Last week I had the pleasure of working in New York City. I planned a few hours to walk around the city before getting back on a plane to come home. I’m so glad I did.
One of my favorite places to be is New York – there’s energy there. And one of my favorite things to do is “people watch.” So I went to Bryant Park, which is just behind the New York Public Library. Wow – this is the kind of day you only dream about.
The weather was perfect, around 78 degrees. The sky was robin blue, not a cloud was around and a gentle breeze was the cherry on top of my day. Spring had arrived! This is why I love New York! Green and fresh and clean –not the gray concrete image so many people have of the city.
Walking around the park, I noticed people of all ages – young, middle, old, and even older. They were reading, writing, taking photos of the park, drinking coffee and/or just sitting and watching.
What I really like about spring is that all those bulky back east clothes come off. Hemlines rise (there use to be a theory that the higher the hemline, the better the stock market performs), tee shirts are the norm, and I was just about the only one with socks on.
And I as I looked at people, and I admit to watching mostly women, I noticed a glow that most of them had. The weather had been cold and rainy the past few days, but spring had popped her head out for a few days prior and people had that summer glow already. Okay, it’s not healthy, but it looks so good.
Then I noticed my skin. Dry and almost brittle looking, I was looking old because of my skin! I almost panicked. I saw my reflection in a mirror at that time and felt very out of place and very old. Something I almost never do.
For years my wife has told me to put creams on my hands and feet, face, arms – the whole body. I only do it when she’s watching me. Not anymore. Talking with a doctor friend, he told me that many of the creams protected from the sun and actually helped to heal the skin.
Then my eyes drifted down to my tummy. Oh my goodness – where did that basketball come from? And yes, it looks like a basketball.
Here’s the thing; while I like looking at other people, I also want to be looked at as well. With summer just around the corner, I want to look great! I want to look healthy. Hell – I want to look young and sexy. I know – I can only do so much.
This is what I plan to do: in the next six weeks I will lose 14 pounds. That will put me at only 22 pounds more than I was when I graduated high school. Only 22 pounds more than I was when I was married. I’ve actually gained more pounds than I have been married! I have to do something and do it now!
First thing – I’m cutting out soda. I love the tickle of a cold Coke going down. I always have. But I’m stepping up to the plate and will only drink water – most of the time. And those very bad carbs – like chips and crackers – forget them. I will eat protein and low fat foods. I will go to the gym (I’m leaving in a few minutes) and do cardio for at least 30 minutes.
Here’s the thing. I really need some help. If you have ideas on what I can do to drop those ugly old-making pounds, let me know. Help me out. Help yourself out and join me in getting ready for the summer. I want to look like David Hasselhoff in six weeks (perhaps a little shorter) because for a guy over 50, he still looks great.
Spring 2008 has awakened me to realize that I need to work at looking good. And to look younger.
Of course there is the problem with working out at the gym. This has nothing to do with being old or young. It has to do with being coordinated. I’m not and never have been.
A few years ago a friend of mine – a very coordinated friend fell off her treadmill and broke loads of things – a knee, an arm, a wrist and who knows what. Ever since I have to hold on to anything I’m running on because I don’t want to break anything.
Then there’s the guy thing. This is an ego issue. I don’t know why, but it’s embarrassing when a woman can bench press more than I can. Oh well, I just have to get over myself and get to working out.
As stated – my personal goal is lose 15 pounds by mid July. Let’s make it July 12, my birthday. What kind of fitness promise can you make to yourself to get in shape by this date? Let me know what your goal is and how you will accomplish it.
Growing old sucks – but it doesn’t have to!
P.S. I have to tell you I cheated on this! I frankly wasn’t sure that I could lose weight because I have never tried before. I wrote this at the end of May. It’s now the beginning of August. I wanted to be sure that I could lose the weight before I posted this article. I dropped 12 pounds. Wow – 12 pounds! It took me a little longer than I thought it would, but I did it! I’ll post a photo of the new “Mark” soon.
