Old Man Starts Exercising, Writes Blog

Autumn is the season for change and around our house this year, there are some big changes afoot. In the spirit of that change and newness, I have embarked on some journeys that reflect a new philosophy I am undertaking to follow.
 
I was brought up with and lived my life for the most part using advice my Dad gave me: “Do what you like, but know what you do”. Problem was, for most things I focused on the initial part of the edict and ignored the more important part that followed.
 
We had a good run, me and that all-about-me philosophy. But I have tossed that mind-set for a new one. It’s not a revolutionary or mind-blowing concept and not particularly original, but I had the “come-to-god” moment when engaged in a smoking cessation class provided by CAMH and Bridges community Health Centre.
 
There, I came to realize that the not-smoking journey would result in my considering myself a non-smoker. At some point I would be so far removed from that nasty habit, that my sense of self would not be what it currently was.
 
I decided to apply that idea to other things that were bothering me lifestyle-wise. And two things that jumped out at me were healthier eating and exercise. Go figure.
 
I decided that I would not only be a non-smoker, but I would be the best I could be in all aspects of self-care (to a point, lol).
 
It was fortuitous when I saw on Facebook, that Compassionate Body Pilates was having a contest and the winner would receive 12 weeks of Pilates training.
 
I had no knowledge of what Pilates was except it was exercise people took in classes, but I was determined to win so I did all the liking and sharing and liking that one must do to enter these contest thingys.
 
And I won.
 
Today Diane Archer came for our first session and did a bit of an assessment on my capabilities. I thought it went well. My muscles wondered why the hell they were being stretched out like that and my knees creaked and groaned a little when I was doing the squats, but I loved the breathing aspect of the session and the work required to make the deliberate movements that Diane was asking we to make.
 
I have classes every Tuesday and a 1-1 session every Friday, plus I will have something to do when my partner breaks out the free-weights or spins her work-out CD. I may not be able to keep up with her aerobics and yoga and plyometrics, but I am taking those first tentative steps to better health and a cleaner diet. And besides I like it that the Pilates mat is so much thicker than a yoga mat.
 
In case I want to nap between sets.

By Daniel Willis
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