
By WILLIAM HENDERSON
Special to ESPNMilwaukee.com
We are nine days away from the biggest day of overconsumption of the year. A day dedicated to the practice of eating plate after plate of scrumptious food ,then finding my spot on a couch to indulge in hours of viewing parades and football games.
There will be some work done by me in the time leading up to chow time. I will navigate the usual to-do lists -- cleaning, prep, and cooking -- but nothing that will offset the number of calories I will consume at the annual “Henderson Family Turkey Day”.
Here is my problem: I’m retired from football and my lifestyle is considerably different from years ago, when I spent all my time surrounded by physically active folks and people motivated to be fit. I’m not blaming anyone else for my circumstances or my 5- year-old for telling me repeatedly that my belly is getting “really big.” Kids say the darnedest things… (anyone want a 5-year-old? She loves fruit, music video channels and Barbie dolls).
Kids are honest and I could never punish a person for being tactfully frank. I admit that I haven’t charted the best course in my post-career approach to fitness. I still love to eat and my wife is a damn good cook! I want to have my beach body back.
It hurt me a couple of weeks ago when a fan asked me to sign a copy of the 2001 hard bodies calendar that featured me and several of my teammates. I was pretty ripped standing on a bow of a boat in Jamaica. I looked at the photo and said “Not bad…” then realized he small tire I’m packing around my waist right now.
I understand how some teens are stressed about their condition when many of the ads and shows focus on extreme fitness and perfectly altered shapes. I have never let outside pressure lead me astray or intimidate me. I have always been the one to take the bull by the horns. I have excuses that I could use… lack of time, energy down from busy days, others calling for my attention, I travel too much, I love food, addicted to junk food and my best would be the fact that NFL doctors have declared me disabled…
Again, I’m not declaring myself unfit or able to change my lifestyle and body. I will have my abs back this year. I won’t try fad diets and have never subscribed to every get-skinny diet pill or guru. As a traditional guy from the old school way of thinking, I will get it done brick by brick stone by stone, but it will get done. First things first -- I will do some reverse curls by PUSHING MYSELF AWAY FROM THE TABLE! A mile should only take 15 minutes to walk, so I won’t use the excuse that I don’t have time. Pushups and situps can be done while waiting for the shower to warm up…
You see where I’m going with this.
Here is my other motivation. I’m going to be on vacation with six current Packers. I refuse to be the FAT BOY on the beach. I was a glorified offensive lineman. I got voted “best ass” three years running when I was in college. I want honorable mention at least this year.
I am not surrounded by my peers, the competitiveness of football and the enormous fines for being overweight to encourage me to control my eating and exercising choices. I must face the demons, but I don’t have to be alone. As a true fan ,if you see me out and opening the door of the donut shop… call me out on it. I invite you to join me in the accepting this fitness quest.