We must look after ourselves

THE release of sobering figures from the Heart Foundation comes as most of our New Year resolutions have been quietly shuffled aside as the day to day once again began its grind. In other words, life has happened.

I’m not quite in the danger zone yet – I have three years before the recommended Heart Health Check, but this is a reminder that I’m no longer the bulletproof whippersnapper that I thought I was.

The past year has scotched a few ambitious goals – thanks to a shoulder that feels like a bag of M&M’s held together with chewing gum I will not be the next Australian Ninja. That and I really don’t like heights. I am mortal and my dashing salt and pepper beard comes with a few parts that are wearing out.

In a couple of weeks circumstances take my beloved and I to Canada – where I fully intend to dive head first into plates of buttery Quebecois French cuisine and buckets of poutine. With a bit of forethought I asked trainer Chris Scandolera how I could get fit for foie gras. Chris – conscientious and informed trainer that he was – reminded me that those marching through their 40s have a few things to look out for. We break easier than we used to, our metabolism slows, we gotta look after our joints and we start to get affected by sarcopenia – a terrifying name for age-related muscle wastage.

I guess the whole point of this is to remind the young of heart, if not body, to take stock before throwing yourselves at the nearest barbell.

Work smarter not harder or a niggling soft tissue injury – or worse – could be the next concern besides your cholesterol count. Pete Martinelli peter.martinelli@news.com.au