Fat boy running!

Fule for Thought

 

I went to the doctor recently and he had a diagnosis for me. It was a two word one that he put into Layman’s terms (he must have known that one of my degrees is a PE one!).  

The diagnosis was straight and to the point: “you’re fat”.  

Well, he didn’t exactly say the words, but he hinted at it! He used words like lifestyle changes, diet, good and bad cholesterol, and the painful one: excess abdominal fat. But I know what he meant … I’m too “husky”!

So … I’m finally back into jogging on the high school’s treadmill. At 51, jogging on a treadmill is not so fun. You find things hurt that you never knew could hurt. Sometimes the wheezing is louder than my iPod!!  

In fact, it reminds me of that great movie, “The Green Mile”.  I’m jogging my own Green Mile. Instead of the movie expression, “Dead Man Walkin”, for me, it’s “Fat Boy Joggin”! 

Surprisingly, the high school students have been kind to me when I jog in the gym. They always look so concerned … they even ask me if I need anything, and I resist the urge to ask for a “bucket of chicken … bucket of chicken….”  

I always make sure they know the number for 9-1-1, or that they can at least call information for the number! ( You do have to be sure that at least some of the kids will try and save you).  

Some of the kids have been dead honest with me. They’ve told me straight up, that they’ll pound on my chest a few times, but no “mouth to mouth”! I guess I understand how they feel, I mean think back to your high school PE teacher … scary, eh?

So … I’m slowly getting into shape, and it’s hopefully not going to be a round one!  Heck, I may even run in a PE class’s 20 Minute Run. But, you can bet I’ll have my cell phone on me, and it’ll be set to the Emergency number!

 

(“Fule for Thought” is a slice of life humourous column that will appear in the Strathmore Times, written by long-time resident, town councillor, high school teacher, coach, husband and father of two – Pat Fule. If you would like to get in touch with Pat, you can send him an e-mail at Pat.fule@shaw.ca)