Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 223 – Where Will You Live?
Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 223 – Where Will You Live?
Where Will You Live? (08-04-08)
It’s 4:15 AM again, and I’m awake. After quietly slipping out of bed and donning my workout clothes and shoes, I make my way downstairs to the kitchen. Here, like a wizard with his potions and powders, I mix up my daily protein shake. Two scoops of chocolate whey, one teaspoon of creatine, 16 ounces of water, shaken not stirred. The only thing missing is some mystical incantation. I down half the draught and put the rest away in the refrigerator for post workout.
My second descent of the morning takes me to the basement and my gym. Waiting, ever so patiently, is the cat who will not be ignored. Before all else, she must be fed and supplied with water and a clean litter box. It’s a humbling experience to clean up after a pet and often puts a life into much needed perspective. With her needs attended to, I can now begin my morning’s activities. I open my binder to my latest routine, click my pen, note the time and my weight and begin my warm-up.
I am no stranger to this morning regimen and, at times, it seems almost second nature. One might almost say I could do it in my sleep. On more than one occasion I have come pretty close to doing just that. For well over six years now, this has been the beginning of most of my days. For well over 2, 000 mornings this has been a part of my life.
On this particular morning, after some foam rolling, stretching and warm-up, my first exercise of the day is the front squat. Six sets of four repetitions is the order of the day. I hate these things, because of my long arm length and difficulty positioning the bar with its strain on my wrists. I hate them, yes, . . . but I do them. With 185 loaded on the bar I begin my first set and for some reason I notice it.
It’s been there since I put my gym together those many years ago. Perhaps, because I am doing a front squat and facing the wall, it pops into view each time I rise from the squat position. “It” is a poster that I have on the cinder block wall behind the squat rack. It’s a simple yellow poster with red letters and a red border that has twelve words on it. Those words are “If you don’t take care of your body, where will you live?”
I don’t know who first said those words, but, for some reason, they are very important to me. Right now, I am living in a body that is probably in the best shape it has ever been or, at least, in better shape than it should be at my age. If you think about it, many of us spend more time and effort caring for our houses, apartments and condos, than we do for our bodies, the one place that is truly and most distinctly our home and the one place that we will have to count on the most as the years take their toll.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live in a body that weighs me down and compels me to move slowly. I don’t want to live in a body that is out of shape and will not respond to my needs. I don’t want to live in a body that has lost its flexibility and fights me with every move. Where will I live? I will live in a body that is not perpetually sitting on a sofa in front of the TV. I will live in a body that will carry me to other people, places, and even adventures. I will live in a body that will make me feel alive instead of one in which I am merely existing.
Where will I live? I will live in a body that will carry me through life, until I am carried by six others in a horizontal position and no longer able to do a sit-up and not one moment sooner. A rather morbid thought, don’t you think? But, if you think hard, that is what it comes down to. Believe me. On more than one occasion I have thought about throwing in the towel. Living a healthy life style is not always easy. It is a commitment and it is often a tough journey, but one that is well worth the effort. Because, when presented with the question “Where will you live?” you can smile and know that, hey, you are already home.
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Have a Great Week!
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__________________ In Fitness & Friendship, MAHLER
______________________________ __________________________ There is no light at the end of the tunnel. You carry the light with you.
It's great to know that you have those days too John. Excellent motivator yet again. I wonder if we can get you published?????
I have many signs like yours in my basement gym. Two of my favorites: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" and " Diamonds are nothing more than chunks of coal that stuck to their job"
__________________ "I'm growing older but not up. My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck. So let the winds of change blow over my head. I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead."
Those are variations of the thoughts I have every day. I live in Florida and because of where I live many of my social contacts are retired people who are 55+. You go to a social event with them and always the discussions centers on medication, pains, surgeries, etc. I can't remember the last time I could join in a conversation and talk about sports or cars.
But I have always known that I want a retirement where I can do what I want and not be limited by any physical ailments. And I am always surprised at how much I enjoy lifting.
Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 223 – Where Will You Live?
"I'm growing older but not up. My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck. So let the winds of change blow over my head. I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead."
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