Editor Note:  The following is an excepted e-mail from Lisa Byrnes, a fitness expert and one our our contributors.  She wrote  in response to article “Sidelined” written by Joe Benanti.   Lisa gave permission to reprint her letter to "Just your Average Joe"  as it contains much wisdom that can benefit others . 

"Hi Joe-

I appreciate how you exposed yourself with a very personal story which opens a window for others to relate who find themselves in the "Boomeritis" boat.

I know quite a few folks that come into the studio that have a comparable life story.

Figured it'd be okay to speak with candor in what came to mind as I read you article.

Your story matches the backbone of some conversations I have had with many 55+'ers facing boomeritis.

Boomeritis shows up in the body; however, it is always curious what comes from the mind around these issues of aging.

You begin your article defining yourself by the skills that radiated from your athleticism, from many years ago.

I call this the "I used to…" response from many a Boomer.

Sounds like your ego got in the way of taking care of what was staring you in the face.

That was not "you" b/c you defined Joe at 25...until 2 years ago, when 55 Joe pounded at the femoral head and acetabulum for the last time.

Weight gain happens to boomers b/c they can't do the things they used to do.

Heavier in the body gets heavy in the mind too. The whole mind-body suffers.

So Joe, are you listening to your hip talking?

I don't think you cannot be your own patient.

Honestly, your ego (who you think of yourself to be in the world whether then or now), your admitted hypocrisy, and having your head below the sand prevents proper self care.

Good, you decided what your plan of action is!

Way to be!

Okay, your physician told you: to be a good candidate you must lose 60 lbs. over the next 365 days =>  what is your game plan from there?

that's a loss of 1.25 lb/wk.

or...
4,375 cals./wk

even better...
675 cals/day.

TOTALLY DO-ABLE Joe.

From Sidelines to Scoring, not to win, but to play the game and feel good again.

It's all about feeling better-- better than you do right now.

When you were younger it most likely was about DO, DO, DO....you must have been great at that, b/c you could!

These days, I'd imagine it's be nice to BE.

That's what really matters now...being gentle with ourselves because there's a freedom that we remember that we'd like to reclaim.

You probably feel your freedom has been taken away-- maybe you're feeling stuck.

The good news is you've got a plan and you are otherwise healthy to see to a better Joe come 2013.

Now,

What will you eat less of that you eat too much of now?  What will you include more of with greens?

Then what's the game plan by balancing this out with stationary bike expenditure 3-5/x week?

What will prevent you from doing this?

How do you get stuck?

Who can help you?

Where do you run into the most trouble?

Can you be present with your situation rather than talk about what 'you used to do'?

That was then, this is now.

Only now matters. Everything else is fluff operating from an egoic mind.

I imagine it will be a rather rough road if you operate from the "i used to" mentality.

You're going to be stepping in all kinds of things pawing at you from the past.

It's kind of like 30 yrs. ago, 1982, when Sylvester Stallone was a hunk-

That was then, this is now.

The answer to How? is YES.

It's a great book by Peter Block => here.

I get fired up on this stuff Joe...I hear it a lot.

My Mother is having a TKR in 2 weeks...4 clients here have had hip replacements.

Shoulders are a mess, someone told me now they are doing ankle replacements- no surprise.

Regardless, we can all learn from each other and your story is a great share.

I keep mental notes on all the stories I listen to. 

They help me sharpen my 47 yr. old body to have a keen eye on my language and how I approach joint wear/tear.

Thanks for your story Joe!

Now, how can I help?"

Lisa Byrne
Exercise Physiologist | Certified Pilates Instructor | Movement Coach