I took up lap swimming again a couple weeks ago after a 10-year hiatus. It’s been somewhat brutal to realize just how out of shape I’ve become. The words of the apostle Paul about buffeting his own body come to mind. Good old-fashioned self-discipline is what it is and there are times when it feels quite a bit like you’re punching yourself.
When I was in the locker room the other day, two women were talking about their exercise habits and one of them said, “I’m addicted to cardio…” Those are a set of words I would never dream of stringing together in that order (possibly not in any order, but definitely not in that one). Exercise doesn’t grant the kind of reward to me that you’d think an addiction would. It’s work. It’s good work, but it’s still work.
I had a friend tell me once that she didn’t feel good if a day went by without her being able to go jogging. Dear friends, any day without having to go jogging sounds like a remarkably GOOD day to me. And I’m not saying that just because I’m old and my knees are going bad, although that certainly has cemented the issue for me.
No, this is definitely about buffeting the body, one lap at a time. And I praise God that I can still do it, even with the huffing and puffing.
I’ll probably buffet this blog in the morning.
Lynniebeemuseoday 
I imagine the Apostle Paul did not have the “Old Country Buffet” in mind either.
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I wouldn’t mind buffeting my body in that way. 😄
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Hahahaha! Good for you, starting to swim. Ugh
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Join me! We can “ugh” together! 🏊♀️ 🏊♀️
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Keep up the Good Work, Lynnie!
You’ve inspired me to head out for a walk – instead of putting it off..!
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Buffet that body!!! 🥊
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Kris’s word is what came to my mind!
I am inspired by your initiative.
I think swimming laps takes more effort and discipline than
“Active Older Adults Water Aerobics” which I am more inclined to
participate in, but in the end, I don’t have the umph to change in and out of
a wet suite, shower, wet hair etc. You know, the “L” word. There is a whirlpool
here though, and perhaps thinking about that will make it all worthwhile.
Thank you for the inspiration!
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I know all about the L word! That describes me more often than not. 😄.
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