I agree Rob. I recently went “A over T” on a local footpath. Was told that my level of fitness was the difference between a bruise & a break. NB: when does going “A over T” morph into “she had a fall!!!”
Joan at 70 was told to take it easy. At 80 she's deadlifting. Makes me wonder how much of what we call "aging" is really just a body doing exactly what it was asked to do, and nothing more.
Thanks so much. Now, if I remember rightly, you live quite close to us. I had noticed you have been offline for a bit, and I thought - probably on some exciting venture. Hope all is well with you both.
My social media feed shows me plenty of older people who are fit and living life fully - I do it on purpose - the more i Like those kinds of posts the more Insta shows me. I know I need to give myself lots of examples of people in their 80’s and 90’s who are fit and strong to block out all the other garbage on ageing.
I am physically stronger now at 64 than in my 20’s because I lift heavy weights, I only started 4 years ago because I put it off for so long thinking I would hate it. I love lifting heavy weights and I love feeling strong 💪
I agree, I'm happy with lots of examples. Role models got me started on this journey in the first place. I remember thinking OMG you can actually do that in your 70s and 80s. Well, it you can do it, I can do it. So the more role models the better. Let's normalise this kind of aging. And you are right - it just feels so good.
Humans are distributed over the capability being measured or discussed in a Gaussian Curve. Your article is relying on individuals who are on the leading edge of the curve. There will always be exemplary individuals on the leading edge of the curve, but that won’t move the middle nor change the standard deviation of that curve.
Thanks for jumping into the conversation, Tim. That’s an accurate observation from a public health perspective, but population curves describe 'aggregates', not individual potential. Joan MacDonald didn't start at exemplary—she was 'Mrs. Ordinary' who simply changed her mind and took the wheel.
I’m not writing to manage population statistics or shift macro-demographics—I’m writing to an individual human being who needs to know they don't have to stay trapped in the middle of the graph.
I think your observation just backs up her beginning comments: it’s more about active intention than passive acceptance. I have friends that continuously talk about their bodies holding them back or are afraid of falling, etc. Sometimes it sounds or feels like they’re reading a script over and over, as Robyn wrote about. I can’t bear to listen to that anymore, or the same list of ‘what meds are you on’ or ‘my latest surgery or sprain or ER visit.’ I don’t like the gym but do enough on my property to stay strong and active. My shed has a riding mower, chainsaw, edger, hedge trimmer and branch chipper. Loppers, shovels, clippers and a cart to pull behind the tractor. And a big generator. I’m 74 (and a widow for 10 years). My dr visits are a breeze and blood work is fantastic. I go in every 6 months. My lady dr and I end up discussing our grown kids and comparing purses. That isn’t luck or just good genetics, that is intention. And that should be the standard, not the exception. Bonus: my sons are proud of me and I’m hoping I can be independent as long as possible.
Thank you so much for your comment, Trish, and I love your story. I can hear your attitude in it. Your sons should be very proud of you. My doctor and I usually talk about Peloton. I finally talked her into one, and she hasn't stopped raving about it.
I agree Rob. I recently went “A over T” on a local footpath. Was told that my level of fitness was the difference between a bruise & a break. NB: when does going “A over T” morph into “she had a fall!!!”
Never ‘She had a fall’ A over T sounds much better. Sounds like balance work has been added to the regime.
Joan at 70 was told to take it easy. At 80 she's deadlifting. Makes me wonder how much of what we call "aging" is really just a body doing exactly what it was asked to do, and nothing more.
We are seeing many more people demand and get a body that will see them through life’s ups and downs as they age.
Hi Robin, I could not agree more. Great article well written. Thank you.
Thanks so much. Now, if I remember rightly, you live quite close to us. I had noticed you have been offline for a bit, and I thought - probably on some exciting venture. Hope all is well with you both.
Spot on again Robyn!
My social media feed shows me plenty of older people who are fit and living life fully - I do it on purpose - the more i Like those kinds of posts the more Insta shows me. I know I need to give myself lots of examples of people in their 80’s and 90’s who are fit and strong to block out all the other garbage on ageing.
I am physically stronger now at 64 than in my 20’s because I lift heavy weights, I only started 4 years ago because I put it off for so long thinking I would hate it. I love lifting heavy weights and I love feeling strong 💪
I agree, I'm happy with lots of examples. Role models got me started on this journey in the first place. I remember thinking OMG you can actually do that in your 70s and 80s. Well, it you can do it, I can do it. So the more role models the better. Let's normalise this kind of aging. And you are right - it just feels so good.
Hi Robyn, Yes we are at Eltham. Where are you again? Was it Kingscliff? Great to see you are still writing with a passion!!
Yes still at Kingscliff. Are you still writing?
Of course, this lands! Great to find like minds! Aging is inevitable but how we handle it is up to us!
Spot on Lorraine. Ditto on finding like minds. Just found your SS. Looking forward to reading.
Same!
Love Kingscliff - wonderful spot! Less writing at the moment, I am supposed to be retiring but have been dragged back into work for a while.
Humans are distributed over the capability being measured or discussed in a Gaussian Curve. Your article is relying on individuals who are on the leading edge of the curve. There will always be exemplary individuals on the leading edge of the curve, but that won’t move the middle nor change the standard deviation of that curve.
Thanks for jumping into the conversation, Tim. That’s an accurate observation from a public health perspective, but population curves describe 'aggregates', not individual potential. Joan MacDonald didn't start at exemplary—she was 'Mrs. Ordinary' who simply changed her mind and took the wheel.
I’m not writing to manage population statistics or shift macro-demographics—I’m writing to an individual human being who needs to know they don't have to stay trapped in the middle of the graph.
I think your observation just backs up her beginning comments: it’s more about active intention than passive acceptance. I have friends that continuously talk about their bodies holding them back or are afraid of falling, etc. Sometimes it sounds or feels like they’re reading a script over and over, as Robyn wrote about. I can’t bear to listen to that anymore, or the same list of ‘what meds are you on’ or ‘my latest surgery or sprain or ER visit.’ I don’t like the gym but do enough on my property to stay strong and active. My shed has a riding mower, chainsaw, edger, hedge trimmer and branch chipper. Loppers, shovels, clippers and a cart to pull behind the tractor. And a big generator. I’m 74 (and a widow for 10 years). My dr visits are a breeze and blood work is fantastic. I go in every 6 months. My lady dr and I end up discussing our grown kids and comparing purses. That isn’t luck or just good genetics, that is intention. And that should be the standard, not the exception. Bonus: my sons are proud of me and I’m hoping I can be independent as long as possible.
Thank you so much for your comment, Trish, and I love your story. I can hear your attitude in it. Your sons should be very proud of you. My doctor and I usually talk about Peloton. I finally talked her into one, and she hasn't stopped raving about it.