Keep Moving

Oscar Wilde once said “as you get older it is harder to have heroes but it is sort of necessary”. One of my heroes growing up, and still is, is Muhammad Ali. I have a large collection of t-shirts, posters, and books of Ali that even Oscar Wilde, if he saw, might ridicule.

Nevertheless, I have taken a lot of inspiration from Ali in my fitness life. He had tremendous work ethic, self-confidence, and a wonderful personality that transcended boxing and sport.

In 1967, Muhammad Ali was convicted for refusing the draft for the war in Vietnam. He was stripped of his boxing licence which resulted in him vacating his World Heavyweight belt and losing his income. Ali was ultimately proven right when in 1971 his conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court. He went on to win back the heavyweight title in 1974 in what was considered one of the greatest fights of all time. However, despite this redemption, three years in boxing exile meant he missed out on the best years of a fighter’s life. Despite of his absence from boxing, he kept on training. When asked why, he replied:

“If you take a race horse, a car, any engine, if you don’t run it it’ll blow out.”

Applying this to our own fitness, we have to keep ourselves ticking over. If we don’t exercise regularly or keep on top of our fitness, our bodies can become stiff and break down just like any vehicle. We can lose fitness very quickly and it is very difficult to become fit again. I’m sure we’ve all experienced a few weeks (or years!) away from regular exercise and recognise how quickly we can lose our progress and how difficult it is to get back to where we were. Use it or lose is what it comes down to.

‘Using it’ becomes more challenging as we get older. Our bodies are gradually slowing down, we have more responsibilities and less time. Staying fit becomes less of a priority for most of us. Moreover, it is easy to fall into lifestyle habits that digress from health and fitness, ultimately, discarding exercise in our lives. Life is becoming so convenient. Technology is all around; we have a plenty of entertainment at our finger tips. Technology can take us where we can to go or bring what we need to us. Therefore, reducing our need to move our bodies.

However, we need to keep our exercise topped up. According to some boxing experts, Ali’s training in his exile made him better prepared for the championship bouts later in his career. Likewise keeping ourselves fit will stand us in good stead for later in our lives.  We’re not training for a championship but rather a better and more active life. The more active we are the better standard of life we can live. We can play and interact with our kids more. One of the best experiences from childhood I can remember was being carried on my dad’s back. (It’s the simple things!)  It broke my heart when my dad had to put me down because he was too tired to carry me any more. I want to be a father who is fit enough to keep up with my kids. Maybe even make them proud at the parent’s sports day! But ultimately, we want to be around for our kids. And that can be one reason for us to stay active and healthy.

Staying active can, not only, extend our lives but also enhance it. Regular exercise has proven to contribute to a healthier and happier life. Through regular exercise, the possibility of having life threatening illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and depression, can be reduced dramatically. We must remember what exercise can do for us and try to prioritise it. Staying active requires a desire to and having a purpose can fuel that desire. So, whether you’re exercising for your mind, your body, or your future, remember, what you’re doing is so worthwhile and you will reap the benefits.

Find an exercise that you love. If you don’t have one then I’d recommend walking. Walk everywhere you can. Walk to the shops, the train station. Take the stairs instead of the lift. If you can’t do that go for an evening stroll. Whatever happens, find a way to keep moving. For example, if we have a bad knee we may have to swap walking for cycling. Or starting lifting weights to preserve our muscles. Whatever it is, there is a solution. If there is a will to stay fit then there is a way. Don’t sit in the house and rot like a piece of fruit. Get up, get out, get moving. Don’t get me wrong a night in of doing nothing can be bliss. But doing nothing night after night will not improve our lives. Exercise will.

To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, it is harder to stay fit as we get older but it is sort of necessary.

So, keep moving.