Keeping myself going at 56

By NIMROD NL QUIÑONES

“Do you work out?”

That is a question I am often asked and always the answer is no. Not because I hate physical activity, but more because I find going to the gym boring.

I did go to the gym during my younger days to build my strength for judo competitions. Thanks to my dear friend and compadre, the late Dennis Delgado of Workout Fitness Center, who gave me a lifetime membership.

Now, I walk a lot. Yes, I try to make the 10,000 steps a day but not because of any scientific reason, just a target I want to hit, which I do on most days of the week.

I also try to jog during those nights I spend at the track oval of my town, but I walk about 80 percent of the total distance covered, which is usually not less than 5K each time. Running for long periods is still painful due to injuries that I am nursing.

I am biking again now and on occasion I play golf. I am still hoping to play football and while I still haven’t done that, I walk. I walk when I go to a mall, I walk around our neighborhood for some chores and I walk whenever and wherever I can.

I walk a bit fast as this was a habit I developed from growing up with my grandfather Cipriano Rosal Quiñones, Sr., who had me accompany him often when I was a kid. Aside from walking fast, he also taught me to pay attention to street names and the names of establishments and what stuff could be bought there. This will be for another piece one of these days.

Now at 56 years old, I try to keep fit in ways that I enjoy.

Walking on the track oval at night helps clear my mind and also allows me to do some bit of football warm up exercises and drills. More importantly, I get a reason to stand on the pitch and touch the goal posts, even move around the goal mouth, just to get a feel.

When I bike, I commune with nature as I often head to the mountain barangays near my place where there are stretches of road where you cannot see any habitation, but sadly despite that, you see trash being thrown by irresponsible people.

I don’t race bikes and I do not have a group because I prefer doing things at my own pace. I did ride a lot with my son before he got married but maybe we can do so again one of these days.

I used to bike with my son. It was one of many ways to bond.

Aging is not so bad considering the physical activities that I can still do. What is important is being careful and watchful of signals that could lead to trouble.

I once was many kilos over my ideal weight. I have trimmed that down to just being a few kilos overweight, but I am fine where I am now and won’t try hard to lose some more.

Recently, I returned to the tatami joining my long-time buddy Atty. Vicente E. Fernandez II and his son Atty. Vicente L. Fernandez III at Studio 32 located at Baseline Residences at least once a week to do some judo exercises and help teach the students.

I have returned to the dojo and help teach judo.

I do not anymore wish to return to competition, but being able to do some things from my younger days helps keep the fire burning and more importantly me in shape.

I have won several medals and trophies as well as accolades through the years of competition in various sports. I have been there and yes, in some instances, had done that. I might not have accomplished much compared to most people, but I have some moments to look back to while my memory hasn’t faded.

With me Queen City United 50 years old and above teammates Vince Nery and Kengo Tanaka after the Justice Lee Memorial Football Tournament.

To those around my age, who can still do physical activities, find time to do so.

When asked why I still play football with the much younger alumni in the tournaments at UP Cebu, my answer is I play as long as I can. I know some day all of these will just be part of the wonderful memories that I will cherish.