Day 1: Today was the 1st day of my internship at the Wilkes Barre YMCA. I am fairly certain that I am the oldest intern that ever graced their halls, and may even be the oldest intern ever from ESU. That does not really bother me. I know there are many people older than me in better shape, but there are also many people younger in worse shape. I do what I do regardless of what the world does, or expects. I want to have fun during the rest of my life. I know to do that and to be active I have to be in at least fair shape. I can't worry about what others are thinking about my running, or about my push ups, or about my internship. I am not in college at this age for any one's approval. I am there because if ignorance does not have an age limit, learning should not either.

So today I started my internship. In a few months I should graduate with my Masters degree. After that who knows, and who cares. I do what I think is right for ME. I suggest that you do the same.


I gotta be me: good; bad; or indifferent.

Lunch: I am not a dietitian, nor am I a nutritionist. However, I do read about nutrition from time to time. Now that we are embarking on a new year, many people will be taking up new eating habits (at least initially). Some will over do an over due change. This to the left, is my lunch for today. I did not pre-plan to take the picture, it is a normal lunch for me. I know that it is hard to see because I am a better runner than a photographer. The meal consists of one chicken thigh (baked), a little bit of mashed potatoes and some mixed vegetables. My meals are fairly simple. I try to eat more vegetables than protein and more protein than starch. I do not recommend high carb or low carb diets, being vegan, or anything else. The best diet, I feel, consists of: "anything in moderation." I do not run away from pizza, dessert or alcohol. I do like my vegetables, and do not like them slathered in cheese. So, as you chase down what you think your perfect weight is, remember the same food that you ate last year in smaller portions is a change for the better, and when you throw in some exercise (I did do 5 miles this morning), then it is a better change. One last thought, the definition of a calorie is a "unit of  energy."

Food for thought & for fun


Snowy Days: It snowed a little more yesterday, perhaps dropping  5 inches or so.  I guess that is what we get for living in northeastern PA. It was a bit windy and cold but there is no getting out of shoveling. Scranton has about 80,000 people, many of which will be shoveling today. Not all though. Some local residents will refuse to obey the law and of course no one will enforce it. Some businesses will plow their parking lots onto their sidewalks, and no one will enforce that either. Kids will be walking to school in the street because sidewalks are snow covered. Some people will gain a few pounds in the next few months, maybe because they are a little lazier in the winter, but maybe because they are unable to get around. And, while some refuse to participate in society by shoveling, some older Americans will be shoveling and have heart attacks because shoveling snow and cutting grass is the only exercise they get. I prefer to be in good enough shape to shovel, to cut grass, and to complain until things get better. Just the kinda guy I am.

You owe it to yourself to be fit, and to society to care.

Cheeseburger in Paradise: Aside from being the day dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ, tomorrow is Jimmy Buffet's birthday. I am not pointing that out because he is a 66 year old Adonis, or even because he runs or workouts ( he may, but I don't know). I only mention it because he truly does put himself out there as an example of someone that enjoys life. It is on my "bucket list" to get to Key West, Florida, and of course to have a cheeseburger there probably with a beer (maybe a margarita) and enjoy that cheeseburger while in paradise. In addition to enjoying life personified by Jimmy Buffet and Ernest "Papa" Hemingway in the bars of Key West, I plan on being in good enough shape to walk around town (probably NOT do the legendary bar crawl). To do things on your "Bucket List" you need to be able to walk. You need to be in good enough shape to get around town: to see the lighthouse, to go into the shops; to take in the history and the fun. Checking something off a bucket list that you only half do is cheating yourself. To enjoy something fully, you need to be capable, you need to be at least a little fit. Maybe tomorrow after the presents, after giving thanks, you might want to go for a little run or do a few push-ups or sit-ups, and perhaps have a drink and toast Jimmy Buffet.

 

Eat, drink and be merry, but give thanks FIRST.

 

 

Winter Run

 

With winter at hand, a morning run can be a very rude awakening. There is not much I enjoy less than a cool run with a brisk wind. Not much as far as exercise goes anyway. However, I'm sure that a slow run in a cold wind is much more fun than flapping around on the ground clutching your chest. It is probably much more fun than shoving a needle into your thigh or stomach because you're a diabetic. Not running does give your significant other choices for the holidays. What to get someone that has everything (including a growing belly), larger clothes of course. A longer belt may be in order. With the holidays here, the importance of friends and family once again is apparent. Enjoy them this year, and do what you can to be here next year for them too.

 

Embrace the wind, embrace life

 





'Tis the season. The lights are put up at Nay Aug Park in Scranton. The weather has been unseasonably warm for the most part for the past few days. Not in the 70's or anything, but in the upper 40's to mid 50's. All in all good running weather (or walking/playing weather). In a few weeks there will be a new year upon us, and many will profess to lose weight in the coming year. Now is your chance to get a jump on it. Go out, burn a couple calories and make those creaky old joints move. If you do, you can go home, have a few Christmas (or "Holiday") cookies and still feel good about yourself. It is not about being the perfect weight, but it is about being a balanced person. A little exercise, a little cookie, a long, happy, FIT life.

Holiday happy, holiday healthy.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Eat some turkey and potatoes and all. Wash it down with wine then tomorrow go for a walk  or a run or do some push-ups, or some yoga or what ever floats your boat, but do something.

I jumped on the bike before eating. I did a little bit with my dumbells, jumped on the treadmill for a couple of miles and made sure that I stretched well and took my joints through their paces. My knee is tight, my hip is pretty solid, and I'm concerned that if  I don't use them fully, I'll lose what little mobility I have. I'm really not that bad, but I DO beleive that if you don't use it, you lose it, and I'm not ready to lose anything just yet.

Don't be a loser (except some weight or stiffness), move and enjoy life.