Hey... Duke Here!!!! I thought I would start a Blog about how life changes when you turn 40. I'm actually 42, but lately feel like I'm 30 again. I bet you're wondering...How'd he do that??? Well I bought a new house; went on a "get healthy" diet; read some motivational books; and, basically, started to enjoy life. I simply got tired of blaming everyone else for what I was not accomplishing. You know what I mean: It's not MY fault...it's the Boss or my spouse or a co-worker and so on. As I see it, people get negative over not accomplishing what they believe they stand for. Take physique for instance. Most 40 plus males are unhappy with their body particularly their weight...they start to compare themselves to others and look for other males fatter than them to justify their lack of commitment to one self. Or they say, I'm too busy to stick to a exercise plan or diet. I'd like to know who they are saying that too...because the only person who is going to care is them. I think the excuses for not having a decent physique are just disappointment in oneself; alternatively lack of self-respect (insecurity). Once you're self-aware of this, then you can make an abrupt change and begin living life with self-respect and a purpose.
Hey it happened to me...here's the story: About a month ago, I find myself putting a bathing suit to go swimming in my pool (remember new house and all). As I stand facing the mirror I see a middle-aged male at 5'11" tall and weighing an astounding 215 lbs. I really don't look that bad for 200+ pounds, but nonetheless feel pretty awkward about hanging outside with my family and friends unless I'm covered with a beach towel the size of an american flag. I actually went in the pool with my T-Shirt still on as I was embarrassed by the size of my "man boobs". My 8-yr old daughter actually asked me why I had boobs like a girl. OUCH!!!! Boy, the negative thoughts started to flow and I began reminiscing about comments people had made to me of late like: "Have you gained weight?"; "Are you enjoying that 3rd hotdog?"; or "You should enter a cannon-ball contest?". STOP And then it hit me like a ton of bricks square on top of the head - I could CHANGE all the negativity instantly...first I had to admit that I was disappointed in myself and needed to immediately instill self-respect into my thoughts. You know...JUST DO IT!!! So for starters, I took off my soaked T-shirt; pulled my bathing suit down below my belly button; let my gut relax; and decided to love myself for what I could be (for the record - I have zero patience so the "what I could be" part was a big step for me). I actually got through the rest of the day without scoffing a bag of Cape Cod potato chips and a half-dozen Coors Light beers. Remember...Tomorrow is a new day, a fresh start so be grateful for the opportunity.
Day 2: Got up at 6:30am on a Saturday, strapped on the running sneakers, an old pair of baggy Champion shorts, an over-sized T-shirt, and charged the iPod. I hit the road with the crazy expectation of cranking out 3 miles in under 30 minutes. Keep in mind that my knees are shot after years of playing ice hockey, I haven't jogged or gone for a long walk in close to a year and I was at the highest weight that I can remember. You've got to give me credit for trying though. I actually walked/lightly jogged 4 1/2 miles in well over an hour...'cause I got lost in my new neighborhood - maybe it was divine intervention, but I had no choice but to go on after I discovered that the road I took did not lead back to my new house and starting point. Man was I spent when I walked through the door. My wife made a comment about me being an extremist and not being able to walk by the time I was 50; my kids hounded me to play a game with them or go for a bike ride, etc. NOBODY CARED that I just got lost while trying to improve my physique. I started to spiral into a negative thought stream that would surely end up at the refrigerator door and a large hoagie (Italien sub) in my gut. Then "SELF-RESPECT" kicked in. I started this for me...to change...to be happier...to be more fulfilled; so somebody did care - ME. And, you know what?? ME is the only one that matters. Ands something else, CHANGE is hard, but after it typically gets worse things always get better...so stick to the plan until things get better. TO BE CONT....
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