The new year is young, and the annual “get fit” message is in full swing. Who among us can ignore the fresh-faced people sporting the latest in workout fashions and gear, appearing in the mailbox before holiday overindulgences are fully digested? It’s enough to cause a psychotic fit only repeated when those same models appear once again, sans the workout clothes, showing off their gazelle-like bodies and loudly proclaiming “swimsuit season is here”.
Fitness fads past and present make it quite clear that long-term motivation is key. While pondering that thought, I stumbled upon a revelation that has got to be the Holy Grail in fitness motivation for parents. There’s important work to do in the future, and we’ll need to be in tip-top shape. I know it doesn’t sound like much fun in the here and now, but anything worth having is worth waiting for, right? The anticipation alone gets my blood pumping. Do you see where this is heading? We’ve got to live into old age; there’s retribution to be paid.
Not all parents feel the need to give back to today’s youth, but Jeff and I regularly fantasize about the things we’ll do when we visit our grown children in their homes. Recording the finer points of our plan protects good ideas from being lost to future “senior moments”, and quite frankly, it’s what keeps us going.
As it is my goal to motivate others into good health, I’ll touch on the highlights: complain about the meals prepared; carve on the furniture with a pocket knife; put plates of half-eaten food under the bed, not to be discovered until a family of roaches has moved in, and multiplied; stop up the toilet, continue flushing until overflow is achieved, and tell no one, as this is a treat best experienced with no warning; and last, but not least, stuff wet towels (same ones used to mop up toilet overflow contents) into the deep recesses of a closet, and close the door to ensure the proper warmth and humidity mildew needs to thrive. Get the picture?
In the past, I have dieted/exercised purely for vanity’s sake, but as I rapidly approach forty, I’m becoming more concerned with my health. This recent epiphany makes sweating and eating right sound almost enjoyable. Doctors say healthy habits that will carry us into the geriatric stage of life must be consistent, and started early. I hope I’m not too late.
Of course I don’t really plan on doing those things to my children, but it is FUN to think about. I’m still going to make some deposits to the good-health account, and be a good steward of the vessel that will see me through this life. If nothing else, I want to be around to receive the exasperated phone calls beginning with “you’re not going to believe…”. Yeah, I’ll believe it. I wonder if they’ll realize who planted the seed in that darling grandchild.
Younger people secretly wonder why senior citizens are such a happy lot; now we know. Take care of yourself now…you’ll be ecstatic later.
© 2008 Natalie Whatley