Today I had to get up early to be at work way up in Orleans at 9 am. If you told me two months ago I’d be doing this, I would’ve told you you’re crazy – no way would I get up at 6 am on a Saturday to leave at 8 to be at work at 9 in Orleans – willingly.
Well, that goes to show you how in the space of a few weeks one’s perception of life can shift dramatically. I did just that – and liked it. My drive to Orleans on a beautiful fall morning, sipping pumpkin coffee, turning up the music, felt great. Upon arriving I found the club full of ladies rockin’ it on a Saturday morning. Before long I was involved in helping a new member, 74 years old, do her workout. This lady was my inspiration. When I told her I just turned sixty, she told me I’m a young one and I’d better keep doing this because it takes a lot longer to get back in shape at her age. She told me how she lost a lot – her farm, her horse, and more and grief just did her in. She stopped all physical activity for a year. She said this has happened to her before, but she could regain her fit level rather quickly. Not so when you’re in your seventies, so she wanted to caution me to never let it go.
She didn’t know my story that I spent three months in a chair and lost a fit level I spent ten years building, then tried everything I knew to get it back. And it was hard – near to impossible. But she was 74. I’m now saying, “I’m only sixty.” This lady inspired me to view myself as having many, many more years to want to live an active life and take responsibility for doing so.
As fit coaches, we have to make a “Why I Koko” sign with our pictures in a frame that they hang up in our home club. My experience working with members like this lady helped me decide my answer to that question. Mine says:
“I just turned 60 and I Koko because I want to enjoy our Cape Cod beaches and still Koko when I’m 70.”
I put the pictures below in the frame with my answer. I’m proud that it hangs in the Mashpee club. This job and the people I work with daily have changed my life.
What are you doing to take charge of your fitness? You, too, have a lot more years to live an active life. You will never be younger than you are today, so don’t waste a minute of it. Access your activity level. Is it enough? Monitor your metabolism, because it slows with each passing year, making getting fit tougher. Each decade you lose 40% of your muscle mass. Will you be able to workout when your 74? I will. I will also be able to chase grandchildren and enjoy my beach. You can too. Make a decision today to make a plan. (And if you live on CapeCod get yourself into one of our five Koko’s and let me help you change your life.)
And so, as another day goes by, I am so happy to be back to work helping people live healthy, active lives on into their 70’s, and…I have written.
Ten years from now…still…
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