Injuries

Heavy is relative. At my age, I do not quickly recover from an injury. The mantra among the over-50 crowd is "press to lift another day." No more single-rep max days. However, there is no chant for the over-60 crowd, since there are almost no over-60 weightlifters. A few oldies do cardio... most walk the mall. I have admiration for the very few that still tinker at the gym: They look like they can lift a bag of groceries. I feel blessed to do what I do.

For us oldies, it's not about heavy weights. It's about risk versus reward... there is no reward for that risk.

Let's be functional.


-copyright 2014 by Willy.

Out Of What Box?

I like myself, and I like my world.

I'm getting too experienced to do things much differently. I've honed my activities and procedures throughout the years into something that works for me.

For instance, I do not speed... I usually drive slower than the speed limit, unless I'm on the Interstate... and I've been like that since I bought my Vette in '73. Back then, one of the gals at work said "Some old guy was driving your new car!" and I answered "It was me!"

I've got to be me.

I'm good to the core and am also trainable, to some extent, but don't bullstuff me. Some other way may not work for me, and vice-versa. Tell me what you want, but don't tell me how to do it.

When bicycling or hiking, my second and third layers are zippered so as to better control body temperature and evaporation... and I use a convenient water bladder rather than bottles, food bars rather than meals.

Also, if somebody is mean in any way, I disconnect... whether it's a work association, a friendship or a relationship. All it takes is one bitching out or one sleazy action. Life is too short to put up with those people. There are plenty of nice people out there, and solitude is an excellent option.

As it is, every day brings something different to me. My daily prayer is for the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Theme and variation.

Actually, we all follow the theme and variation concept. I can accommodate and adapt, to an extent, but Popeye said "I am what I am and that's all that I am." And they say that you can't teach a pig to sing because it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.

I also believe we must treat people nicely, because of Karma... you reap what you sow. It's best to either accept or give up the pig... whether its them or me.

This pig likes a regimented and disciplined life, with variations. Yesterday it was carpet shampooing and weightlifting. Today it's gym cardio and office cleanup. Tomorrow is hiking and dinner out.


My workouts follow the theme and variation concept... a different one every day that include many different types of cardio, lifting, flexibility and relaxation.

It's natural.

Nature invented the theme and variation concept. Sundown always follows sunrise but there may be rain, heat or cold to accept. If you don't like it... tough. Nature sets the rhythm.


- copyright 2014 by Willy.

Back To It

It was great! I'm back from Christmas vacation... and our usual yearly family reunion in Florida. It was wonderful.

I'm not yet back to work. I am catching up at home instead. I have lots to do. Today was maintenance and new tires for the van, which continues tomorrow with the other vehicles. Cleaning out the home office and carpet shampooing come next in a long list.

Time is my most precious commodity. Some things just get serviced once a year, like family or carpet. I do better with higher priority items or persons. It's a choice, but everything has a priority associated with it... think of a toe tag with a number. Time is limited and I do what I can with what I've got.

However, strength and endurance training is a high priority... and done daily.

It's about rhythm.

Yes, I am obsessive compulsive, but I have order... and I enjoy life.


-copyright 2013 by Willy.

Santa Has Left

Santa has left the building and a new year is upon us. They go fast.

How did I do this year, Santa?

It was a year of accommodation and accomplishment. The flexible survive a hurricane whereas the strong don't. To a good controls engineer, life is about accommodating change.

I hurt my shoulder and thus my muscles suffered, but I did more hiking instead.

A complication at work demanded more management oversight and thus a bigger staff to compensate.

Yet another good friend offered the social graces and I accepted this variation from my solitude. Being the basic model engineer, I will be forever working on this, but have thoroughly enjoyed her as well as her cadre of friends and varied activities.

What will I do next year, Santa?

Thanks to her recent feedback, i will correct a mistake in my relationship with my friend. I went too far in accommodating her: I will stand my ground and give her a good example of diet and exercise, instead of accommodating the seducing darkness.

I will continue to be tough with myself, especially in diet, strength and endurance.

I will accommodate people, but with better judgement.

I will still take quality over quantity.

My goal is to be a tough man. Old just happens.

And I will stay on rhythm.

See you soon enough, Santa. Happy new year!


-copyright 2013 by Willy.