My October 15, 2011 blog, “Ten Things Seniors Need”, included Daily Routine in the list. I wrote the ten thoughts without much explanation. Later, I expanded on a few of them and this blog will examine the Daily Routine with a little more thought in two parts. Part one will examine my personal reflections and the second part will be address the daily routine in a more practical manner.
My current life revolves around work, exercise and weekends. Work is the predominant activity. And it has been since I was around fifteen years old with my first job as a morning newspaper delivery boy. Serious work routines didn’t start until I left college just before my nineteenth birthday (which means I have been working for fifty years – I include my time in the army and return to college as work). Getting up five or more days a week for fifty years has incorporated an alarm clock into my DNA. I have been rising around 6:30 am for the past fifty years and wonder what will happen when I finally retire or go into semi-retirement.
My exercise routine has developed more recently to two days during the week and at least one weekend morning. My weekday exercise occurs after work and the days change from week to week, but usually are planned on Sunday after reviewing the week ahead for other plans. About five years ago I utilized a professional trainer to assist me and get me started. I started working out on a combination of exercise machines, walking on a treadmill and stretching. After a few months I dropped the trainer and later stopped temporarily. A year or two later I restarted with the premise of “simpler is better.” My efforts now are solely walking with a little bit of stretching. At first it was just treadmill at the health club, later I added an outdoor component in the park or my neighborhood. All of my walks are logged into my computer; I even have a training watch and a phone app that monitor my speed and distance during the outdoor sessions. Walking is my exercise routine.
Weekends are devoted to some exercise and activities with my wife. She is retired now and fills her weekdays with friends, volunteer work and home. I want to relax on weekends and she wants to have more interaction with me. There is some conflict from time to time, but after forty-four years we just go with the flow. One weekend morning is breakfast out, some shopping, dinners with friends and on occasion I cook Sunday dinner. She doesn’t leave mundane house work for the weekend so as to have more free time with me. I appreciate that, although I don’t mind helping around the house.
Continuation of work and exercise are health and attitude related. As long as I can, I will continue both. Perhaps I’ll exercise more some weeks and less at other times, but exercise remains a weekly habit. I have some control over my health. Diet, exercise, doctors visits, attention to medications and changes in my health that occur are actions that I take seriously. Recent changes in my allergy and asthma symptoms prompted me to schedule a visit with a pulmonologist to find out what is happening and develop a new plan of action. I am not the stereotypical man who ignores physical symptoms or downplays them.
Advice to men: Listen to your body and respond properly.
Advice to men: Listen to your body and respond properly.
My attitude controls my behavior and responses to changes. How do I feel about rising everyday at 6:30 am? I only feel reluctant the first few minutes then that feeling leaves and I am off and running (literally) to work. Coffee and a light breakfast, TV news, and the morning comics get me going. Perhaps I’ll write about the comics in another blog. Many mornings I’ll share one with Iris to get a chuckle. Usually those that I share are either about animals (which we both love dearly) or a self-deprecating one that highlights one of my habits or faults (as perceived by my wife).
My next blog will address the Daily Routine in a practical manner.
When I was teaching, I was up every weekday morning at 5, sometimes 4:30 depending on department chair meetings, and was at school just after 7. I am delighted to stay in bed until 6 or 6:30 on most days, letting my body wake up on its own.
ReplyDeleteHaving always been a morning person, I try to get all chores done early so I can relax the rest of the day. AFter 4 p.m., I'm not good for much. Always hate evening meetings.
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ReplyDeletedkzody:
ReplyDeleteI guess you can post comments in blogger. Sometimes the computer gods (glitches) puzzle me.
My problem is that on weekends I sometimes get up earlier than during the week anticipating things I want to do. When I really need is the extra hour of sleep.
I just created a new page on blog called blog schedule and that helps me so I know what I need to focus on. I am working on an article now and think I will add some words about writing routines...since it will go with my topic really good.
ReplyDelete“Weekends are devoted to some exercise and activities with my wife.” - That's sweet! Exercising is more fun when you do it with someone. You feel a lot more motivated to stay healthy when you have someone to remind you set you straight with your diet and to make your workout routine much engaging. Kathleen Andrews @ FitnessTogether
ReplyDeleteThe right balance of work, exercise, and healthy diet are obviously the perfect formula to your good health. Add to that the happy and loving relationship you share with your wife. I bet you'll be in very good shape in the coming years if you stay with your discipline and that loving relationship with your wife. Carmelia @ NWCrossFit.com
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