Boxing class. The only reason I decided this was a good idea is because I saw one of those Amazon Local coupon deals for boxing/kickboxing classes, so my sister and I gave it a try. I once read that a person shouldn't take up a new sport after the age of 30, and I think, hogwash. I took up running at 40, bought a new bike at 41. Oh, I've had some pain and some nasty spills, but I'm not dead yet. Having said that, the boxing class nearly did me in. I went to one class. One.
I'm not really sure if it was the boxing class, or the yoga class two days later that did the damage, but I pinched a nerve somewhere in my left side that required a round of steroids. The pinched nerve made me decide that boxing might not be my thing, yet.
I healed from that fiasco, and went back to running. Now my sister has talked me into something new again. Pure Barre classes. These classes combine ballet, yoga, pain, pilates, pain, etc., and are kicking my ass (while shaping it nicely at the same time). So far, I remain unscathed, and I love that my energy and metabolism have spiked noticeably. All this brings to mind a saying I read (I don't know who actually said this or I would give them credit), "Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die."
A co-worker drew a graph for me on my whiteboard last week, with an uphill slant he labeled "Youth," a peak labeled "30s" and a sharp, steep drop off he labeled "40s." That moment you discover youth has packed it's Louis Vitton bag (though I've never owned a Louis Vitton bag, because let's be honest...they are hideous) and headed south. What?
This graph squicked me out. I considered taking a picture and adding it to my post, but having to stare at it any longer would have caused irreparable damage to my already fragile psyche, so I erased it, and went back to thinking shiny, happy thoughts.
30s, 40s, WHATEVER (I'm saying this in my best Clueless voice). My brain and my body feel better when I throw myself into something new (even if I try it only once, you know, like boxing). I'm open to new forms of torture exercise in order to beat the ageist approach to fitness right out of me (and everyone else if I ever get back to those boxing classes).
--Fortuitous Observer
