Oct 8: Muscle Memory

Sometimes we all need a little inspiration. Something that shakes us out of our routines and gets us moving, one way or another. To those of us who like to work out, some encouraging motivation now and then really helps a lot. I know this because I like to work out. I also know this because I didn't work out during pretty much the whole month of September. I won't bore you with my excuses, except to save some face by explaining it mostly had to do with deadlines and meetings and ... Well, heck, it sure seemed nearly impossible to make it to the gym. Then there was that weeklong staycation on the beach. But the beach also helped me get back into my exercising ways now, oddly enough.

I've learned over the years that some real inspiration to get fit is as close as any beach in the Fort Lauderdale area, from Deerfield Beach all the way through Hallandale Beach. Personally speaking, I've found Hollywood's Broadwalk and the Fort Lauderdale beach especially motivating. Here's what I'm talking about.

Picture yourself wandering the sidewalk that runs along the oceanfront. Let's say you just enjoyed a nice café breakfast of bacon and eggs - not that I'm speaking from experience or anything. Ahem. Anyway, this very trim guy about your age comes bounding past in a fast jog, with his shirt off and sweat running down his face. You think, "He's in good shape!" Then a gorgeous young woman zips by you from the other direction on in-line skates. You can't help noticing that, yes, she too is in very, very good shape. Ahem again. And this parade of fit, good-looking people just continues, particularly if you're on the beach early in the morning or evening. It's, like, amazing. Really. Bicyclists and runners, skaters and walkers. Young, old, beautiful and less-than-beautiful. They're all working out. And you? You're not working out. Instead, your body is busily digesting bits of bacon and egg - probably hash browns and toast too, if you want to get technical about this thing. No, you're not working out like everyone else seems to be at this very moment, in this very place. But you know what? You soon start thinking about working out. Yeah, you are inspired by it all. Your muscles begin to remember how they feel when they're being used. And then soon you want to get back to your gym or at least join the joggers on the beach. As I said, we all need a little inspiration sometimes. Truthfully, it's less effort to exercise than to try to appear as if you exercise anyhow. A half hour jog doesn't require nearly as much energy as walking around the beach holding in your gut. On this point, sadly, I am speaking from experience.