UNFIT WOMAN

 I am not fit. I am unabashedly, unashamedly, unfit. I am seriously out of shape. When I drop something the thought of bending down to pick the item up traumatizes me. If I bend down I may not be able to straighten up. I may end up on the floor. Stuck. Frozen in time. If the blood hasn’t rushed to my head and I’m still conscious, I may be wondering where my cell phone is. (That’s another problem for another day, forgetting my cell phone, my connection with the world. People who live alone should always have their cell phone with them. I’m told.)

Obviously, the solution to this problem is simple. Start exercising. The Council on Aging always has different exercise workouts in their programs. Every city, town and the internet boast different exercise classes. Personal trainers abound. There’s no excuse for my lack of fitness.

In my fifties I walked…everyday, rain or shine for at least two miles. In my sixties, I did aerobics with a friend. We liked the music. But when that changed. Well, since my seventies I’ve been remiss.

Although, I’ve been to Tai Chi for six sessions. And I also attended one balance class. The thing is I get bored too easily. That may be because I have a bit of undiagnosed AADD - Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. My attention wanders. I’d rather be writing. Or reading.

But I’m not one for giving up. I usually circle the challenge for a few days, or weeks, before narrowing down on a solution. 

So I have resolved to join the masses and become more fit. Some who think I may be too old to start now (into my 80’s) will have to acknowledge exercise is the very best thing for one’s health no matter how old. It’s number one. So, I am going to buy a cute little exercise outfit and start at home with chair/couch yoga. Soon. Wish me luck!

 

 

ADVANCED AGE BACHELORETTES

 My invitation must have been lost in the mail. Otherwise, I would be one of those senior bachelorettes looking for love with the Golden Bachelor. Honestly, though, nice and as sweet as he can possibly be, or so the love contestants say, he’s way too young for me.

But I do believe love can come at any age even without cameras.

As a twice-divorced and widowed woman, I’ve experienced my share of the emotion. I’m living proof of hope triumphing over experience. Falling in love is great. But falling out, not so much.

I spent my professional life in broadcasting, commercial and PBS and I certainly understand the value of ratings to any network or facility. And apparently this program is bringing in the ratings (read $$$ dollars). I confess that I’ve not seen an entire program, just a snatch. Still, I get the programming concept…let’s make money! The program worked with the younger generation.

There are many of us in our golden years who are not willing to risk our precious freedom for a husband, even for fame or fortune. And then there are the others.

One more thing. Searching in a pack for love and group dates is beyond me. It’s sad…and looks more than a little desperate.

LESSONS IN LEARNING TO LET GO

“Don’t put off ‘til tomorrow what you can do today.”

This ole’ adage, which I lived by back in the day, required me to create at least one lengthy list per twenty-four hour period. I used to live by my daily to-do list, which usually included the professional and personal, and necessitated a great deal of energy to accomplish every item. Sample follows:

1) Book guests for the week of the 20th,

2) Write three promotional videos,

3) Attend meeting on and in the employee lounge,

4) Make hair appointment

5) Return four calls from vendors

Etc. etc.

 

These lists were part of my life for some 35 years. Sometimes a few items had to be moved into the next day if I ran out of time or energy, but a low energy day was a rare phenomenon. And when I finished every item in one day I felt so very productive. Which is a grand feeling.

A grand feeling that totally deserted me sometime during my 70’s.

You may have had a similar experience. It was during my 70’s that I discovered high energy days were becoming fewer and far between. There were more low energy days which meant that very few objectives might be met. And that definitely wasn’t a good feeling.

Yes, even in “retirement” I lived by my to-do lists. It took me a few minutes (months) to realize this flux in energy might have something to do with aging, or possibly medications, and I shouldn’t beat myself up. So now on a low energy day, I give myself much needed permission to watch a movie marathon or take a morning nap. (Without giving up my afternoon nap.)

In the end, aging is about letting go, slowly, of one responsibility after another. Previous control oriented persons like me have a difficult time learning this. But I’m getting there. (Except for letting go of fun. Fun may take different forms now but I’ll never abandon a chance to laugh or to claim a new adventure.)

I’ve still not given up altogether on to-do lists either. Now I have two lists…a “maybe” it’ll get done, and a “general” list.  Maybe I’ll do this today, maybe not. Hopefully, I’ll accomplish several small tasks this week. The general list covers my goals for the month. There is no daily list anymore.          When I wake up in the morning, I can usually determine if it will be a high or low energy day and then plan accordingly.

We can’t expect that the goals we had when we were thirty years old for each day, month, and year would roll right into our retirement years. That would be downright self-defeating. The thing is to enjoy the day, each day whether high energy or low.

A dear friend frequently used to quote F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Living well is the best revenge.”

Nowadays for me, sometimes living well is as simple and satisfying as letting go of the lists and enjoying a morning nap!