Am I Lazy or just OLD?
I have 2 nieces in the hospital right now having heart surgery and this has made me much more determined to eat better, work more and harder, and to have a formal exercise program. I am over 70 and all my complaints are minor. I am not diabetic, my blood pressure is normal and I was able to walk up to the top of a lighthouse of 203 steps recently. I see and hear well and without appliances, because I have always been fairly health conscious, but recently I found myself just slowing down at a scary rate. Life is being productive and doing things. I have done too little for too long. I do believe that I and you can benefit greatly with any efforts however small.
Maybe some of you remember, I am always revving up my will power to be active and exercise. This time I started by working on my motivation and I am better prepared than before. I can easily become a better sitter than mover, but that is also not living and that is just unacceptable. I feel a little better. I just read a REPORT from the US Surgeon General that said that one of three men and one of every two women DO NO ACTIVITY at all.by age 75. This desire to slow down and do little can be very normal, and must be overcome if it happens to us. Any activity can make an improvement, so we all need to try to move more.
I discovered Silver Sneakers which is for seniors and free with my insurance and 65 insurance plans cover it. Silver Sneakers is a wonderful senior program for people 65 and over in the US and maybe Canada. I hope you have something similar where you live. There are classes designed just for people of my age. I am new in this program, but I think I am learning to love the program and what it can do.This is a wonderful program for seniors. I see women and men who are like me, some worse and some better and some just terrific, so I see what is possible. The terrific ones are the ones who have been in the program for a while. Some people are truly amazing.
Exercise combats all the problems of aging. Any level of activity is better than none. Cooking and cleaning and gardening is all good. But, we can benefit from more of that also. Our classes are designed to work every muscle in the body and has a weight and cardio component. All gym facilities are available and there are 13,000 participating gyms. The program is wonderful.
I will say that “the MORE we do” the more we can and want to do”. Being active fuels more desire and energy to keep moving. I am ready to plan a 10 week 70 day body and stamina improvement plan. I have been reading and studying and am optimistic about my sticking with the program. I want to be toned, to build muscles, to lose a few pounds and most of all regain my former “joy of living” that keeps me moving and overcomes the sitting or resting urge. It is also tru. ” LESS we do, the LESS we do.
Exercise and being active is necessary as we age to WARD OFF illness, keep bones and joints in working order, and energizing us to keep us moving and doing and reducing stress and making us feel happy and joyful. I think I have this firmly lodged in my brain, and I hope you do to. I will let you all know what I manage in 70 days, so it will be about Valentine’s day. This is really going to be FUN.
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Hi Rose, yes to be sitting around all day doing nothing is not good practice, but of course some people have no option although there are gentle upper body exercises that could be done………well good luck with your programme, keep motivated, mind over matter, looking forward to your feedback on Valentines day…..
Star, my reply is here further down.
Well said Rose, and you are so right, the saying “if you don’t use it, you will lose it” certainly applies as we get older. The very reason I am hesitant to give up my job. I have worked all my life and can’t imagine life without it. So do get up and MOVE people, you will benefit greatly.
Thank you Star, and I am hoping to stay motivated and I will report back.
Bloom , you are so right , eat well,exersize to your bodies potential even if it is chair based, it is helpful, as one becomes older Arthritis etc : can be a bit of a drawback however, gentle warm water exersize is helpful, and can set back the clock ,good dietry habits such as vegetable, fruit , cooking olis , just a teaspoon or a brush,on chicken and fish , red meat once or twice a week ,for iron , a few carbs inmoderation and you will soon feel on top of the world ….Heart disease canbe either genetic , or due to lack of exersize and poor dietry habits over a long period of time …, so with this advice you may all live to be one hundred .. lol xxx.
Judee, it is good to hear from you Judee, we have all hear about using or losing, but nobody told me that it would be so easy to sit and keep sitting. It really takes an effort at this stage of life. The whole concept of retirement is a bad one.. Many people get in trouble when they retire and become lost souls.
thats easy as i am both lolol
Really cef. Sorry LOL
Hi roseinbloom. I wish you luck with your exercise program. Here in our city they call it “dusty sneakers”. They also had a “rusty blades” for skating but I don’t see it anymore.
I agree with Judeee about having a job. It does regulate my life; I use an alarm clock to get up for work, I like the interaction with co workers, and I appreciate being away from the ‘real boss’ for a few hours!
I’ve been doing research since yesterday, okay, googling… I’ve read that endorphins are the body’s natural analgesic. And that they may be responsible for the placebo effect in studies. Shows the power of the brain as far as I’m concerned.
In short, endorphins are naturally increased by, what do you know, taking group exercise classes. I remember that I loved going to the gym classes in school. There was this rush when I entered the gym hardwood floor, having all my classmates around and hearing the bouncing of the balls, the shouting, the thumps and skidding of the sneakers. I swear I remember trembling.
I have always liked studying. I remember a year in particular when I attended a 6 week course in my apprenticeship. I had to sit in class with very little physical activity. I ended up losing 5 pounds during that period. I know that I felt the same rush.
Personally I feel there is a connection with being excited and in anticipation, looking forward to something. I do have goals in my life. Nothing Earth shattering. But most importantly, I have many plan “B”‘s.
Looking forward to your progress.
Davisr, Thank you so much for you comments and good wishes. I so appreciate knowing your comments about group exercise. I am on Day 9, and I already am getting so much more energy and stamina.
This is the first time I made a whole nutrition and exercise plan. Before it was hit or miss.
You sound very smart and capable, Rose, and thanks for the reminder! I know there’s a Curves nearby, and keep procrastinating, so appreciate the gentle push;)
cris, I am glad that you got a little nudge in the right direction.
Hello Michael, how very true, progress does not always do us any favours………..but not sure I would want to stand hours washing clothes by hand……..ouch !! my poor back………… haven’t resorted to a gardener yet, and I have stopped using the dishwasher, so not all bad………xxx
The only alternative I see to this dear Star are some small investements in modern fabrics. Modern fabrics made in South-East Asia that cleans themself even water comes near to it.
Disadvantage; these fabrics are not so comfortable to wear on hot days during the year. But in total, you’re on the right way to add a couple of more years to 100. xxxM
Very true Micheal ! A long time ago,I decided to employ a lady to do my washin,ironin and cleanin…..Iv never felt so fit in all my life. 🙂
I agree with you cap. LOL