Feeling my age

   My numbers took a real big hit this week and last week. Between my back, arm and shoulder, I am lucky to be able to do my job at work let alone Kung Fu. It all started last Wednesday in class, grappling. About 1/2 way through the class, I felt something give in my neck/shoulder. Not being smart enough to stop, I pushed through. Stupid human. Then we grappled again on Monday, now it has spread from my neck/shoulder to my left arm/lower back/neck/shoulder. I am obviously not made for grappling both physically and chronologically. I am not 20 anymore, or 30, or 40, in fact, I am almost 50.

    I guess it is time to let my Ego go and start to realize my physical limits. These "limits" are not arbitrary, they are real - to me. Between blood pressure, weight, deteriorating joints, age, lifestyle, environment ( home and work ), I need to evaluate my choices better if I plan to continue an the path I am currently on. How much "physical" can I handle before it is no longer a benefit and it becomes a detriment? I really wish I was 29 again, that is when I was in the best shape of my life. I was 167 lbs, almost no body fat, full of energy, able to recover from injury fast. I can also wish for a pot of gold to magically appear in from of me right now - alas, it didn't happen, sigh.

   Don't get me wrong, I Love kung fu and what it is doing for me both physically and mentally. I just need to realize that both my age and body have their limits. There is nothing I can do about my age but, I can definitely do something about my body - to a certain extent. Cleaning up my diet, taking consistent action in my physical routine and challenging my preconceptions of myself mentally are a good start. Hopefully these steps will snowball to other things, but I must throw the first snowball myself if I want my personal pebble to turn into a mountainous unstoppable boulder of progress.
  
 So..... ready, aim, THROW!!!


Numbers

Sit ups   26,661
Push ups   26,788
AOK   706
1609km   1340.36km
Sparring   234


Personal requirements

Started 1 more of the 7 last week, so that's 5 of 7 making progress. Feeling some momentum there!