My last blog was on the new TV show, The Work Out Gym, as a midseason sitcom replacement.

The real TWOG exists, at least for the over 40 demographic.  Before my retirement earlier this year, I went to other fitness centers in the area and to a fitness center at my last employer.  I was absent from local fitness centers for the last decade since I used the fitness center at work with a decreasing exponential frequency.  (Notice how the term fitness center has replaced health club which in turn replaced gym.)

I promised myself when I retired to lose weight gradually and work out at least five times a week.  My initial trepidation about joining a fitness center was my 65 year old mildly obese self would be a minority among the svelte fitness center members who look like the cover of Shape or Men's Health.  Much to my surprise, I was wrong.  (In full disclosure, I go Best Fitness in Chelmsford, but my comments should be applicable to other Fitness Centers.)

The fitness center has all ages, all body types and all shapes.  I usually go near mid day when those of us who remember where they were when JFK was assassinated are often in the majority.  I can't speak for the pre work early morning crowd or the after work crowd.  

The message is we ‘senior folks’ are not alone.  My main observation is the lack of males taking classes.  Maybe it is a fear of some mythical estrogen mitosis.  Classes are great as they provide a social function and structured guidance from the instructor.

Maybe this is an indicator of the 'baby boomers' carving out new lifestyles upon retirement.  I remember my parents and my spouse's parents and their peer’s level of activities.  They were not fitness center goers.  The new older generation is not going out to pasture but going to work out.  This is the real approach to aging, not Botox or buying a red convertible.

We are fortunate in the Chelmsford Patch to have bloggers who also talk about the reality of health and working out, especially Paula McCarron and Estee Murray Ross.  Dip in the water.  It is not cold and not like swimming in the Ocean side of the Cape in May.

The message is you are never too old or feel ashamed to work out.  Do something and realize results are gradual: the six sit ups become twelve, the thighs becomes parallel to the floor with squats and you won't need a chair's armrests to get out of the chair.

Remember one of the advantages of getting older: you get to see how things turn out.  This way you get to see more.