“The fountain of youth is truly exercise.”
– Dr. Carmel Dyer
Just the other day, I was chatting with an old flame, whom now has become a good friend, about my new found love of CrossFit, life after divorce, reaching your full potential, and discovering the fountain of youth through living a healthy lifestyle. You would never guess, by looking at the photograph above, that my dear friend, Kurtis, is 44 years young. This single dad of two beautiful teenage daughters, is at the top of his physical game. Just recently, he expressed with enthusiasm, “First lesson from me, never say I’m too old for this s$!t, I’m 44 and I just beat my best 3 mile run time ever.”
Kurtis furthered shared that despite being surrounded by so many “young bucks” in the military, he still goes to the gym, pushes himself, in order to be the best version of himself. So many times, he would hear people complain about their age and their physical shape. From the looks of him, I am positive Kurtis can run circles around those twenty-something Marines. Not to mention, he is one hot 44 year young man. Fellas, take notes!
Next he explained his frustrations, “I hate when I see or hear people talking about ‘I’m getting old’ or ‘If I were only in my twenties again’, bunch of horse shit. I ran 3 miles a month ago for time and ran a 19:19. I am not gonna break any world records of course, but the last time I ran that fast was when I was 22 years young. The way I see it, don’t give in to that type of thinking, that’s why today I’m 44 years young.”
While Kurtis does not do CrossFit, he does prescribe to an exercise routine involving: running, lifting weights, crunches, and hopefully soon adding swimming to his repertoire. When I asked Kurtis his advice to others just starting out, he suggested to go to the gym everyday. Even if it is just to ride the bike, make it part of your daily schedule. “Once you are hooked, you will find ways to make more time. Its kind of addicting after awhile. I feel crappy if I miss a day.” I absolutely love Kurtis’ empowering message of re framing how we view age and pushing ourselves to be in the best physical shape.
For as long as I have known Kurtis, he has always been a shoot straight from the hip kind of guy. He is absolutely correct, using age as an excuse to not take care your body is “horse s%#*”. Without a doubt, I can honestly say, compared to my twenties, I am in better physical shape now. Although, appearance wise, I may have been slimmer, it doesn’t accurately gauge my fitness level.
Back in college, I barely tipped the scale over a hundred. I was nothing more than skinny, resulting from being a broke student, surviving on ramen noodles and a fast metabolism. I am positive I couldn’t run a mile or do a single push up. Hindsight is 20/20. If I only knew then, what I know now. No use in pining for lost time, vowing to take better care of my body for the remaining time I have left. Like I told Kurtis, “I am going to be the most bad ass 36 girl ever.” I am determined and this is just the beginning. Just you wait and see. Instead of wishing to have a killer body, I have always dreamed of, I am putting in the hard work now.
Hiking in Hawaii
As I head into the latter stage of my thirties, my body has shown me that I can run at great lengths, endure grueling workouts, and transform myself into the best possible version of Cicily. Since I began my CrossFit and eating clean meals challenge, I am beginning to discover that the Fountain of Youth, is not mythical, but within our grasp. Spending the last fifty-one days, reevaluating my eating habits, dedicating time to being physically active, and taking to heart my friend’s personal advice, have transformed my perspective on aging. At the end of the day, do you want a number to define your life?
Keeping Up With My Awesome CrossFit Ladies
Celebrating Graduation Night
“Clean” Bentos I Prepare For School
A Year From Now
Writing this blog has given me the opportunity, to not only share my personal experiences, but also the journeys of my loved ones. Everyday, I find inspiration in the lives of the people whom I have been blessed to cross paths with. Each person we encounter can be seen as a life lesson. Tonight, I hope that one of you find inspiration and motivation in Kurtis’ and/or my story. Perhaps, one fine day, you, yourself, will inspire another soul to change their life.
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