Resolving to Be Fit at 50

I have made – and broken – many resolutions. Although the exact wording of my resolutions has varied over the years, my statements basically come down to two things: lose weight, exercise more. Oh sure, I have managed to achieve a bit of success for a few weeks, even months, but then I backslide. Badly. Which is why, a few years ago, I made a resolution to stop making resolutions. Quite frankly, who needs the guilt?

But I am at the brink of breaking even that resolution. Yes, my friends, I have made a resolution and it’s a biggy: I resolve to be fit by 50. Not to just be in shape, but be fit; really fit. The fittest I have ever been in my life. Fit enough to run a four-hour marathon. There, I said it. There’s no turning back. I have run only one marathon and it took me 4:45. That was a few years and a few pounds ago. I’ve got my work cut out for me, but luckily I have a fourpronged plan of attack. I’ve already taken the first step: I joined a gym that can deliver the results I want. Halifax’s Kinesio Sport Lab boasts workouts aimed at getting the most out of endurance athletes. Owner Jeff Zahavich has the education, experience and energy to push me when the going gets tough. I’ve already had to dip into his unlimited pool of motivation more than once.

The second step will be harder: lose fat (and weight). I’ve shaved off three per cent of my body fat over the last six months but there’s plenty more where that came from. I am fighting an uphill battle as I age. I’m over 47 but under 50, which means that I am staring at that dreaded condition known as middle-aged spread. Apparently, however, the effects can be reversed through hard work.

The third step is simple: run more. Joining the gym was great for my biceps but not so great for my mileage. I will never be a fast, skinny runner; it’s just not in my genes. But I can pump out lots of push-ups. Naturally, I gravitate to what I am good at and shy away from what’s going to hurt. So I love to go to the gym even if it means skipping a run. But I need to do both if I am going to achieve my goals.

And the final part of my plan? Enlist the help of friends to pull me out of bed for early morning runs and to talk me out of my late night chocolate cravings. At least most of the time. Fit at 50? That’s one resolution I intend to keep. Deborah Wiles is editor of Herald Magazine in Halifax. Check her progress on Twitter @CurlyGirlRuns.