Come back to shape

The other day I was rushing to go to my hometown. When I got out of the bathroom, I just ran straight, to put on my clothes. That was when I saw myself in the mirror. After so many years, I saw myself naked in the mirror. And I couldn’t believe the shape I was in. Have I become shorter? No, it can’t be! Have I bulges everywhere?. I turned and looked at me from the sides. Worse than before !. My tummy appears to protrude forwards. Is there a bag under the chin? God ! This is not the same me.

I knew I have been putting on some weight recently, but hadn’t guessed it was this bad. I checked my weight. I have put on a good five kilogram during the last year. I am a doctor and haven’t bothered to check my weight for few months! .My exercise program had changed after our duty plans changed. And I had been eating carelessly too.

I used to walk about 6 to 8 kilometers every day, on all days except when I was on call. There were few of us friends who would join the walk in the evening. It is easier and more fun if you have some friends to walk with. I couldn’t convince my wife to go for a walk with me, at any time. Otherwise we could continue our arguments there as well ! Those of you who still keep up the romance, do it.

So, I have decided to go back on exercises. Being a doctor I thought I might as well share this thought with all my friends out there, instead of grumbling about life all the time. I know most of you are in better shape, still.

When was the last time you have seen yourself naked in the mirror? If not, go ahead and have a look today.....as soon as you get home from work, get naked, weigh yourself, look at yourself from different angles.  Then you can see what you really look like right now ! 

 

How much did you weigh when you were 25 years old?   You were a grown up person by then. Then you began to "fill out", spread out, thicken up, started to forget about your health, become complacent about your body shape?  Got married, started thinking about responsibilities, and the future?  Stopped thinking about your appearance, bought age- appropriate clothing, and bigger sizes every year?   Started exposing less skin, covering up the bulges, dressing to impress others, but not trying to impress yourself?  Most of us in India do not make it a practice to go to the swimming pool or to the beach in swim wear, so don’t have reasons to show ourselves. So, others, as well us, wouldn’t probably notice. 

It is time to find out what the lifestyle changes did to you.  Let's see what everyone but you see! What happened to you, what about your youthful looks, your younger shape?  Gray hair is OK, that's not the problem. Balachandran wouldn't agree. But you can use some hair color once in a while, if it gives you confidence ( Don’t ever mention it was recommended by a doctor ! A relative of mine was found to have bladder cancer and the doctor asked if he had been using hair dyes. They have been linked to cancer of the bladder )

Some people are intimidated by the idea of beginning an exercise lifestyle. They think people will stare at them, see them trying to change their bodies.  They are afraid of being talked about, criticized, and laughed at.  In the beginning they will.  But eventually all that negative commentary will turn into respect and positive compliments.  Your physical activity will cause others to examine themselves in the mirror, nakedly, and some of them will reach the same conclusion that you reached, "It's time to do something good for myself, before the sedate lifestyle makes me flabby and lazy and affects my health."

I was trying to get some information on a proper exercise plan, and that is when I came across the term Calisthenics. They are the performance of physical exercises to promote flexibility, strength, and fitness without using machines.  Like squats, stretches, bending, sit-ups, crunches, pushups, leg lifts, movements like that. 

There are numerous methods to beat the weight and stay fit, calisthenics workout being one of them. Bodyweight calisthenics exercises help in improving the overall fitness, physique and strength of a person. Calisthenics originated from the Greek words, 'kalos' meaning beauty and 'thenos' meaning strength. Check out the benefits of a calisthenics workout.

The origin of calisthenics is linked to gymnastics. Calisthenics workouts increase the metabolic rate of the body hence these exercises should continue with a smooth flow from one exercise to another. The calisthenics workout should not be stopped all of a sudden in between exercises. Initially each exercise can be repeated for five times and as you get used to the workout each exercise can be repeated 25 to 30 times. It is recommended that you begin calisthenics workout after a few warm up exercises. This exercise workout can be made more interesting by playing music and following the rhythm.

Combine the usual calisthenic exercises like squats, sit-up/crunches, arm, knee and hip rotation, flutter kicks and jumping jack etc. Drink plenty of water. Combine this with your daily walk or jogging…and there you are!

Ten years younger!  How would your husband react if you looked and acted 10 years younger? How do you think your wife would enjoy being married to a much-younger you?

Why don't you give it a try and find out ?


Now,the picture below is for illustrative purposes only! If it gives you a stimulus to come to shape, start now !