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.