Counting down (or up) to my 80th! 96 more days... yay!! My husband is almost 86. This morning I rode 20 miles on my e-trike and he walked for an hour. Our motto is "keep starting over," and when I discovered I could no longer safely handle a two-wheeler I said to myself "ADAPT!" No worries, I'm going to keep moving. I'm going to keep finding a way. A few years ago my husband said to me that I should lower my standards... that is a great truth! I do strength training but lighter weights, and I walk for fitness, in addition to the trike. I keep on keeping on, I'm kinder to myself, and I get up every day grateful for this life. Old age is a gift, I'm not going to waste a minute of my wonderful life feeling sorry for what is past! I loved the beginning and I'm going to love the last chapters of my life.
Way to go Julia! A good attitude and compassion for all the aches and pains our bodies go through as we get older is so important. I can't imagine how difficult it is to deal with all the surgeries and the recovery process you have endured. Your story today was a light bulb moment for me. I have had severe sciatica for the last two weeks. Walking is painful. Sleeping is painful. I want to feel sorry for myself and complain about all the things I took for granted. You remind us to reevaluate how to move forward in a positive way. Thank you for your wisdom, it's always an inspiration. My dog isn't too happy about the situation of course. What happened to the long walks?
Right on board with you there, Julia. The trickiest part about aging, for me, is balance — and I can hold a full tree pose until I get too bored to continue. But finding the right balance between acceptance and the necessary self-discipline it takes to keep the body machinery in good working order without stripping its gears — that's a constant, shifting adjustment. Also, LOVE Val Monroe's Jenner piece!
Julia - I love this piece and all the comments; thank you, all!
In The New Old, my latest book, (coming out on Monday!) there’s a chapter called Modify Gracefully, that’s all about this topic: how to recognize when you need to modify; how to talk to yourself helpfully about the situation; how to figure out the necessary modifications. You might find it helpful -
Well, I would like to see the standard deviation around the average for each of the decade groupings for the chair sit standard. I know, I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to anything statistical.
I tried the chair sit exercise. You got me beat by a mile (I'm 73+). I'm at 16 for 30 seconds, but I was just getting warmed up...probably could have done a lot more in 60 seconds. Who knows; I'll try it again, later. I was doing squats regularly (and yoga), but had to let both of them go because of too many responsibilities on the home front and more intense PT on both shoulders that are encapsulated (left shoulder almost back to normal...not quite; right shoulder probably needs another 6-8 weeks). Been at this PT (again) since January this year...it's wearying. While the pain is significantly reduced, the range of motion is very slow to come back...doesn't help that I have moderate osteoarthritis in both shoulders.
I recently read somewhere that one of the most important muscles in the body to maintain stability is the quads as we age. When you have weak quads (and a weak heart...), that chair sit exercise will suggest both weaknesses, for sure if you're below average.
On a different note, we psychologists refer to "the tyranny of the shoulds." We all get ensnared by those shoulds. Acceptance of what is, must be practiced, daily. And there's another should when I say "must be." Hmmm....once a situation is "accepted" at the core of your being, you can move on.
Counting down (or up) to my 80th! 96 more days... yay!! My husband is almost 86. This morning I rode 20 miles on my e-trike and he walked for an hour. Our motto is "keep starting over," and when I discovered I could no longer safely handle a two-wheeler I said to myself "ADAPT!" No worries, I'm going to keep moving. I'm going to keep finding a way. A few years ago my husband said to me that I should lower my standards... that is a great truth! I do strength training but lighter weights, and I walk for fitness, in addition to the trike. I keep on keeping on, I'm kinder to myself, and I get up every day grateful for this life. Old age is a gift, I'm not going to waste a minute of my wonderful life feeling sorry for what is past! I loved the beginning and I'm going to love the last chapters of my life.
Best. Attitude. Ever!
Way to go Julia! A good attitude and compassion for all the aches and pains our bodies go through as we get older is so important. I can't imagine how difficult it is to deal with all the surgeries and the recovery process you have endured. Your story today was a light bulb moment for me. I have had severe sciatica for the last two weeks. Walking is painful. Sleeping is painful. I want to feel sorry for myself and complain about all the things I took for granted. You remind us to reevaluate how to move forward in a positive way. Thank you for your wisdom, it's always an inspiration. My dog isn't too happy about the situation of course. What happened to the long walks?
Right on board with you there, Julia. The trickiest part about aging, for me, is balance — and I can hold a full tree pose until I get too bored to continue. But finding the right balance between acceptance and the necessary self-discipline it takes to keep the body machinery in good working order without stripping its gears — that's a constant, shifting adjustment. Also, LOVE Val Monroe's Jenner piece!
That piece was an added bonus. So much truth, Jan.
Julia - I love this piece and all the comments; thank you, all!
In The New Old, my latest book, (coming out on Monday!) there’s a chapter called Modify Gracefully, that’s all about this topic: how to recognize when you need to modify; how to talk to yourself helpfully about the situation; how to figure out the necessary modifications. You might find it helpful -
Thank you for the shout-out, Julia! xo
You are most welcome, Valerie. Great piece.
Well, I would like to see the standard deviation around the average for each of the decade groupings for the chair sit standard. I know, I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to anything statistical.
I tried the chair sit exercise. You got me beat by a mile (I'm 73+). I'm at 16 for 30 seconds, but I was just getting warmed up...probably could have done a lot more in 60 seconds. Who knows; I'll try it again, later. I was doing squats regularly (and yoga), but had to let both of them go because of too many responsibilities on the home front and more intense PT on both shoulders that are encapsulated (left shoulder almost back to normal...not quite; right shoulder probably needs another 6-8 weeks). Been at this PT (again) since January this year...it's wearying. While the pain is significantly reduced, the range of motion is very slow to come back...doesn't help that I have moderate osteoarthritis in both shoulders.
I recently read somewhere that one of the most important muscles in the body to maintain stability is the quads as we age. When you have weak quads (and a weak heart...), that chair sit exercise will suggest both weaknesses, for sure if you're below average.
On a different note, we psychologists refer to "the tyranny of the shoulds." We all get ensnared by those shoulds. Acceptance of what is, must be practiced, daily. And there's another should when I say "must be." Hmmm....once a situation is "accepted" at the core of your being, you can move on.
Great piece.
I need to do that test........