On the Today show yesterday Ann said something that made my head snap up - she was talking about the reality check of realizing your mental age does NOT go with the image you see in the mirror. Hmpf - yup, that's me. My age and body image in the mirror do not jive with my mental picture of me. I look at recent pictures and think - who is that? And then I realize - it's me. Holy Old Age Batman - when did that happen????
I turned 54 this month. Age doesn't really mean much to me, I never can remember how old I am, I have to think of how old Jim is or how old my oldest son is and then figure it out from there. I can never figure out how old anyone else is either, I'm terrible at guessing. I have some pretty spry 80 something customers and that's what I want to be, an older woman who no one can figure out how old she is.
If that's going to happen, I need to change some things and get with the program. More exercise, eat better - all that stuff that most of us put off - till we get older. It's a heck of a thing to look at a picture and realize that you are older - NOW!
Fracturing my ankle last month was a rude awakening of the helplessness and frustration of not being physically capable of doing what I wanted when I wanted. It was a look into what life could be like in my later years and I have to tell you, I didn't like it. I discovered I'm not really a good patient - no patience. I really can't believe how long it's taking for this ankle to get back to "normal".
Just when you are cruising along in life, things happen that change everything - grandchildren are born, elderly parents need care, something affects your health. It's all a wake up call. Eat better, get some exercise and take care of YOU so you don't have to depend on others to take care of you.
Nothing in life is guaranteed, I know that. I could start running to strengthen my heart and get hit by a car (I'd be really ticked that I'd run for nothing since I HATE running). I'm just going to hedge my bets and prepare my body for a healthy as possible older age. Ok, running is definitely not in my future but getting back to yoga is. Dieting - nope, as soon as someone tells me I can't have something, I CRAVE it, but I will make better choices of what I do eat.
My goal is that next year when I look at recent pictures, I'll see an image that looks a little closer to the one I have in my head.
Till next time.
4 comments:
Deb,
Reading your blog post echo'd the exact things I said to myself, my friends and Al when I broke my wrist back in mid September. It was such an eye opening experience. It's been 9 months and I'd been cruising along feeling like I was finally healing, then all I did was go to grab something heavy and then it's 3 days of non stop aching in the hand.
I've started biking, dieting and using light weights for my wrist strength.
I feel your pain and know exactly what you're saying!!!
Peggy
I completely understand and have been wanting to do some yoga too since it makes one more flexible.
Deb,
You are so wise! I couldn't agree more with all you have said here. At least we still have our quilting passion to lean on. I know it is helping me get through this life-altering year. Thanks for all you do to keep us sane:) See you soon, I still need my long arm lesson on the Pro-stitcher but waiting for your ankle to heal:).
Joan Fisher
You are so right! After cleaning out 1 house and an apartment from both our parents we have learned when in doubt throw it out LOL
My Mom had a saying: You don't feel yourself getting old you just wake up one day and look in the mirror and there you are OLD!
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