A slap in the face
the first half of this year, in addition to having my gall bladder out, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, had to get hearing aids due to a childhood hearing loss diagnosis worsening, and go back to glasses 24/7 when I haven’ done so since 14 or 15 -years old and childhood surgery made me farsighted. After learning that I need glasses again 24/7, I texted my mom the news and “I am not even 50 yet, really!” Aging slapped me in the face.
In my opinion, there are 3 types of aging people:
1. Deniers— they live their lives like they always have, ignoring what doctors say or what their bodies and minds are telling them.
2. Resignators— they live like they have been given a death sentence and upend their lives to live in a “woe is me” attitude.
3. Realists— they live their lives taking aging in stride and adjusting what they do accordingly
By the time I picked up my glasses I was somewhere between denier and regisgnator. More specifically, I was pissed. I knew my hearing and eyes would show their age, but I thought I would be eligible for social security by then. When I had my gall bladder out, the doctor told me that for 4-6 weeks I couldn’t pick up anything over 5 lbs. or do formal exercise. I listened. I became a realist— getting my daughter to move heavy things (I am still waiting for her to move the 28 lb. of dog food) and working my way back up to walking in the park. I, even, mimic some upper body exercises without weights to keep the muscles sharp.
I miss exercise (I had just started back with a great virtual fitness trainer/health coach). I sleep a lot as I am still recovering from surgery and having the wind knocked out of me with severe (understatement) abdominal pain. I limit the errands I run and even drive to the drugstore which is only a 10-minute walk from my house. I may not be 50 yet, but I have learned the importance of changing your lifestyle, even if temporary, to get yourself back to near-perfect health.
Once again, I am grateful to my mom and my daughter for taking care of me and making sure I am realist. So, if I can finish the post with anything, it is to encourage all of you as you age to be realists. I believe realists have more chance of living longer than deniers and resignators. Remember we only get one life and one body, so take care of them.