A little extra effort each week is the difference between hibernating (an early trip to a nursing home) and being an independent member of society. It’s not the quantity of the years, but the quality of the years within them. Yes, it’s cliché... but actually think about the words. I’m not saying you can’t enjoy life, I’m merely suggesting that you enjoy it responsibly.
It doesn't matter how old you are; it is NEVER too late to start working out. Workout – not just cardio, strength training as well (dare I suggest two times each week). Strength training will prevent broken bones, not cardio. Cardio will keep your heart healthy but strength training will keep your bones and muscles strong. It's your bones and muscles that will catch you when you trip, not your heart.
But nobody puts Cardio in a corner and neither will I. Neither strength training or cardio is better than the other. In order to be healthy, you need both. Without a strong heart and good blood flow, strength training will do you no good. What good are strong muscles and wash-board abs if you have clogged arteries and are heart-attack bound?
Nobody is going to give you a new body and there is no warranty for mistreated or run-down parts. You are the only person who can make the change and make your life a healthy one. When your body is in bad shape, your ability to enjoy life at 20, 30, 60, 80, etc. is significantly impaired. Workout now and you won't regret it later.
Have a great workout! :)
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