It has been an interesting couple of months since I decided to try to get a flat stomach for my 60th birthday in April.
The first thing I learned is that there are many folks out there who can relate to my desire to get in shape and lead a healthier lifestyle. It has been humbling to see just how many folks have taken the time to wish me luck in my quest to be "flat at 60."
In fact, I have been getting something that I never expected: "pregnancy pats." The day my column came out about my quest for a flat midriff, a friend and reader, Diane, just had to see how the stomach was doing. So she gave it a pat. Now I can empathize with what my wife went through when she was pregnant.
Things have been going quite well, and having my wife and office teammates traveling alongside me during their journey has been a great inspiration. I also got some inspiration from my wife's makeup mirror at a most unexpected time.
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I have been working out regularly and the results are really starting to show. Last week I got up in the middle of the night and quietly snuck into the bathroom, trying hard not to wake Debbie. All was silent as I pushed the button on her makeup mirror to see my glass for a drink of water.
There in the semidarkness I looked up and saw a reflection. I had to smile and say to myself "Where have you been?" The person I saw in the mirror is much like the fellow I knew at a much younger age.
For me, getting in shape is like going back in time. It is like you are a machine that just needs to get the rust off so the inner framework can be revealed.
Another great thing about being serious about healthier lifestyles is the clothing manufacturers seem much smarter now. I really mean that. For years I wondered who the clothing manufacturers were making their clothes for - certainly not for a fellow built like me.
The same can be said for the designers of car seats. For years I struggled to find a comfortable spot in the driver's seat of my car. It seems that I was always too far back and that my stomach got in the way when I moved the seat up.
It is like magic that, with no belly to interfere, I can sit comfortably when I drive and have full back support to boot. That is certainly a hidden benefit of leading a healthier lifestyle.
So with seven weeks to go I want to thank all those folks who have supported Debbie and me. I hope we are inspiring you to continue your own New Year's resolution for leading a healthier lifestyle. I'm finding it's well worth the effort and enjoyable to boot!
Enjoy the journey,
Bob
E-mail Bob Oro at northwest@azstarnet.com
