I DONT HAVE ABS AND NEVER WILL

It is in the news, on television and in every magazine I pick up.   The ideal male has abs and is not afraid to show  them to anyone who wants to take a look.   I am over 50 and my body has not changed much since I was 30.   I exercise on a regular basis, try to eat properly, and enjoy a variety of sports.  While my stomach is relatively flat, there are no abs in site.  I am taking the stand that I don’t have abs and never will.  The thing is, abs will not make me a better person, help me perform better at work or in sports, and do not make me any less of a man.  In order to get abs, a man has to restrict food intake while performing exercises that isolate those muscles on a daily basis.  Then, if you actually get Abs, you can never stop what you did to make them appear or they will quickly be covered by a layer of donut, pie and cake, commonly known as fat. 

I honestly don’t see the point.  

My activities include; hiking, running, tennis, racquetball, rock climbing and cycling.  None of these sports will give you abs.  They will give you pleasure and overall body fitness and strength.  I completely agree that strong stomach muscles will help reduce the risk of back problems.  Getting a six pack will not improve your odds.  If I could get something really important, my boney butt would increase to a size where I could comfortably sit on a wood surface for more than five minutes.  That to me would be important.  Abs do not serve a function and appear to be strictly for show.

It used to be that if you had a measure of success, could carry on an intelligent conversation, nice eyes and a great butt, women found you attractive.   When did it become so important and the focus change to needing your stomach be flat and have ripples in addition to everything else. 

For centuries males have placed a high importance on women’s physical appearance.  We evoked a tremendous pressure on women to not only run a household, raise out children but maintain a wonderful and perfect appearance.  This expectation was passed from generation to generation.  As women achieved equality, it appears that they have started to evoke the same expectation on males

I would like to think that a man who works hard, has some intelligence and a sense of humor is taken seriously.  We all need to have a reasonable level of fitness to maintain our health.  There is nothing wrong with trying to gain more strength and tone your muscle.  This helps you perform better on a daily basis.  What I see is men with all the previous mentioned attributes are no longer satisfied.  They are spending three hours a day, 6 days a week to reach and maintain a level of fitness that may not be necessary.  They have bought into the idea that along with everything else, they need to have abs. 

My message is that I encourage men to realize that we do not have to look like Calvin Kline models.  We don’t have to give up treats, beer and red meat but rather include activity as part of our regular routine .  I do support being strong and active as it helps you perform on many levels.   I believe that we should never stop setting and achieving goals.  However, make them based on your own wants and needs.   Make sure they improve your life and make you happier

SPRING AND SUMMER ARE COMING

If you are like me, I am so tired of the snow. So, I thought it was a good time to remind people to make plans to have some spring, summer and fall fun. You deserve it. Anyone, still not wanting to travel can discover Ontario.

Here are some suggestions:

#1 – WHITE WATER WALK – NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO

Experience a first-hand lesson in the raw power and peril of the Niagara River’s Class 6 white-water rapids. The roar of the river provides a deceptive calmness, the perfect ambiance for your walk among the many viewing platforms that put you right at the river’s edge. For those looking for an up-close and personal view of nature’s power, you will not want to miss this. This self-guided tour includes many stories about the geology of the Niagara Gorge and the plant and animal life you may see on your visit to Niagara Parks. The Niagara White Water Walk is a wheelchair accessible 305 metre boardwalk situated on the edge of Niagara’s white water rapids. The Niagara Gorge is an 11km (6.8 miles) gorge created by the Niagara River. Around 18,000 years ago, Southern Ontario was covered by ice 2-3 km thick (1.2 – 1.9 miles).

#2 – Kakabeka Falls – THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO

The falls are an easy drive from Thunder Bay and worth a visit, the car park is close bay and their is a good board walk giving you good views of the falls.

There are viewing platforms on both sides of the falls giving great photo opportunities of the falls and the gorge, and if you pick a sunny day the rainbow effect from the spray is amazing if you can catch it.

#3 – Cheltenham Badlands – CALEDON, ONTARIO

The Cheltenham Badlands are located in Caledon, Ontario on the south east side of Olde Base Line Road, between Creditview and Chinguacousy Roads. The site occupies an area of approximately 0.4 square kilometers and features exposed and highly eroded Queenston Shale.[1] The Cheltenham Badlands are a significant educational site due to the readily visible geologic processes and the red color and the unique topography of the exposed shale makes this a popular tourist site.

#4 – Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park – THUNDER BAY

National Parks, Canyons; Spectacular and dizzying are the words to describe the steep-sided canyons of this rugged and scenic region. Address: Ouimet Canyon Road, Dorion, Ontario P0T 2M0.

Absolutely stunning view. Easy quick trail from the parking area. Please read the Ojibwe story of Nanabozho before you go. He ties into a lot of the history in the Thunder Bay area (sleeping giant, kakabeka falls).

#5 – Bonnechere Caves – Eganville ONTARIO

The Bonnechere Caves is a big name in cave exploration in Ontario. This family-owned and operated site is a sure wonder that draws people in with its stunning fossils and unique cave system. Hidden away in the Bruce Peninsula, this natural cave system is a place of peace and tranquillity with a rugged atmosphere. The Bonnechere Caves in Eganville ON. have been welcoming people from all over the world for over 55 years. We provide a safe, educational, informative and fun tour for people of all ages. Everyone from babies in backpacks to senior citizens have enjoyed the handiwork of Mother Nature here along the beautiful Bonnechere River..

Bonnechere : Facilities and Activities summary. Before you visit: check what facilities/activities are available and pack what you need (e.g. water, snacks, mask/face covering, and hand sanitizer).