When I was 19 and still struggling with what I was going to do with my life, I asked an elderly gentleman if he had any life advice for me. He looked down while a small smile flickered across his face. I waited for a moment, wondering if I needed to repeat the question (did I mention he was elderly?) Suddenly he looked up with no trace of a smile. “Son, there’s only 2 things you need to know, first, love your wife (I wasn’t married yet) with all your heart. Second, always, ALWAYS look good in a swimsuit.”
I remember standing there as I watched the gentleman turn his attention to a young lady at the reception. My first reaction was to look in a mirror and feel that perhaps the old man thought I would look bad in a swimsuit. I looked over again at the elderly man and watched as he shuffled over to his wife and took her hand. It was then that I realized that perhaps the man was not making a judgement of me and my looks, but perhaps he was making a statement about himself and his readiness (or lack thereof) for the upcoming summer months and his own donning of a swimsuit. (I also thought about his wife and the obvious love that they had for each other, but that is for another blog.)
I began to imagine scenarios of what could have possibly happened recently to make this gentleman feel that those two things were the most important things to tell a young, impressionable man. I imagined him outside in the sweltering heat, mentioning to his wife how nice it would be to go for a swim and her replying, yes, it would be nice. Then cut scene to the gentleman looking in the mirror and realizing that swimsuit and current physique were not a good match. Or perhaps he actually had gone swimming and one of his innocent grandchildren had said, “Grandpa, why do you have 2 tummies?” or “Mommy, grandpa forgot his top!” or “Nice John Stockton shorts, Gramps.” Needless to say, this ‘advice’ has stuck with me through the years. And now that the summer months are upon us, what are YOU doing to be ready? For, according to a wise, old and by all accounts happy elderly man, all you need in life is two things, a happy marriage and looking good in a swimsuit.
Now, I may not be able to help much with the marriage part, there are a few tips I can give for looking good in a swimsuit.
1st, make sure it fits (most important).
2nd, cardio
3rd, more cardio
4th, SMILE, it covers up a host of flaws, trust me!
5th, get out and enjoy the sun! You’re going to look great!
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