Struggling with miniscus issues after being a “hill climber” for 30 years. My surgery made things different and not better. The real struggle has been to find something I love as much to keep me moving. I have to admit to some depression and couch sitting… but I’m making it work with trx and kickboxing for now… some walking. I plan on getting a treadmill at my house soon. Thanks for the encouragement!
this is particularly close to me, JSR. I’ve had to give up some beloved things. I won’t lie, I’ve had to deal with depression too. It’s part of the journey to get us to remake ourselves anew. My three foot surgeries did the same thing: I trade arthritis pain for constant, debilitating neuropathy. Different, not necessarily better, at least in terms of pain. Function, yes, but damn. I can still ride horses, ride a bike, and some hiking, but I can’t feel my feet well enough to trust an epic hike. Perhaps never again, but I can at least train. Let’s get this done!
I'm 62 and I still lift weights 4 days a week...we're talking squats, bench press, deadlift, overhead press with a barbell, not some wimpy machine. I'm only 5'3" tall and I can still squat 300 pounds and bench 235. I believe what Jack Lalanne always said...age is just a number (this is the guy who swam across the Golden Gate towing a boat when he turned 60!). Barring some unfortunate event like a stroke or serious injury, I'm gonna keep lifting and working out until I'm in the ground.
Coming back from major surgery is hard! I’ve had an exercise program, weights, yoga and good diet for years. Surgery to my abdominal area kept me from doing my usual exercises but I have persevered. I’m bummed that I’ll always have some bumps from the incisions and am being careful not to make it worse. But my husband and I have a daily routine that I make sure we follow.
I began working out regularly in my late 20's. I have made it part of my routine since thanks, in part, to my physician spouse who also works out regularly. When working full time, my work out became my stress reliever and strategy to problem solve. I am 66 and working with a trainer who kicks my ass, but I welcome it. I refuse to fall for being too old BS. Thanks for all that you bring to the "too old for this shit" table. Happy hiking with your pup.
Thanks so much, Michelle. The last five years have been one hell of a journey but from where I sit, I am seeing the end of the tunnel. Now that I am clear about what I have to live with, that allows me to deal with reality rather than the constant chasing of the next damned doctor. My PCP told me that it takes seven to nine years for a woman to get an accurate diagnosis- I’m lucky that my surgeon, my nephrologist, pulmonary doctor and my PCP are all women. While that’s no guarantee, mine are smart and they are on board the fact that I want to get back IN life.
Keith, when I broke my hip back in July of 23, I tracked down the folks at the tallest building in town. Eighteen stories, and it was elder subsidized housing. One guy went with me to allow me the use of the place. Every single day as I worked on doing more laps, faster laps, people would see me in the stairwell and say the same thing: BOY I COULDN’T DO THAT.
You’re right. You can’t. Because you won’t even try. That’s so incredibly depressing.
I saw some of your material online while I was searching for more references, Dr. L. I’ll likely quote you again. I’m slowly getting back into full time training as I have some big adventures coming up this year and next. Nothing like a huge trip to motivate….
In The New Old, I included a chapter called "Modify Gracefully." I offer a framework for assessing objectively whether you may need to modify in some area of your life, and then deciding how to do it in a way that works best for you. To me, this seems like the middle path: acknowledging that some things may need to shift, vs. the extremes of (a) falling into the ageist trap you point out of thinking you can't do anything anymore, or (b) refusing to acknowledge that some aspects of your life might need to change.
Hey Erika. Just ordered your book for my Kindle. Looking forward to it. I'm doing an article on late in life visioning for those in their mid-seventies. Honestly, I'm not sure what irritates me more: those who give up or those who can't let go of a version of themselves which hasn't existed for two decades. Brutal honesty but with kindness is required- in this case the truth really does set us free. I can hike in the early mornings, I can train before noon- after that there's too much foot pain. That's feedback. What is so hard about planning around reality? At this point, whether or not I ever get to do Annapurna isn't as important as simply staying active, upright and working with what I have. Thanks so much.
I’ve found over the decades - in coaching executives and leading a team, in raising kids and talking with friends - that being “fair witnesses” of ourselves is very hard for most people. You’ll notice I focus on that quite a lot in the book. 😏
As you know, it’s impossible to plan well if you can’t/won’t see yourself clearly!
I’ve done plenty of executive work myself, albeit in slightly different areas. The single biggest step is recognizing that there’s only one person at the helm of this life, and while I most assuredly need and want help, ultimately telling the sometimes discomfiting truth about myself is the most important beginning. I talk a lot about how we identify with older selves and boy does that act like an anchor…
This is the kind of ass-kicking reminder we all need!
My mom is 86, still watches a three-year-old child, and has more energy than I do most days. She survived WWII, the Australian outback, and breast cancer. She never complains and keeps pressing forward, telling us kids to suck it up and drive through the pain.
Her brother is 85, still does all his yard work, home maintenance, and activities I cannot do. He also went through the same hardships as my mom, except that instead of cancer, he destroyed his back by working under airplanes for 40 years.
So when I go hiking, at age 54, and start to feel the horrific pain in my hip, I remind myself that age has little to do with it. It's mostly a mindset to think I can't do something.
Love this! But I have a question/how did you ride your bike from Denver to vail? The bike trail from Georgetown over vail pass was relatively new I thought? Aside from the physical endurance that would take, I just imagine it would be terrifying to be on the road with all the crazies. But I know there’s a lot more traffic now than there was 40 years ago (I live in Evergreen-and don’t like driving that route:). Just curious…and impressed!
Struggling with miniscus issues after being a “hill climber” for 30 years. My surgery made things different and not better. The real struggle has been to find something I love as much to keep me moving. I have to admit to some depression and couch sitting… but I’m making it work with trx and kickboxing for now… some walking. I plan on getting a treadmill at my house soon. Thanks for the encouragement!
this is particularly close to me, JSR. I’ve had to give up some beloved things. I won’t lie, I’ve had to deal with depression too. It’s part of the journey to get us to remake ourselves anew. My three foot surgeries did the same thing: I trade arthritis pain for constant, debilitating neuropathy. Different, not necessarily better, at least in terms of pain. Function, yes, but damn. I can still ride horses, ride a bike, and some hiking, but I can’t feel my feet well enough to trust an epic hike. Perhaps never again, but I can at least train. Let’s get this done!
I'm 62 and I still lift weights 4 days a week...we're talking squats, bench press, deadlift, overhead press with a barbell, not some wimpy machine. I'm only 5'3" tall and I can still squat 300 pounds and bench 235. I believe what Jack Lalanne always said...age is just a number (this is the guy who swam across the Golden Gate towing a boat when he turned 60!). Barring some unfortunate event like a stroke or serious injury, I'm gonna keep lifting and working out until I'm in the ground.
I am working on it.
Coming back from major surgery is hard! I’ve had an exercise program, weights, yoga and good diet for years. Surgery to my abdominal area kept me from doing my usual exercises but I have persevered. I’m bummed that I’ll always have some bumps from the incisions and am being careful not to make it worse. But my husband and I have a daily routine that I make sure we follow.
I began working out regularly in my late 20's. I have made it part of my routine since thanks, in part, to my physician spouse who also works out regularly. When working full time, my work out became my stress reliever and strategy to problem solve. I am 66 and working with a trainer who kicks my ass, but I welcome it. I refuse to fall for being too old BS. Thanks for all that you bring to the "too old for this shit" table. Happy hiking with your pup.
Thanks so much, Michelle. The last five years have been one hell of a journey but from where I sit, I am seeing the end of the tunnel. Now that I am clear about what I have to live with, that allows me to deal with reality rather than the constant chasing of the next damned doctor. My PCP told me that it takes seven to nine years for a woman to get an accurate diagnosis- I’m lucky that my surgeon, my nephrologist, pulmonary doctor and my PCP are all women. While that’s no guarantee, mine are smart and they are on board the fact that I want to get back IN life.
“attitude enema” 🤣luv it!
Sharon, actually I was rather delighted at that myself. Every once in a while I stumble across something genuinely funny to say!
I live in a senior high-rise, and the majority of the people in here have just given up. Pretty sad to watch.
Keith, when I broke my hip back in July of 23, I tracked down the folks at the tallest building in town. Eighteen stories, and it was elder subsidized housing. One guy went with me to allow me the use of the place. Every single day as I worked on doing more laps, faster laps, people would see me in the stairwell and say the same thing: BOY I COULDN’T DO THAT.
You’re right. You can’t. Because you won’t even try. That’s so incredibly depressing.
Well done. And thank you for spreading the message 😊. As
well as real life examples.
I saw some of your material online while I was searching for more references, Dr. L. I’ll likely quote you again. I’m slowly getting back into full time training as I have some big adventures coming up this year and next. Nothing like a huge trip to motivate….
I love your warrior attitude, Julia!
In The New Old, I included a chapter called "Modify Gracefully." I offer a framework for assessing objectively whether you may need to modify in some area of your life, and then deciding how to do it in a way that works best for you. To me, this seems like the middle path: acknowledging that some things may need to shift, vs. the extremes of (a) falling into the ageist trap you point out of thinking you can't do anything anymore, or (b) refusing to acknowledge that some aspects of your life might need to change.
Hey Erika. Just ordered your book for my Kindle. Looking forward to it. I'm doing an article on late in life visioning for those in their mid-seventies. Honestly, I'm not sure what irritates me more: those who give up or those who can't let go of a version of themselves which hasn't existed for two decades. Brutal honesty but with kindness is required- in this case the truth really does set us free. I can hike in the early mornings, I can train before noon- after that there's too much foot pain. That's feedback. What is so hard about planning around reality? At this point, whether or not I ever get to do Annapurna isn't as important as simply staying active, upright and working with what I have. Thanks so much.
Love this so much.
I’ve found over the decades - in coaching executives and leading a team, in raising kids and talking with friends - that being “fair witnesses” of ourselves is very hard for most people. You’ll notice I focus on that quite a lot in the book. 😏
As you know, it’s impossible to plan well if you can’t/won’t see yourself clearly!
I’ve done plenty of executive work myself, albeit in slightly different areas. The single biggest step is recognizing that there’s only one person at the helm of this life, and while I most assuredly need and want help, ultimately telling the sometimes discomfiting truth about myself is the most important beginning. I talk a lot about how we identify with older selves and boy does that act like an anchor…
So agree! A friend of mine used to call that “being held hostage to former versions of ourselves.” 😏
This is the kind of ass-kicking reminder we all need!
My mom is 86, still watches a three-year-old child, and has more energy than I do most days. She survived WWII, the Australian outback, and breast cancer. She never complains and keeps pressing forward, telling us kids to suck it up and drive through the pain.
Her brother is 85, still does all his yard work, home maintenance, and activities I cannot do. He also went through the same hardships as my mom, except that instead of cancer, he destroyed his back by working under airplanes for 40 years.
So when I go hiking, at age 54, and start to feel the horrific pain in my hip, I remind myself that age has little to do with it. It's mostly a mindset to think I can't do something.
Love this! But I have a question/how did you ride your bike from Denver to vail? The bike trail from Georgetown over vail pass was relatively new I thought? Aside from the physical endurance that would take, I just imagine it would be terrifying to be on the road with all the crazies. But I know there’s a lot more traffic now than there was 40 years ago (I live in Evergreen-and don’t like driving that route:). Just curious…and impressed!