Happy new year, 2019

First of all: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And to you who read this: Thank you. Thank you for stopping by and read what I write.

It's close to midnight January 7, 2019. Already week 2, and it is clear I failed my resolutions with splendour this year as well.
I didn't do too good, before I went to bed on new year's eve I had already failed on at least three of my resolutions by watching a movie with my son, eating crisps, at 5am. Before I went to bed that is.
It was a nice bonding moment, but not good for sleeping habits, nor was it good for my plan of eating more healthy and less calories. By the time I should have gotten up, I went to bed, and missed out on percious me-time.

So another year was completed in history, another year was welcomed by bringing bad habits into the future.
New Year's Eve is always a day filled with serious thoughts. The year which passed by... How did I spend my time? Did I bring joy to anyone? Did I hurt anyone with my words? What did I do? What didn't I do? What should I have done?
The last day of the year is like an annual report on me to myself. Maybe not the best reference, but nevertheless food for thoughts.


2018 was a good year filled with really good experiences, celebrations, moments and days with family and friends. I cherish the ones I get to keep, and mourne those I have lost.
I have found joy in things my friends on social media have shared of their lives, art, photos, quotes and handcrafts. Stories and pictures from travels and everyday life. Discussions, both trivial wordings and more profound controversies. There is a silent satisfaction in knowing we can disagree and still be friends.

The year has given us sobering news and events from all corners. Disasters, war, misery and other alarming states we have inflicted on ourselves. I try to do my part when it comes to environment, but there is always a doubt in the back of my head: "Does it even matter?" We try to look away as we say someone else is to blame, but the truth has a way to make eyecontact, and I know that it all starts with us, not the politicians or important leaders of multi national companies. I am responsible for behaving in a manner which will make my world a better place. I am the one who needs to spend less, consume less and make sure my plastic and cans are disposed in a safe manner and not in the sea or the mountain.

Why must people fight and create war? Noone lives forever, what drives some to spend that measured time on finding enemies and inflict as much hurt as possible? What makes people capable of crushing people, cities, historic sites which has been standing for a thousand year? When did we lose the respect and knowledge of history?

The last of the year makes me think thoughts I wish I didn't feel I have to think. And yet, my thoughts wander and makes me look forward, to the future, and hopes and beliefs of new beginnings and other possibilities.

My hope for the New Year:
“For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.
We leave you a tradition with a future.
The tender loving care of human beings will never become obsolete.
People even more than things have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed and redeemed and redeemed.
Never throw out anybody." ~ Sam Levensen


HAPPY NEW YEAR, I HOPE IT WILL BE YOUR BEST YEAR YET!

Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror (Official Video)

Something to think about.

A New Gym in Town.

Together with family and friends, my nephew now just started a fitness center.
In the past, we called them health clubs, and I rather liked the idea of going to a health club, I certainly liked it a lot more than the idea of entering a fitness center. There is something overly ambitious about a fitness center, something I can't quite feel comfortable with.
To put it bluntly: my body was not meant for display in revealing lycra. My body has been through decades of hard work and three pregnancies. Age and gravity have had an impact as well.
I no longer feel comfortable jumping and do sqats, certainly not in public. My body lands long before I intend, and keeps bouncing long after I make a new move, much like a dog shaking off water in slow motion.

A few years ago my nephew suddenly became sporty and fit. He didn't just pick up jogging or go for a ride on his bike. No, it was like a determinated force driving him to enter competitions like "strongman" and "triathlon" and other extreme competitions. He and his wife, along with the rest of her family, and friends, got so involved with this new lifestyle that they wanted a fitness center that had every workout option all the other gyms had combined, plus everything they felt they missed in other gyms. Now they got that. They do not have is a mezzanine with a runway, but that's not that common here in Norway anyway. We, Norwegians, run outdoors, using nature for challenge... or a treadmill.

I have great expectations my aging body will benefit from this. However, I do not expect to become fit, firm and fabulous, but it would be nice to go on regular basis, just to slow down the inevitable decay my age and diet cause on my body. On that note, I also feel I should give the impression I try to get ready for spring and milder climate, hence less clothes on my body.

I read a headline the other day: "No thanks to New Year's Eve. Get started with a healthier diet and more exercise now!" I think they put it so accurate and great, because new year's resolutions do not work for me.
And, yes, I think it's boring to run. Sorry, but I'm very outdated that way; I don't ride my bike to work, even though it's "only" 13 km, and I do not exercise in wild and fancy garments so expensive you have no other option but to use them all the time, and soon you wear them to the grocery store and make others feel guilty for buying steak and not lean fish or vegetables, just because you look like an impudently surplus of energy.

But now, now Level Up Treningssenter AS is established, and they are open for membership and they have Bodybalance!

An old friend and I sat down on opening day and had a cup of coffee. We did not try out any of the work out machines, but we had a look, and decided that we should also be able to do this. Just because we are past our youth doesn't mean we are ready to pack it in. The 40s is the new 30s, some say, but we need to make an effort to stall. An effort based on more than great tips about good foot creams, silk spray and tiger balm.

In the past I have tried most; Jazzerzise, ​​Zumba, Pilates, Weights, Jogging, Swimming ... But my hips are not entirely Latin, and all the aggressive, loud shout outs from the instructors make me so stressed out that I forget in which order I am to jump left or back and I cause a lot of chaos in the lines and involuntary outbursts of laughing. Instructors do not like that, at all.
But this time I found Bodybalance on the schedule, and it just hit me that this is it!

Now, Bodybalance does not promise calorie burn, better fitness or better mobility, but it promises to reduce stress levels and make me concentrated and calm. I do not really need to be calmer, because my girlfriend sometimes pulses me, just to check that I'm still alive and kicking, but I can clearly stress less.
I just hope it will not be difficult to help me up off the floor, that would have been a bit boring, in a room full of conversations. I hope I will not be the only "old person" there.

Body Balance is Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates at once, and with carefully selected motion combinations, you'll exercise strength, balance and mobility, and while struggling to fold yourself while standing on one foot you'll hear beautiful and customized music. I am very fond of music!
All in all, this will give you a physical workout and inner balance and harmony, and it suits ALL! Therefore me included!

My goal is that I will be able to continue to tie my shoelaces without having to sit on a chair or heave for breath. I think that's a fair goal.
In spite of age and size, I now have a young hope of having a beautiful interior in full harmony and a smoother outer .... in new premises.

CONGRATULATIONS WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW GYM!