CHECKING someone out on the beach is something that just happens during summer, let's agree on that.
With that being the case, it's also a time of year when we wish we had started earlier to shed that "winter coat" of cuddliness.
Whether the winter coat was brought on by stress, dark winter days, or you simply let yourself go - everyone is a little self-conscious when lying on the beach with glorious moobs or muffin popping out.
However, this time of the year is also the time that hardened sportspeople, who tend not to have a break from training, are thankful.
I've never been one of these super-slim idealists who fit the stereotypical image of an athlete, so this time of the year has always been interesting, in my view.
Interesting in the sense of you can almost pick who the "jocks" are - rocking around with their gym muscles out - looking the look, and then you've got someone like me, who has the muffin and moobs but, without a doubt, also has strength underneath.
It's always funny, the comments you get, like, "Oh man, I thought you were an athlete," to which my response consistently is, "You only live once, mate, got to enjoy it at times."
Interesting, also, seeing the athletes you have trained with or know are extremely competitive at sport and what they get up to.
I'm never one to see something and sneak off to write a story on it. That's just not how I'm wired. I do, however, love having a few beers with fellow athletes or sportspeople, whichever term you prefer, and hearing what the training plan is over summer. Needless to say, some of that training plan requires not telling the coach that there were plenty of celebratory times had at the work function or on Christmas Day.
For some, this is a time of year to hit the roads and get fit - maybe even lose some of the muffin, which is sure to get bigger after the festive feeds which, no doubt, will take place. For others, like me, it's a time to reflect on the year and enjoy the company of loved ones. Yes, there will be training done, but, at the same time, you really do only live once and life should be enjoyed.
For those wanting a snippet of motivation this summer, I'll share with you the mentality of All Black hooker Kevin Mealamu. His view is that you're only a competitive athlete for a certain period of your life, so during that limited period it's reasonable to cut out the alcohol and junk food. After all, it's such a limited timespan that you'll be able to be competitive.
While Mealamu's view is a good one, it doesn't account for masters athletes and the like. In his defence, though, Mealamu was putting his view out there to young up-and-coming athletes who are aiming to become professional sportspeople.
Either way, sport in Northland seems to take a holiday at this time of year. If you know of anything coming up, or are part of something happening sportwise, let us know at sports@northernadvocate.co.nz.