When Self-Improvement Collides With Living

I was on my way to the frozen yogurt shop recently when I spotted a ripped, shirtless dude jogging effortlessly down the street in 105-degree heat. Here in southern Nevada, our summers get hot. We have little humidity, but even dry heat can lead to dehydration, severe sunburn, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Sensible folks like myself retreat to the pool, indoor air-conditioning, and frozen yogurt shops. But those over-achieving fitness buffs ruin everything. It’s hard to enjoy your frozen yogurt with hot fudge when Mr. Sixpack-abs trots by tirelessly like a gazelle. It’s hard to tell, but is he even sweating? And last week, whilst walking my dog in the shady area of the park, two supremely fit ladies ran past us. They were running uphill, in direct sunlight (it was 105 degrees) conversing effortlessly. Not the slightest bit out of breath. Look, I’m all for fitness and self-improvement. I stick to mostly a Mediterranean diet, walk my dogs, and hit the air-conditioned gym. I’ve managed to stay trim, and my weight is close to what it was in my university days. But years of police work, old jujitsu injuries, a discectomy in 2008, and general aging deny me the physicality needed to train like an Olympian. But then, even if I could, I’m not sure I would. <h2>Oatmeal, prunes, and mineral water</h2> Years ago, the late author and polemicist Christopher Hitchens wrote an entertaining piece for Vanity Fair titled, <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2007/10/hitchens200710" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">“On the Limits of Self-Improvement.”</a> Hitchens’ essay opens with a self-deprecating and humorous assessment of his physical state: <a href="https://medium.com/personal-growth/when-self-improvement-collides-with-living-17b5d4421fcc">Visit Now</a>