Five years ago we were getting ready to move out of our house of 40 years. I was running up and down the stairs, packing up boxes, and taking things to the local Grey Bears organization to give away. Five years later, I have changed. I no longer take stairs without grasping the railing for dear life. I don’t run up and down anything anymore. I take naps every day, whenever I can.
It seems to me that there are significant changes in our health during the 70s. Most of us would say we slow down some. Doing three errands in a row now can seem too much (two I can manage!). When we were working full time we might have had half a dozen appointments in a day, but we rarely forgot any. Now I have to set my iphone calendar and alarm to remind me of one thing I have to do.
Our body definitely changes in our 70s too. In my case, I have become shorter and fatter. I used to say I would go see a doctor if I ever lost 5 pounds for no reason. Now I have gained 5 pounds, and I refuse to blame it on french fries or the desserts I never used to have. Science says we become less of a “pear” and more of an “apple” as fat shifts from our lower body to our middle. Is there such a thing as a pearapp? I think I have fat in both places! It’s a fact that our bones shrink and become less dense, causing us to lose height. I was shocked when I went in for a bone density scan last week and saw that I had lost 2 inches of height. I don’t think I had measured my height for years, so I just assumed I was still was 5’5″. Apparently I am only 5’3″!
What to do about these changes? Nothing more than they have always told us — exercise daily (yeah I knew that all along), eat a healthy diet (does that include french fries?), don’t smoke (thankfully I never did) and get enough sleep (that one is easy to achieve with a lovely afternoon nap). Also, we should get enough calcium, either from food or supplements or both, get enough Vitamin D, either from being outdoors or taking a supplement, and do weight bearing exercises.
It’s the exercise part I find more difficult to do. Because I have a bad back, it’s hard to take long or even short hikes. So that leaves a gym or a pool. This week I thought of a great solution to make exercise more fun. Instead of asking my husband if he would like to go to the gym with me, I came up with “Do you want to go to Costa Rica or Mexico?” Costa Rica is a program on the recumbent bicycle in our gym, that allows you to watch yourself bicycling down a road near Lake Arenal in Costa Rica. Since we love Costa Rica and have been there many times, moving your legs as you drift along a familiar road is not a punishment. As for Mexico, we have a pool next to our apartment. I have not been using it to exercise because I had the excuse it was too cold — or too hot. Now I think of going to the pool as “Going to Mexico.” There are lounge chairs and umbrellas around the pool, and all that is missing is the cocktail with the little paper umbrella after I have finished swimming.
Bottom line is that there is more to my bottom now that I am in my 70s. But didn’t we call this blog “proud aging women”? Yes we did, and I am not complaining.
I think part of the reason we don’t always do what we “should” in terms of exercise, etc. is that the consequences are not immediate. The impact of being lazy, eating those french fries, or postponing your exercise for a day don’t affect you today….and a few years down the line feels a long way away! Key is to, as you say, Fran, “just do it.” Do it for today not for some unknowable few years down the line.
Thanks, Fran. I have been struggling with these changes for a few years. However, I have good news today in that my bone density exam showed “maintenance” at osteopenia and not osteoporosis! So while we age, maybe we can slow it down and maintain a little! Very good news. I do plan to ratchet up the weight bearing exercise and the calcium supplements. I have not taken that as seriously as I should. I would love how others feel about this!
I subscribe to about 4 health newsletters (don’t ask me why!). They all say the same thing again and again. Mediterranean diet; exercise — 30 minutes of walking most days will do, plus some weight bearing exercise a few times a week; 8 cups of water a day (tea and coffee don’t count); plenty of sleep; some good relationships; engagement of some meaningful activity. It’s actually pretty simple. Endless articles repeat these lessons. We know what to do! Just gotta do it.
Linda — this is a great true confessions. And thanks for the good advice on how to turn an exercise routine into a travel adventure.
Yes, late 70’s, early 80’s are indeed a time of change. I live on the third floor of our condominium, and I now have a rule with myself: When going up or downstairs, that is the ONLY activity. No looking at my phone; no checking the mail I just got out of the mailbox; no looking at the people chatting in the courtyard. Just hang onto the railing and focus on climbing the steps or descending them. I’m in great health, but I know I am just one fall away from a very different life.
I found insightful a comment I once heard that went like this: When we are very young, we change rapidly. Think of the difference between a 4 year old and a 14 year old. Toward the end of our lives, we also change rapidly. The difference between 80 and 90 can be enormous. During our middle years we don’t change that much physically. The difference between 40 and 50 — hardly noticeable. Or between 60 and 70. So we may expect to continue not changing much. But later, change can speed up. Good you are recognizing that and realizing what that means.