Getting in shape

I have never been a consistently and religiously one to exercise. Sure, bits and bits here and there and the occasional flirt with some routine at a gym. But I realized recently that I really don't understand what I need to do to benefit my health as I age. Quite frankly, some of the equipment in gyms these days can be really intimidating. So what is a guy to do?

Get a personal trainer. This sat on my to-do list for a couple of weeks until I finally took action and inquired at one of our clubs. I was referred to a personal trainer whose credentials seem to be close to what I was after in some instruction. At our initial session, I explained I was not necessarily after a weight-lifting routine but core-strengthening, balance improvement and overall toning that would serve me well for the next twenty years or so. I figure by that time it will be too late to undo any more years of neglect. I told Mark, "It has taken me years and a lot of work to get out of shape. It will take some time to get back into it."

For the past two months I have been working twice a week with Mark and occasionally on my own. Not only have I been enjoying the sessions, but feeling and seeing some results. Probably the best reward was during my annual medical examination when my weight in down from a year ago and BMI has dropped three percentage points.

I will be the first to admit this is not an inexpensive undertaking but I feel as though I am making a good investment in my future.