BACK ON THE WAGON . . .

       I'm back 'on the wagon'.  NO, not that wagon !  Haven't been 'off ' that one.
     
       But, first a confession.  In a post last April (Solvitur Ambilando), I noted that I had begun to 'get back in shape' by resuming my walking regimen.  Even was feeling so self-confident that I issued a kind of 'challenge', especially to readers 65 and over, to walk various distances before Labor Day and to let me know of those achievements.  Then, it happened . . .the Season of too many "too's":  too long for Spring to arrive, then too hot, too humid, too many rain-storms, too busy, too tired, too many meals eaten out [we have been without a kitchen for five months], too many desserts [I love desserts], too . . . And, of course, there was always mañana. 

     If I did not 'fall off the wagon' of fitness, I had begun to slide --significantly.  Chose not to challenge the scales but did notice that my belt seemed to have shrunk.

     Once upon a time I could have claimed it as an occupational hazard . . . few pastors have ever met a covered dish dinner they didn't like.  And, while no longer a pastor and having attended but few of those events recently, the culprit lay elsewhere. 

     Several days ago, my wife made a loving observation which scuttled the other "too's" with an undeniable trump card: "You have worked too hard to gain back all the weight."  So, on went the sneakers and out the door I went.  An insight came during one walk: Discipline is not the same as Punishment.

    About this time, I was preparing a presentation for a group of area ministers on the topic of "The Emotional Health of Ministers".  The percentage of overweight ministers is, well, huge. Increased health care claims on self-funded insurance programs among several denominations led to the Clergy Health Initiative Program at Duke University Divinity School.  The connection between physical and emotional health is obvious.  (For more on this subject, Google the Clergy Health Initiative.)  I am very grateful for my good health at 75 and want to maintain that.  There have been a few challenges : gall bladder, prostate cancer (if you are a male over 55, see a Urologist NOW !), cataracts, slight PVC's, but able to go strong.  The physical maladies that potentially accompany 'poundage' are legion: e.g., cardiovascular disorders, g.i. disorders, arthritis, inflammation, sleep apnea, to list some evident ones.  There has been no lack of data; usually, something else is missing to influence behavior.

    Yesterday, we 'met' a couple of Feasts head-on with minimal damage.  At noon, dear friends of many years celebrated their Golden Anniversary with a Reaffirmation of Vows.  There followed a sumptuous Buffet.  Such restraint on my part !  Last night, a congregation that figures prominently in our lives had a Covered dish dinner.  More restraint . . .sort of.  Too many desserts to restrict the choice to one . . .I 'sampled' two.

      ("After the people had all eaten their fill, twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up.")
                                                                Luke 9:17 b


   Then, today, a niece had a 'Surprise' 40th Birthday party. Since it was at a local restaurant, entree portion control was no problem. But, then there were the cakes . . . "Let them eat cake".  Whoever said that lost her head. (Sorry.)  Fortunately, I remembered what occurred a few hours earlier and did not totally lose mine.

    This morning, I met the challenge: 6.5 miles.  Time? Inconsequential.  Are my feet sore?  Is New York a large town? Sense of achievement?  Well, try it for yourself if your health and disposition allow.  Guaranteed that you will not look like this:

                                                         (After six and a half miles)

The original Satchel admonished: "Don't look back . . .They might be gaining on you."  Wonder if he were thinking "pounds"?

     Satchel