At 40… Swallowing My Pride and Getting
Wiser
John P. Bradley, PT
As an orthopedic physical therapist I am always fielding
questions from patients, friends and family to troubleshoot
aches and pains as well as offer what the listener hopes will
be some dazzling insight into how to be healthier. (As any
physician or physical therapist knows, it can be downright
dangerous to reveal your occupation at a social function!)
I truly delight in answering their questions and never tire
of discussing a specific problem fully. I want to ensure the
person walks away with useful information that teaches them
about how their body works and how to take better care of
it. This is a large part of what I do every day and what my
education and eighteen years of experience have trained me
to do.
I particularly enjoy those quandaries relating to fitness
and exercise, since I use a multitude of exercise techniques
to assist patients in recovery from a wide range of illnesses
and injuries. Recently, I have given pause to ponder my own
habits and practices regarding exercise for fitness and how
much I have changed my view of exercise. Perhaps this is all
connected to turning forty and reassessing my own goals and
priorities for a personal fitness program.
I am sure there are many reading this who remember the 2
to 3 hour workouts in college or during the “single
days”. I can honestly recall doing so many sets of heavy
squats in college that I was unable to climb one flight of
stairs out of the weight room. Despite the fact I was filling
my head with the facts and figures of exercise physiology
and grounding my knowledge of anatomy, I persisted in following
an exercise routine that had no sound scientific basis. “More
is better” and “Whatever does not kill you makes
you stronger” were my creed, and I followed it religiously.
Well, twenty years later, things have definitely changed.
Who has the luxury of 2 to 3 hour workouts, 8 to 9 hours of
sleep time every night and unlimited meals prepared for you
(thanks Mom!)? Now, how often do you need to press 300 lbs
overhead or do a full squat to lift 400 lbs in the course
of your week at home or work? Lately my biggest physical challenge
was not to roll down the steep hill next to my driveway while
weeding! The point here is to choose exercise for health enhancement
and simply to feel better. Skills I teach my patients everyday
through exercise such as balance, muscle control and flexibility
are the keys to a successful workout. These are also the elements
to improve your golf and tennis or just get through the day
managing work, kids, meals, and housekeeping. Cardiovascular
fitness has taken the lead over maximum bench presses and
squats (no one ever died of small muscles).
My latest favorite exercise… stand on one foot while
you brush your teeth. You will discover muscles you never
knew you had but that you definitely need.
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Member of
IDEA
Delaware Physical Therapy Association
National Safety Council
American Fitness Association
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Recognized
Outstanding Companies in Delaware
"BEST PLACE
TO WORK"
-News Journal's Best in the Business Awards |
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