Aging…
I turn 40 on Wednesday of this week. And you tend to get a bit reflective at a milestone year like that. And coincidentally, its been an interesting year for my health so I’m reflecting and revising the way I live my life.
Early in the year, I began the Body-For-Life program and lasted a full three weeks before I was overwhelmed by events and disinterest. All I can say is that I love to eat and I hate waiting till Sunday to cheat. But having said that, I’ll probably renew my bid to get leaner using a more manageable program in the near future.
In those early days in January and February, I was working out in my corporate gym. On one of those days, I saw a co-worker of mine on the exercise bike. He’s a big man and I was applauding him (secretly) for working on his weight. However, not too long after that there were rumors circulating around that he was facing some sudden and very severe health issues. In fact, he had cancer and needed immediate surgery. He’s not really been to work since those days.
What struck me was that this seemed to happen so suddenly and so randomly. And I couldn’t help but wonder what latent problem was secretly awaiting me. And in March, I started to have numbness and tingling in my right arm. It was intermittent, but always tied to a certain posture. My psychosomatic mind took this to new depths as I began to analyze every pain that my body felt.
But the arm situation was real and I went to get it checked out. In short, it was suggested that I take some muscle relaxant like Motrin and that maybe I had a pinched nerve. The numbness became manageable and I more or less have lived with it ever since. However, in seeing the doctor, I decide to get a full physical. I fretted while the results were being tabulated. Then finally, I called and found out that all was normal.
Then in the last two weeks I got a strangely-timed and persistent Summer cold. My energy level dropped and I had pains near my heart and fatigue in my left arm. I was sure I was going the route of Bill Clinton. So on Friday, I made my second visit to the doctor in a week and seeked additional antibiotics to get over this sickness (as a side note, I’m going to Kauai on Wednesday, so I HAVE TO GET OVER THIS!). Anyway, the doctor ended up subjecting me to an EKG to check my heart. And again I fretted while the results were being analyzed. Of course, the results were normal.
However, there will be a day when all does not return normal. What I’ve learned from these two experiences is to really value these days when you feel great and to make the most of them. Live a little. And yet take care of yourself so that you have many more in return. There will be a day when your body doesn’t have its youthful energy and doesn’t recover well. Be prepared for that day and make the most of the days that preceed it.
In my case, I’ve always had boundless energy and have felt life would go on as it is now forever. In fact, I still view life mostly as such. However, I’m a little bit more mature about the formula for living and longevity.
I wanted to share this just in case it hit home with anyone else out there. And yeah, I admit that I’m a little bit of a pyschosomatic nutcase. What can I say? I’m human…and so are you.
