This is me, exactly! (With the exception that I still fight going to the gym more often than not!) But I do want to be a “functional old lady”, and I’m acutely aware that my neglected body won’t love me back if I don’t love it first.
If Giyen and I didn't carpool to the gym, I too would fight it and find reasons not to go. I've stopped shaming myself and asking why? WHYYYYY? and just let benign peer pressure work its magic.
30 years from now we will be thanking young Giyen and young Asha for being so loving toward the older versions of ourselves. We are the most hardcore middle aged women at planet fitness at 6am. 🤣
What an amazing throwback picture. I always loved hearing you talk about your Dad's fitness regimen (and no joke, I just brought up his Kirkland button downs the other night). :-)
God, at this age, I have to do my exercise routine just to maintain what I still have. Gym buddies are the key, I think. My oldest kid goes to Planet Fitness with her roommates. It's good motivation. She tells me there is one opening in our neighborhood so she plans on continuing.
Yes, cobbled together from what I learned from my PT/OT sessions last year and some youtube videos. I HAVE to do them now. Plus I've had mysterious hip pain for 8 months because, old age 😭
Excellent. I really enjoyed this, Asha. I'm 67, and I've refined my own workout much like your Dad, an amalgam of yoga, walking, hiking, light weights, and bicycle riding. My goal is to sit cross legged until I'm 85. lol Nicely done.
Now that is an excellent goal, and your routine sounds wonderful. My Dad was from India, where folks of all ages commonly sit cross-legged on the floor. At home, in temples...
Last summer, I went to our public swimming pool for what I call old lady aerobics almost every day. It was amazing, exercise that filled me with joy and that I kept at because a friend picked me up in her golf cart every day. Can't wait to get back to it in June!
What a great story, Robyn! The joy of exercise and movement is more accessible to me now that it's not hooked to sports or performance. Nothing against those who want to pursue those things -- it's just not for me right now.
So much of this Rings true for me to although to be honest I really don't like exercise. I have often said I like exercising my intellect more than my body but I've gotten better at getting over to the local Planet Fitness too. What really resonates is you're comment on how judgmental people are about exercise these days. Particularly in the days of GLP-1s. The shame around weight as created a divide between normal and overweight, a larger chasm similar to the one that has been growing between the financially well off and the financially destitute. We judge people for not having self control when in fact there are a lot of genetics involved and not everyone can or wants to take more medication.
Appreciate your perspective, Janna. There's so much cultural baggage -- and money to be made -- around exercise. It's a toxic combo. It took a long time for me to wade through the complicating nonsense and get to the simple fact that exercise and movement is for everyone.
I told my friend lately (our parents are falling apart in stereo and we're bonding over that) my goal is to be an old lady who walks along the lakefront. I feel like that should be an achievable goal? Tbd.
Ha! Thanks, Claire. I heard somewhere that the secret to being able to do something when you're old (like walk along the lakefront) is to do it now and just never stop. :) Wishing you well as you support your parents. So, so much to talk about. I'm glad you have a friend to bond with.
I love this story about your dad. My mom used to do stretches and calisthenics in her bathrobe😂
I've always been active and only got back into strength training in 2016 post knee surgery. I love lifting weights, but more than that, I just love being active. Long walks, casual bike rides, a good dance session with an online video. Anything that moves you and brings you joy is the sweet spot.
That’s so great, Charlene. Your body will thank you many times over. I feel foolish that it has taken me this long to get serious, but I try not to stay there too long. At least everything still works and I have a good place to start.
Functional old lady is a great goal! And one I share. Planet Fitness is such a good deal, and it's in my repertoire of fitness strategies. I also ice skate regularly (though my rink at Lloyd Center is soon to be no more 😭). I could probably never keep a routine the way your dad did, but if there's a social element it's so much easier. It's a constant challenge because I'm an indoorswoman at heart, but I look at my mom's functioning in her early 80's and I want what she has if I'm able to get to that age. She's still doing exercise classes a few times a week.
This is very inspiring and realistic! I’ve tried many, many things too like you did and have finally settled to home strength training (like your dad), mat pilates and cardio by Emma fitness. Doesn’t hurt to keep on walking too. And now, I’m working on consistency.
Loved this, especially the throwback to your dad, I recognised some of my own Dad's philosophy in there. The numbers going in the wrong direction at a certain age is very relatable. Though I'd rather that than grow old and immobile, so the trade-off is worth it. Finding a rhythm that actually fits your life takes longer, I've recently started going with my husband and we have a similar mocking on the days we don;t want to go but go anyway
This rings so true to me. I have seen my fitness and abilities to do things slowly diminish. I am now fighting back. Trying to recover what I lost.
Also watching my father and father-in-law (FIL) age so differently. My FIL being more like your dad and always understood the importance of movement and exercise vs my dad who refuses to exercise. My dad can’t stand but a few minutes after 2 back surgeries. My FIL refused back surgery , endured an intense period of pain with little meds because he refused those also. He can run circles around my dad because he always pushed himself to keep moving. I want to age gently but I have to fight for it.
I love how reasonable and kind you come across in a genre that’s filled with fervent proselytizers. I also love the concept of buying “health lottery” - wellness bucks you can redeem in old age! I love reading about the oldest woman who finished the Ironman this past year, or the 80-something year old who set a new world record for a deadhang, but that’s actually NOT in my old woman wish list. Much like you, I want to be able to get up from the floor, I want to be able to carry my groceries, I want to be able to climb up and down stairs and have a nearly straight back for as long as possible. But honestly, I’m giddy at the idea of being able to read as much as I want to!!!!
I once did a class where we sat with our arms stretched out for what seemed like hours and clenched and unclenched our fists. I think there may have been some screaming too (which was encouraged) Then the teacher said if you get older and you don't have grip strength then that's going to be the difference between being able to live on your own or having to get assistance. It really made me think so differently about my body and what exercise means to me now. I want to be that old lady who can still twist open the top of a bottle of wine!
Again so well written my friend! I’m glad to hear you are out exercising regularly wish I could be with you!
Oh my god, Alisa. My other role model!! You’ve always been patient and supportive (and tolerant of my 🐂💩)
You do wish you could be with us! It’s so fun in its terribleness. 🤣
This is me, exactly! (With the exception that I still fight going to the gym more often than not!) But I do want to be a “functional old lady”, and I’m acutely aware that my neglected body won’t love me back if I don’t love it first.
If Giyen and I didn't carpool to the gym, I too would fight it and find reasons not to go. I've stopped shaming myself and asking why? WHYYYYY? and just let benign peer pressure work its magic.
30 years from now we will be thanking young Giyen and young Asha for being so loving toward the older versions of ourselves. We are the most hardcore middle aged women at planet fitness at 6am. 🤣
“Young.” 😂😂😂
What an amazing throwback picture. I always loved hearing you talk about your Dad's fitness regimen (and no joke, I just brought up his Kirkland button downs the other night). :-)
I have one of his Kirkland button-downs hanging right in the front of my closet.
God, at this age, I have to do my exercise routine just to maintain what I still have. Gym buddies are the key, I think. My oldest kid goes to Planet Fitness with her roommates. It's good motivation. She tells me there is one opening in our neighborhood so she plans on continuing.
Do you do your own homegrown routine?
Yes, cobbled together from what I learned from my PT/OT sessions last year and some youtube videos. I HAVE to do them now. Plus I've had mysterious hip pain for 8 months because, old age 😭
Excellent. I really enjoyed this, Asha. I'm 67, and I've refined my own workout much like your Dad, an amalgam of yoga, walking, hiking, light weights, and bicycle riding. My goal is to sit cross legged until I'm 85. lol Nicely done.
Now that is an excellent goal, and your routine sounds wonderful. My Dad was from India, where folks of all ages commonly sit cross-legged on the floor. At home, in temples...
I can sit cross-legged but getting up is my problem! 😬
Last summer, I went to our public swimming pool for what I call old lady aerobics almost every day. It was amazing, exercise that filled me with joy and that I kept at because a friend picked me up in her golf cart every day. Can't wait to get back to it in June!
What a great story, Robyn! The joy of exercise and movement is more accessible to me now that it's not hooked to sports or performance. Nothing against those who want to pursue those things -- it's just not for me right now.
So much of this Rings true for me to although to be honest I really don't like exercise. I have often said I like exercising my intellect more than my body but I've gotten better at getting over to the local Planet Fitness too. What really resonates is you're comment on how judgmental people are about exercise these days. Particularly in the days of GLP-1s. The shame around weight as created a divide between normal and overweight, a larger chasm similar to the one that has been growing between the financially well off and the financially destitute. We judge people for not having self control when in fact there are a lot of genetics involved and not everyone can or wants to take more medication.
Appreciate your perspective, Janna. There's so much cultural baggage -- and money to be made -- around exercise. It's a toxic combo. It took a long time for me to wade through the complicating nonsense and get to the simple fact that exercise and movement is for everyone.
You are so cute just want to say.
I told my friend lately (our parents are falling apart in stereo and we're bonding over that) my goal is to be an old lady who walks along the lakefront. I feel like that should be an achievable goal? Tbd.
Ha! Thanks, Claire. I heard somewhere that the secret to being able to do something when you're old (like walk along the lakefront) is to do it now and just never stop. :) Wishing you well as you support your parents. So, so much to talk about. I'm glad you have a friend to bond with.
I love this story about your dad. My mom used to do stretches and calisthenics in her bathrobe😂
I've always been active and only got back into strength training in 2016 post knee surgery. I love lifting weights, but more than that, I just love being active. Long walks, casual bike rides, a good dance session with an online video. Anything that moves you and brings you joy is the sweet spot.
That’s so great, Charlene. Your body will thank you many times over. I feel foolish that it has taken me this long to get serious, but I try not to stay there too long. At least everything still works and I have a good place to start.
Functional old lady is a great goal! And one I share. Planet Fitness is such a good deal, and it's in my repertoire of fitness strategies. I also ice skate regularly (though my rink at Lloyd Center is soon to be no more 😭). I could probably never keep a routine the way your dad did, but if there's a social element it's so much easier. It's a constant challenge because I'm an indoorswoman at heart, but I look at my mom's functioning in her early 80's and I want what she has if I'm able to get to that age. She's still doing exercise classes a few times a week.
This is very inspiring and realistic! I’ve tried many, many things too like you did and have finally settled to home strength training (like your dad), mat pilates and cardio by Emma fitness. Doesn’t hurt to keep on walking too. And now, I’m working on consistency.
Loved this, especially the throwback to your dad, I recognised some of my own Dad's philosophy in there. The numbers going in the wrong direction at a certain age is very relatable. Though I'd rather that than grow old and immobile, so the trade-off is worth it. Finding a rhythm that actually fits your life takes longer, I've recently started going with my husband and we have a similar mocking on the days we don;t want to go but go anyway
Love this. Especially the idea of “lottery tickets” after I made myself pick up heavy things this morning.
This rings so true to me. I have seen my fitness and abilities to do things slowly diminish. I am now fighting back. Trying to recover what I lost.
Also watching my father and father-in-law (FIL) age so differently. My FIL being more like your dad and always understood the importance of movement and exercise vs my dad who refuses to exercise. My dad can’t stand but a few minutes after 2 back surgeries. My FIL refused back surgery , endured an intense period of pain with little meds because he refused those also. He can run circles around my dad because he always pushed himself to keep moving. I want to age gently but I have to fight for it.
I love how reasonable and kind you come across in a genre that’s filled with fervent proselytizers. I also love the concept of buying “health lottery” - wellness bucks you can redeem in old age! I love reading about the oldest woman who finished the Ironman this past year, or the 80-something year old who set a new world record for a deadhang, but that’s actually NOT in my old woman wish list. Much like you, I want to be able to get up from the floor, I want to be able to carry my groceries, I want to be able to climb up and down stairs and have a nearly straight back for as long as possible. But honestly, I’m giddy at the idea of being able to read as much as I want to!!!!
I once did a class where we sat with our arms stretched out for what seemed like hours and clenched and unclenched our fists. I think there may have been some screaming too (which was encouraged) Then the teacher said if you get older and you don't have grip strength then that's going to be the difference between being able to live on your own or having to get assistance. It really made me think so differently about my body and what exercise means to me now. I want to be that old lady who can still twist open the top of a bottle of wine!