It isn't often that anyone is happy to be wrong, but I am.
Let me explain. When life threw me a curve ball in the form of a meniscus ripped off the bone--that led to a surgery and a six week long recovery on the couch with my leg in the air, walking on crutches--I didn't think I was ever going to go back to what I had been doing before. The loooong recovery of 16 months of getting strength and flexibility back was another curve ball I didn't see coming. What does long mean to you?
I got a twitchy back problem on top of that from the physical therapy I was dutifully doing for my knee. I can't make this up. I know I am not alone because I saw all of the other patients at physical therapy in braces and boots and crutches trying to cope. And no one wants to focus on their problem because it stinks. No one wants to think this is all there is. That stinks too.
So, much to my surprise, when I dared to go back to my Orangetheory workout to see if I could even do it--which took weeks for me to work up the courage to find out, I got a big fat ego spanking. I wasn't where I used to be, of course not. Not even close. But I was on the way. And after a month of regular workouts there, I can say that I am so happy my worst fears did not come true. I was wrong about what I was so worried about.
I'm 59 1/2, and while I don't feel old, I definitely feel OLDER than I was when I was younger. :)) And because I have aging parents with their health issues and frailty, I think about aging and how it will play out, often. Lots of people far wiser than I am will tell you that getting older is not for sissies. The indignity of it all!
My mind is going to this place because today we are celebrating Lou's mother's 95th birthday. I can't even imagine making it to 95? Maybe I will be wrong about that too? I am going to visit my dad in Pennsylvania next week and caregive for him because he is frail at 87 with health issues and chronic fatigue. He managed to beat pancreatic cancer over 7 years ago (miracle), but side effects of that treatment are no joke. No complainers here--just observers.
In a few weeks, I will be talking to the St. Paul Garden Club about functional fitness and how to make sure they can keep their gardening passion going--as long as possible--because that's what they love doing, and there are ways to do it through movement and mindset.
Whether you think about your own healthy aging or your parents' aging--I am going to challenge you to be wrong about it. I am going to challenge you to find something that makes you feel as vibrant and alive as it always did (my Orangetheory workouts) or gardening and see if you can be wrong too.
I am always in your corner cheering you on!
xo Coach Karen :))
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