STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
… an opportunity in search of a working partnership
Thursday May 15, 2014
I often describe myself, and much of my work, as opportunity driven, triggered by new information, a phone call, a meeting – or just by which way my face was pointed …
That is a fundamental truth.
Another truth, for me, and possibly for many others too, is excuse making – not about inconsequential matters like choosing draperies, doing laundry or washing the car – but by putting off, avoiding and excusing-selves from things which contribute so significantly to healthy life and longer life.
It is crazy.
Yet we do it.
OK, not everyone buy many-ones of us do.
I’ve done it.
I’m struggling harder than usual to change that.
Diet, exercise, sleep. Diet, exercise, sleep. Those areas need the attention and – as I am reminding myself each day when I step on my scale or measure my heart rate before-during-after my time on the treadmill – real progress is being made.
I believe it has direct connection to three things; that eating, based on what I know is smart rather that what I crave/ache for, getting more sleep is better than anything I can learn on late night television, and exercise seems to make me smile. Not so much during, but smiling after (maybe it’s the decompressing in the steam room after) . Perhaps all of those.
Getting back into early morning gym routine has been difficult – or so it seems anything seems difficult when comfortable routines are altered. It isn’t difficult at all, but self-excusing-rationalizers like me tell ourselves it is – but it’s just a stalling tactic.
This morning, walking into the YMCA at 6:30 felt really good. And I admire those earlier-birds who were leaving at 6:30, having already done their workouts …
As I eyeball early morning-gymfolk, it seems a different cross-section that afternoon. In part by age (fewer school-age kids, fewer old folks) as one might expect, but more-so based on their apparent levels of fitness/fatness, more robust action and sense of urgency seems apparent, in contrast to those I see when I go in the afternoon or evening.
I used to be a regular but fell out of that habit 4 ½ years ago when I moved residences – where the nearest gym facility was just too far away, so I told myself at the time. It wasn’t a reason, just a lazy excuse I allowed myself.
But spring is here, trees have begun leafing out and each gloomy cloud looks un-snow like. Resuming bike-riding is high on my agenda too. I did quite a bit last year. My bike is among those things yet to be moved, so I’m looking forward to getting back on my saddle.
I’d like to think of, and describe this, as having formed a new strategic alliance – one between my brain and my body. The brain gets it. The opportunity part of my brain gets it but the manage the day-to-day part of my brain gets overloaded and lax sometimes. My body is always a willing participant. It goes wherever my brain sends it. If my brain sends my body to the couch, to an easy chair or back to bed my body is just as compliant as when my brain sends my body to the gym or for a bike-ride.
Mark Kolke
197,912
column written/ published from Calgary
morning walk: 9C / 48F, drizzling overnight gave way to morning, wet is in the air (and soaking Gusta’s belly) but light clouds seem too thin to make it a rainy day; early birds chirping ..
