Be Crazy
My favorite summertime song this year was called Crazy, by Hunter Hayes. As I prepare to present a short seminar on exercise to my church family I think about the chorus of this song that reminds me—“I don’t want easy, I want crazy.”
In anticipation of a fellowship hall partially filled with respected members of the church and pillars of the community, they will come, I believe, in expectation of learning ways to keep their bodies in motion. What can I possibly offer that might resonate with these wise and wonderful servants?
I can always resort to the classic scripture that uses the analogy of the body compared to the temple. I get it—we only get one so probably best to take care of it.
Even so, what does caring for an aging body look like? As the temple’s foundation begins to weaken maybe we should go easier on our more fragile bodies.
That is likely what those that may not be classified spring chickens anymore, may be considering. Will I be able to convince them that perhaps going a little crazy is a good thing when it comes to maintaining a semblance of strength and stability?
Although I have always been a firm believer in shaking things up by using physical challenges and changes in routine to accomplish desired results; it wasn’t until recently that I decided to go insane.
In hopes of getting chiseled abs and more toned muscles, my daughter and I decided to take the Shaun T., 60-day Insanity challenge. This program that guarantees six-pack abs, includes 40 minute sessions of extreme, high intensity, muscle burning, core strengthening maximum interval training.
No equipment needed for Insanity, just body weight, some guts and the willingness to be crazy because “easy” by definition means, child’s play, a cinch, no bother, no sweat, no trouble, not burdensome, nothing to it, painless, simple and undemanding.
And, if I might add to the definition; easy exercise is exercise that may not produce the desired results!
If you really want noticeable changes and want to be better prepared for an aging body; go crazy. Think wildly unconventional and power walk instead of strolling. Run longer distances, lift heavier weight.
Do some one handed push-ups just to mix it up. Try stretching until you can touch your toes. Make an effort to exercise until your breathing is labored and it is difficult to have a conversation.
Don’t settle for easy—go crazy. Fight tenaciously to slow the aging process. Make your next workout challenging enough to test your ability and let your body surprise you.
For questions or comments email: suzannemcginnis@me.com