I just turned 61, I don't feel old. I still lift weights 4 days a week (I can still squat 300 pounds), cut and stack my own firewood, dig holes and build outbuildings and fences and am probably more active now than I was in my forties. I have a bit more joint pain and a lot less hair, but I agree with the immortal Jack Lalanne...age is just a number!
I graduated high school a year before you and I have another birthday coming up in June. I’ll close out one year and begin another. I don’t FEEL old, though.
As you could tell from my post, I'm in the same mindset. I don't feel old either. Amazing, isn't it? Maybe it's that way so we don't mind getting older ...
C.J. Heck, a 71 year old here and I agree with what you say. While I do not spend time trying to "look young" (whatever the heck THAT means), I just keep going day by day. I can say my Dad used to tell me that he still felt age 20 in his mind, despite the exterior changing. One thing I have learned to do, besides simple walking for exercise, is to keep as limber as I can. I do deep lower back slow stretches almost every night. in which you slowly turn one bent leg to the left while you gently turn your torso to the right and vice versa. This seems to really help my lower back stay limber and allow me to move more easily. I used to shelve books in a library and for books on the lower shelves (THAT many???), I would simply have to sit my behind down on the ground to put the book on the shelf, rather than bending down all day. I would often get questions from people my age, who would see me sitting on the ground with the books. They would say "I understand how you get down there...but how do you get back up??" I would chuckle and say "I learned from little kids in the children's library". I would watch them get up by simply getting on all fours and gently push up with hands and feet! Ungainly but it worked and I still do that at 71. Keep on, everyone, keep mind moving, keep God in your life, keep humble, keep forgiving self and others. One day at a time. Substack is such a great place! WEW
Hi Wendy. Thank you for your comment. I know what you mean about getting down on the floor. Sometimes there is a reason we have to be down there. But I agree, doing the all-fours IS an ungainly way we have to get back up! At least we can still get back up! LOL
I’m 74, 75 in August. With me, it’s the knees. I’m supposed to get knee replacements, but I’m holding out for a while.
C.J. Heck, likewise!! I am also feeling my knees…so many nights of dancing until dawn and driving my five-speed. I do not want replacements, though, intend to keep my born knees, do not trust Drs. Take good care! I will too. WEW
Loved your story! I only went once to my reunion back in the eighties with a school friend who went to the same church I did! And my best girlfriend was there with her husband whom I graduated with. I just hate reunions! And I also don't have anything to wear or be able to wear dress shoes! So, I just don't go!
I only attended three reunions myself. As a matter of fact, I wrote a whole tongue-in-cheek post about those three reunions. You might get a kick out of seeing why I dislike them. LOL
I try not to look in the mirror. Let my beard grow. Still can climb a tree to prune branches as I do landscaping . Graduated a little earlier than you. Just eat sensible food, low on the food chain, stay clear headed writing journals , other art. Keeping active and having friends is one key to aging. Communication to someone.
Let me start by saying, looking at your pic, ain’t no way you’re 70. You look great !
I’m 63. It’s only been the last few years I feel old. Physically, mentally & emotionally. When I hit 60, I still felt like I had some youth left, but the reality quickly became I felt my age. In fact, I went to the golf driving range the other day. First time I picked up a golf club in 10-12 years. You know what. I swung and hit the ball like a 60+ year old that hadn’t picked up a club in 10-12 years. Damn, I felt old. Couldn’t fake it. Your story really hit home, brought back some nice flashbacks. Thank you 😊
What a nice man you are, Ken, and I love your sense of humor! I'm so glad you could relate to the story. I think we seniors all feel that way. The inside us doesn't match the outside us!
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and leave your delightful comments! ❤️ Oh, and you're right, Ken. I'm not 70 ... I'll be 75 in August. My my my, you're good for the soul.
I just turned 61, I don't feel old. I still lift weights 4 days a week (I can still squat 300 pounds), cut and stack my own firewood, dig holes and build outbuildings and fences and am probably more active now than I was in my forties. I have a bit more joint pain and a lot less hair, but I agree with the immortal Jack Lalanne...age is just a number!
Whatever keeps you young, Erniet! Life is for living no matter what age we are. It's nice to 'meet' you! ❤️
I graduated high school a year before you and I have another birthday coming up in June. I’ll close out one year and begin another. I don’t FEEL old, though.
As you could tell from my post, I'm in the same mindset. I don't feel old either. Amazing, isn't it? Maybe it's that way so we don't mind getting older ...
C.J. Heck, a 71 year old here and I agree with what you say. While I do not spend time trying to "look young" (whatever the heck THAT means), I just keep going day by day. I can say my Dad used to tell me that he still felt age 20 in his mind, despite the exterior changing. One thing I have learned to do, besides simple walking for exercise, is to keep as limber as I can. I do deep lower back slow stretches almost every night. in which you slowly turn one bent leg to the left while you gently turn your torso to the right and vice versa. This seems to really help my lower back stay limber and allow me to move more easily. I used to shelve books in a library and for books on the lower shelves (THAT many???), I would simply have to sit my behind down on the ground to put the book on the shelf, rather than bending down all day. I would often get questions from people my age, who would see me sitting on the ground with the books. They would say "I understand how you get down there...but how do you get back up??" I would chuckle and say "I learned from little kids in the children's library". I would watch them get up by simply getting on all fours and gently push up with hands and feet! Ungainly but it worked and I still do that at 71. Keep on, everyone, keep mind moving, keep God in your life, keep humble, keep forgiving self and others. One day at a time. Substack is such a great place! WEW
Hi Wendy. Thank you for your comment. I know what you mean about getting down on the floor. Sometimes there is a reason we have to be down there. But I agree, doing the all-fours IS an ungainly way we have to get back up! At least we can still get back up! LOL
I’m 74, 75 in August. With me, it’s the knees. I’m supposed to get knee replacements, but I’m holding out for a while.
It’s nice talking to you.
C.J. Heck, likewise!! I am also feeling my knees…so many nights of dancing until dawn and driving my five-speed. I do not want replacements, though, intend to keep my born knees, do not trust Drs. Take good care! I will too. WEW
You too? You don't realize how important knees are until they don't work too well. I'm sorry to hear that, WEW. You take care, too. ❤️❤️
Loved your story! I only went once to my reunion back in the eighties with a school friend who went to the same church I did! And my best girlfriend was there with her husband whom I graduated with. I just hate reunions! And I also don't have anything to wear or be able to wear dress shoes! So, I just don't go!
Thank you for your kind words, Connie!
I only attended three reunions myself. As a matter of fact, I wrote a whole tongue-in-cheek post about those three reunions. You might get a kick out of seeing why I dislike them. LOL
https://catherinejheck.substack.com/p/class-reunions
I try not to look in the mirror. Let my beard grow. Still can climb a tree to prune branches as I do landscaping . Graduated a little earlier than you. Just eat sensible food, low on the food chain, stay clear headed writing journals , other art. Keeping active and having friends is one key to aging. Communication to someone.
Let me start by saying, looking at your pic, ain’t no way you’re 70. You look great !
I’m 63. It’s only been the last few years I feel old. Physically, mentally & emotionally. When I hit 60, I still felt like I had some youth left, but the reality quickly became I felt my age. In fact, I went to the golf driving range the other day. First time I picked up a golf club in 10-12 years. You know what. I swung and hit the ball like a 60+ year old that hadn’t picked up a club in 10-12 years. Damn, I felt old. Couldn’t fake it. Your story really hit home, brought back some nice flashbacks. Thank you 😊
What a nice man you are, Ken, and I love your sense of humor! I'm so glad you could relate to the story. I think we seniors all feel that way. The inside us doesn't match the outside us!
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and leave your delightful comments! ❤️ Oh, and you're right, Ken. I'm not 70 ... I'll be 75 in August. My my my, you're good for the soul.
Thank you. I think we have each made a new friend 😉
We have and I thank you, Ken. ❤️
Thank you all so very much for the restacks! ❤️❤️
Thank you for the restack, Karen!
Thank you, Krista! I think a lot of people can relate! LOL