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By Tom Attea
Baby boomers, who exercise more than any generation before
them, have been flocking to orthopedic surgeons to tend to
their aching tendons and joints.
As news of the growing need for surgical intervention spread,
a
number of boomers have found the willpower to moderate the
intensity of their workout routines.
Personal experience has also confirmed the wisdom of
moderation. For example, one inveterate marathoner was shocked
by the surprising perception that there were not a lot of
senior citizens dashing across the finish line in the New York
Marathon.
He began to wonder if at a certain age less strenuous activity
might actually be, not only the better part of healthcare, but
all that’s generally possible. He also began to ask himself if
seniors who persisted in intense physical challenges like the
marathon were absent at or near the finish line because they
literally dropped by the wayside. He dismissed that
possibility, because it really brought into question his hope
for up-to-the-last-minute youth.
He shared the possible advisability of moderation with a
fellow
boomer, who happened to be his girlfriend. She agreed to take
it
into consideration but required proof of the astonishing
comeuppance. So, while working out at her gym, she looked
around and noticed, to her amazement, that there were not a
lot
of seniors sweating along with her, especially on the running
track and in the weight room.
Most unsettling of all, she noticed that a confounded lot of
the runners looked younger than she did.
She dared to break the stunning revelation to a friend, who
told her boyfriend. Since hot news has a way of making it
through the boomer vine, soon the bewildered generation was
abuzz with the invitation to moderation.
Being serious about their health, many have researched the
bone-crushing consequences of persistent over-exercise and
have
discovered that that they really should take it a little easy
on
themselves, especially since many of them are flirting with
age
60. It seems that if they can persuade themselves of the
wisdom
at least some moderation they will go a long way toward
preserving their knees, ankles, and assorted joints, tendons,
and muscles. They could also save on visits to the surgeon.
As expected, however, hard-line boomers are adopting an
over-exercise-until-you-drop attitude.
As one recalcitrant member of the group said, “Hey, it’s like
exercising came with the genes. I can’t change my routine
anymore than I can change my feet, which wake up every
morning,
ready to run for miles.”
This group is so determined they plan to exercise excessively,
even if it means hobbling into old age due to self-inflicted
hobbling. As another member of the over-exercise or you’re
over-the-hill group stated, ”Look, if I’m going to need a knee
replacement or two, I might as well be one of the first in my
generation to get one.”
About The Author: Tom Attea, creator of Newslaugh.com,
has had six shows produced Off-Broadway and has written comedy
for TV. Critics have called his writing ""delightfully funny"
and "witty" with "good, genuine laughs."
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