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Sedentary is a word I hear a lot when I'm in a physician's office. He drops the word into conversations, not intentionally pointing to me, or referring to me, but being clear that he wants me to hear the word. It's been made pretty clear to me that men get too sedentary after they retire. I think it has something to do with the idea that after thirty or more years at a career, a man is entitled to some relaxation...respite from the daily grind.
There's no question that release from a tight schedule is warranted, but what my doctor worries about is me becoming a coach potato. He's very perceptive. My newly-discovered addiction to MSNBC, NCAA basketball, the Red Sox, and various TV shows has taken over too big a part of my life. I used to hate baseball; now I don't miss a Red Sox game during the season. I've even started wearing a Red Sox ball cap. And the 2008 election season came along right at the time I was developing my retirement routines. I never knew there were so many televised opportunities to get opinions about candidates and platforms.
In becoming sedentary I have put myself at risk of serious illnesses. The other part of retiring is the development of a jam-packed repertoire of visits to doctors' offices. I'm amazed at how many outdated People Magazines exist about people I've never heard of.
It took a knee "freezing up" on me for me to find my way to a physical therapist. In the context of those visits I began to get the message. A sedentary lifestyle is not only bad for your weight, your heart and your circulation; it is also the quickest way to find your knees stiffening and your back aching constantly.
It does me no good to know that "a lot of men get this way." I can only deal with myself. So, after very personal talks with my physical therapist, not so subtle suggestions from my primary care physician, and nasty comments from other specialists who have wormed their way into my life, I've decided to reject a sedentary way of life.
Regular exercises for flexibility and stretching are in order. Salt cellars are out the window. Walking is back on the agenda. TV is limited. I'm supposed to feel good about this. It's like my body is going to "go green." I'm sure I will feel good about it...eventually. But in the meantime, the couch is off limits. So much for sedentary living.
Photo credit: Philip C.
