Staying Fit After Fifty
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by Suzanne Lieurance
A couple of weeks ago I turned 56.
Yikes! I’ve never been THIS old in my life!
But I’m determined to stay active as long as I possibly can.
And one of my favorite ways to get some regular exercise is to attend a turbo kickboxing class a few times a week.
I’ve been going to turbo kickboxing for almost 10 years now.
I love it!
Never mind that I’m usually the OLDEST person in the class these days.
Never mind that I can’t really do ALL the moves.
Never mind that my best sidekick is only high enough to hit someone in the ankles, and the really bouncy moves hurt my knees so I avoid those altogether.
Nope. None of those things matter.
What does matter is that when I’m punching, kicking, and jumping around to the music with everyone else in class, I feel strong and powerful.
And, if I don’t glance at myself in any of the mirrors that line the walls, I’m sure that people watching us from the sidelines are just as impressed by my moves as they are by the young girls alongside me who make it all look more like “hip” boxing than “kick” boxing, anyway.
I just love it when one of the girls I’ve never seen in class before sizes me up, giving me a stiff grin that lets me know she’s thinking - What’s this old lady doing in here? She won’t last 10 minutes once the music starts.
Yet, once the music does start, I’m the one who keeps on kickin’, while this young newbie has to sit it out after the first 15 minutes.
Yep. Staying fit after fifty might not be as easy as it used to be.
But it’s a lot more fun now.
Never mind that this turbo kickboxing newbie was bouncing around at twice the speed I was before she had to sit down and get her heart rate back to normal.
Never mind that she’s never, ever been to a turbo kickboxing class before.
Never mind that she jogged on the treadmill for an HOUR right before class.
Nope. None of those things matter.
What does matter is that while she had to sit it out, I hung in there.
I punched and kicked and bounced around with the best of ‘em till the very end.
And now, even at 56, I can limp out of class with my head held high, one more time!
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Obviously, Suzanne Lieurance is NOT a physical fitness expert. However, as The Working Writer’s Coach, she CAN help you write your own short essays, articles, or even a book, and become a “working” freelance writer yourself. Click on her name at the top of this page, or visit her website at http://www.workingwriterscoach.com for articles and tips on writing, and become part of her network of professional freelance writers at http://www.myspace.com/suzannelieurance
Topics: Fitness, essays, Suzanne Lieurance |
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:11 pm
You’re not old.. You are part of the BABY boomer generation.. we’re always young! (didn’t you get the memo?)
There’s never been a better time to be in our 50’s.. we’re changing what it means to have been around half a century.. just like we’ve defined every social trend for the last 60 years.
We expect to live longer, redefine ourselves at will, and stay active for decades to come.
Retire? I’d have to be doing something I hate to want to do that.
Thanks for the post. Really got me thinking about how great it is to be alive.
Warren Whitlock
BestSellerAuthors.com
September 4th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Suzanne! Turbo Kick Boxing? I think you deserve the Golden Shoe award. My hat is off to you.