Getting old is for the birds.
Yesterday, my wife had a doctor’s appointment, so I decided that I’d go work out. Typically, we are there together, so going on our own is a little different, but no big deal.
#workingouttogetherrocks
Very true, but it wasn’t going to happen, so I packed both running clothes and swimming trunks as I’ve found that swimming gets my heart level up and is so low impact on my body. The running just is in me. I’m slow, I’m awkward. Yet, I love doing it. I love the feel of my feet on the trail, the sound of my breath, my footsteps on the gravel, the fact my heart rate gets going, and that I work up a good sweat. Plus, both swimming and running are a GREAT way to get rid of the ick that a school day can bring.
#gross
Hush. Anyway, packed my bag, went to school, and had a decent day, however, I was definitely was looking forward to getting some of the rude comments out of my system. Then I moved my knee the wrong way picking up my freaking backpack.
#uhoh
This has happened a couple of times now, I twist my knee a certain pain and suddenly I have pain and swelling, usually for 12-18 hours, then nothing. It’s an age thing, I know this, but even before the pain came, I knew my plans for the afternoon were out the door.
#insertprofanityhere
So, I ran a few other errands that were on the list, but no workout for Darin.
As I get older, I feel that this “aging process” is for the birds. I’ve had glasses off and on since I was 20, but this past year, finally started wearing them full-time, with *sigh* bifocals (not sure if there’s a more up-to-date word for that, but it’s all I got). I will say, prescription sunglasses are amazing. Being able to see while in the sun, worth the money spent for sure. My license wasn’t restricted, but I knew that I’d be in trouble the next time a renewal needed to happen.
I dealt with plantar fasciitis, so I’ve got insoles for all my shoes. If I drink too much, the hangout lasts longer (not a big deal, but a wedding last summer opened my eyes). If I eat too much, that pain lasts longer. And the list goes on and on.
Now, don’t come at me with the “with age comes wisdom” or any of those pithy quotes about growing old gracefully. Nope, don’t want to hear it. I want my eyesight to be better, my knee to be swollen, and to get a good night’s sleep! 🙂
I’m 5 – 7 years out from retirement, so taking care of my body so it’s not broken is a big deal to me. So, I don’t drink a whole lot of caffeine after noon because it messes with my sleep. I love me some health tea with honey (a staple for winter). I don’t eat as much at meals, but try to space out my eating thought-out the day. I try to get at least 5 workouts of 30 minutes per day per week. While getting old sucks, taking care of your health does not. I know and read my body much better now than I did in my 20s or even 30s.
So, are you one of those “oh I’ll age gracefully and be fine with it” or do you fall into the “nope, I’ll age kicking and screaming” category? Leave me a comment and let me know where you fall!
I won’t make fun of you too much. I forgot my glasses at home so it’s all good! 🙂
#dork
March 2, 2023 at 10:55 am
Darin, this just made me laugh. I’ve been going through the same thing for a few years (I’m a tad older than you). As my mom, who is 88, says, “Getting old sucks, but it’s better than the alternative”.
I did my Medicare physical last week—they check for things I hadn’t thought about. Like a cognitive test! Probably wouldn’t have passed it when I was still teaching—too many other things on my mind!
March 2, 2023 at 11:43 am
>Probably wouldn’t have passed it when I was still teaching—too many other things on my mind!<
Hey Deb!! 🙂 To your point, oh my gosh! I have so much going through my brain right now when I'm here at school I'm surprised there's room for anything else!
March 2, 2023 at 11:12 am
As a 30-year-old I read this and I think: taking care of yourself shouldn’t be just a thing for “old” people. Your post has a nice sense of humor and I can totally relate to the hangover detail!
March 2, 2023 at 11:41 am
Nope, I agree! However, for a long time, I was over weight (not that I’m slim, but slimer) and ate like a teenager. It’s take a couple of things for me to get my head on straight, but I feel better. Now, it’s just maintaining so I’m not breaking down too soon1 🙂
March 2, 2023 at 11:14 am
“Tweet! Tweet! No pithy old age quotes” …I’m kicking and screaming, “Why me?” I’ve always considered myself active-love to hike and walk and play pickleball and a knee injury has me down. But, I am getting it treated so that it doesn’t get worse…and that is why I am joyously celebrating ’65’…
March 2, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Hahahaha! I love the format of this post, all the hashtags made it fun to read! And although you seem like you are kicking and screaming along the ‘aging’ trail, you sound as though you are doing tons of things right! I think I have a different perspective on aging. My husband only made it to 62 even though he was always the healthiest person in the room (except for the fact he had cancer). Here I am trucking along at 64 now and I feel really good. I did retire and that helps, if I want to sit around and read, I do it, if I want to take a long walk, I do that. But I’ll take aging if it’s the only option, know what I mean? I know what I can do (and what I shouldn’t) and that makes me feel pretty awesome!
March 2, 2023 at 5:41 pm
I thought I was going along just ignoring minor creaks, until this year when I have been hit over and over again by possibly age related maladies. So now I have a string of supplements on repeat, a physical therapist, and regular appointment at my dentist, and a much earlier bedtime.
March 2, 2023 at 7:29 pm
OMG! You speak the truth for sure!! Supplements and dentist appointments and an earlier bed time ALL fit into my schedule!
March 2, 2023 at 5:45 pm
Your post made me laugh out loud! I definitely need to think more about my health, especially as 50 creeps closer and closer!
March 2, 2023 at 7:28 pm
I have a love/hate relationship with my health. I love being healthy, but hate keeping myself healthy! 🙂
March 2, 2023 at 11:40 pm
Oh, I am definitely in the “kicking and screaming” category! Possibly it stems from being 54 with a 12 year old when my own mom was 34 when I was 12. My parenting expectations are decades younger than my body actually is. Possibly it stems from the fact that my knees have been 85 since I was 34, so I am perennially confused about aging. Possibly I am just cantankerous!
March 3, 2023 at 1:20 am
I agree with the sentiment, but way better than the alternative- an early death. I did not need glasses until 49 and then got the full package- progressives (3 lenses) that darken to sunglasses because I knew I would never carry an extra pair of glasses.
March 3, 2023 at 9:53 pm
Hmmm … do I think I’ll age gracefully? I think I’ve definitely turned a corner in that direction. I was a kicker and screamer for a while. But then I started to look forward to some of the freedoms of old age, and I find myself quite jealous of friends who’ve already retired. The jealousy isn’t graceful, but I think my growing understanding of the gift of old age bodes well. 🙂
March 3, 2023 at 10:06 pm
>But then I started to look forward to some of the freedoms of old age, and I find myself quite jealous of friends who’ve already retired.<
This is where I'm at as well. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it's still off in the distance. I look forward to the freedom of doing what I want, when I want, and that's tough. It's a matter of putting in the work to make it there.