Getting back in shape

If memory serves me well, this is the 17th time in my 57 year old life that I’m getting, “back in shape”.  By that measure, it seems it would have been much easier to just stay in shape, but that ship has circled the globe.  Four times I believe.

I’ve always been good at recognizing when things have gotten out of hand, setting a plan of action, and sticking to it.  It has worked wonders.  16 times, to the best of my recollection.

The last time I got in shape was a little over a year ago.  After an oncology check up I committed myself to lose weight, and did, about 35 pounds over a course of 5 months.  I accomplished this mainly by walking 30 minutes a day and eating whatever I wanted…so long as it didn’t exceed 1800 calories a day.  And it did work.  Went two two pant sizes and no more back problems.

I should say at this moment I’m not that bad out of shape.  I probably put back on 10 pounds of that weight I lost but this winter has caused excessive inactivity, unless snow shoveling counts.  If it does count then I am the healthiest person on the planet.

I was an avid gym guy for about 35 years, then I quit cold turkey in December of 2016.  The gym I was going to (I won’t mention the name) for 18 years was in the midst of ownership change and a makeover.  I made a remark to one of the managers that it started to resemble a hotel gym.  I was told I was welcome to leave and go somewhere else if I didn’t like it.  After 18 years.  18 years of $75 per month.  Oh, hell, it was Main Line Fitness on Haverford Road in Haverford.  Good bye.  Good riddance.  And I did not let the Stairmaster cord hit me in the rear end on the way out.

So I left.  That day.  Never looked back.  And I haven’t missed it one day.  I can’t recall ever enjoying a workout.  Any workout.  I did it because I had to do.  Because although my foundation often had cracks I didn’t want it to crumble altogether.  But I never enjoyed it.  Especially the people.  Talking about the most inane things, what they couldn’t eat, what they wouldn’t eat, having to come in extra because of Thanksgiving…blah, blah, blah.  Gym people are the shallowest and most boring people alive.

So, back to me…so, today restarting my daily walk, at 6:30 am, 2-1/2 miles, followed by 1800 calories a day and basketball on Monday nights, as always.  I expect to be where I need to be by the end of May.  Then what?  What happens, always, when we reach our goal?  And we have no more goal?  We reward ourselves for a job well done.  For about three months.  And then we start the process all over again.

The ultimate goal…is life.  Longer life, healthier life.  Which seems like a good thing.  Although I was really hoping to shuffle off this cesspool before all of the shit really hits the fan.  I’m not sure I want to see what people are like, what the climate is like, what the country is like in the year 2043.

Maybe I’ll just have another donut.