When I look back to my resolutions earlier this year, a few things hit me smack in the face. To you, my board of directors, a progress report. Not quite mid-year, but what’s a month between friends?
The first slide, in bullet points, reads:
Stalled
I have not yet donated the $1K to Dress For Success. I am trying to give appreciated securities and the administrative details have been tricky. I’m going to try again and I will succeed. After all, I promised. Nor have I started volunteering, in this case because I’ve occupied those planned time slots with working on a possible new company. (Details to follow once we know the outcome, no matter whether it’s a yay or a nay, I’ll report.)
As I plan to also tell you what I’ve done well, and give you some advice, that may be useful to know thatI’m better at taking care of myself and those near to me than taking care of the wide world.
Minor Progress
Where have I made a little progress? I figured out how to sell on eBay, theoretically, thanks to Alicia, and I’m halfway through photographing all 10 pairs of my daughter’s unused ballet shoes. (With time outs for creative fancy, as you can see above.) However, I’ve also figured out that to really succeed on eBay you have to establish trust. That’s a lot of work. So I may sell any notable clothes here on the blog, where I’ve staked my real claim to trustworthiness, and donate non-notable but good clothes to charity.
Back to the resolutions. I realized I didn’t want to write a book unless someone begged me. I would love to have written a book, and to be basking in the certain glory of wide readership (insert sarcasm icon), but I am too impatient for the long form and there we have it. Still to try, articles for print.
Major Progress
I’ve made lots of progress in terms of organization and house tasks. So much that I decided to redo our interiors, as you know, and blog about it. Which has helped me to keep writing, another resolution. In the interest of a complete my status report, I can confirm that I am taking care of my still-new husband.
The second slide, perhaps with visuals, reads,
Goal Achieved!
This is why we’re really here today, in the imaginary board room, lights dimmed and projector blaring. I did sign up for a personal trainer, and I did keep walking. I want to urge you all, if you don’t do it already, to start strength and flexibility training, and maybe spend some time in flat shoes.
I haven’t lost any weight, I don’t look much different in clothes, this isn’t about style. It’s about preparing to get older. From what I can see, old age in health has its joys. Old age in illness is very hard. I once wrote a post about laying the foundation for your 50s when you’re 20 or 30. As I’ve said, now I want to lay the foundation for my 80s, should I be so fortunate as to live that long.
I know that the last thing you need is another exhortation to exercise. So let me try to be specific. I spend 1 hour twice a week at the trainer’s. That’s it. After 6 months I’m stronger, more flexible, and far more happy in my body. My shoulder injury is pretty much rehabilitated, and old pains in my foot, ankle, and hip are lessening. I am far less stiff than I was.
No miracles. I’m still nigh-on 58. I should still work my heart rate harder. One can always do better. But boy do I feel good. And that was my over-arching goal. My thought is to learn this program so well, and become so habituated, that by the end of the year I can take it home. Or to a yoga studio, where I will no longer struggle in the poses.
What would you need, if you wanted to do this at home now? The time. A little space. And I think the following equipment would be enough. We could probably manage with nothing, but I find the props helpful for focus and even entertainment. I look really funny crab-walking with big rubber bands at my ankles.
- Some hand weights
(3lb, 5lb, and maybe a 10lb would probably be right for most of us)
- A foam roller
(amazing for loosening tight spots before a workout)
- A mat
(unless you don’t mind lying on the floor/rug)
- BOSU ball
(for balance exercises)
- Bands
And then you’d need guidance, of course, as I’ve needed the trainer. But there must be reputable books out there, or good YouTube videos. Maybe a reader has recommendations? If it would be helpful to hear about my sessions, feel free to email me or tell me in the comments and I’ll go into detail another day.
Getting my body back has been the single best thing about not working. And I could have done it previously if I’d only focused. Ah well, at least there’s now. There’s always now, until there isn’t any more.
Have a wonderful weekend.
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61 Responses
You look incredible, you shouldn’t even think of losing weight.
I loathe exercise but force myself to do it, am focusing on mobility for the future.
@Tabitha, Thank you T. I actually like exercise once I’m doing it, so thank goodness for small favors. I wanted to make sure I didn’t lead people on to thinking that what I’m doing was going to be very helpful in the looks department:).
I’m good with cardio, but your post is a reminder about the rest. Balance is so important as you age, and I need to get back to working on it, hence, back to yoga, or yoga balance poses at home.
We have an extra room that I’m thinking about converting to an exercise room, installing TRX bands, etc. Your post have given me some motivation about that.
Have you considered donating your daughter’s ballet shoes to an ballet studio for economically challenged kids? Unless it’s a designer piece, one makes so little money on Ebay that I’d almost always rather donate something so usable to others.
@kathy, We’re thinking about making one of the kids’ rooms into an exercise space too. And I’m going to give the money from the shoes to my daughter, a good cause;).
@kathy, I’m with you Kathy on having previously ignored weight training. Rediscovering home yoga practice too.
Lisa, bravo for another inspiring and real world post about health and fitness.
My PT sessions are gold for entertainment value too but they’re also paying off I’m terms of gaining upper body strength to wrangle that toddler.
SSG xxx
Toddler-wrangling, the sport of champions:).
@kathy, we turned an unused room into an exercise room. On cold and snowy days I am so grateful for it. Kind of fun to be walking on the treadmill while watching the snow come down.
That sounds wonderful.
How much time do you spend walking?
As to donating appreciated securities, some brokerages offer a product called a charitable trust, where you place the securities into an account, taking the full deduction in the year you make the deposit, and then you write checks out of that to bona fide charitable organizations. There can be minimums to establish the account, but if you have regular charitable deductions you know you’ll draw it down eventually. Getting a big deduction in one tax year can be a plus even if you dribble the donations out over several years. It’s a good move if you own securities that you aren’t exactly sure what their cost basis should be.
As to trainers – there are lots of DVDs out there. At the risk of dating myself terribly, Jane Fonda has some new ones that are not bad. When in doubt read the reviews on Amazon.
@RoseAG, On average, I take a walk of 12K steps once a week, and 2 others of around 8K steps once or twice a week. Not a lot. Oh, and I walk 10 minutes to the trainer and 10 minutes back twice a week too.
Your perspective on aging is so wise. I’m 44 but I’ve noticed a transition from the person who felt always 20 to someone who has to wear flat shoes much of the time, who recognizes that maintenance is really maintenance at a certain point. I have been a serious practitioner of yoga for 26 years and, when I was 18, I was taught by many women who are my current age, or older. I learned from years of being taught by those women that we must make the choice to preserve physical health through conscious, effortful movement.
@K-Line, I bow to you. That dedication to yoga is totally awesome.
This is awesome. Go, you! It resonates with me at the moment as well. Since getting pregnant (and getting a bit more energy back more recently) it’s felt *so* important to exercise regularly. And yes, a bit of that is trying to moderate my weight gain, which is at the upper end of normal despite my efforts. But mostly I feel like I need to get in training for late pregnancy, so that I can stay mobile and comfortable as long as possible, the marathon of labour, but especially, the long haul of looking after a little one. I feel like I’ll manage the intense newborn phase a lot better if I have reserves of strength and energy to call upon, and that’s what I think of myself building up now.
Here’s to a very fit and happy 30 years (at least) ahead of you. :)
@elle, That is definitely another time when you can read benefits from preparing early. Just as a reminder, I gained >50 pounds with each pregnancy. It came off, the babies got really fat and delicious, just seemed to be genetic destiny:).
@elle,
I really do think a lot of the weight gain is genetic destiny, because mine stayed at 25-30 lbs weather I ate a hot fudge sundae per day at age 26 or a grapefruit per day with my last one at age 38! But I will say that the baby weight melted off with breast-feeding and I felt ready to gently exercise at 6 weeks post-delivery.
I agree the best part about exercising more it how great you feel. I have been doing a combo of yoga, pilates and tennis. I haven’t lost any weight, but feel and look better.. I think I’m stuck at my current weight and will just hope to feel and be healthy I guess.
Maybe you’re at the right weight for you!
My aunt is in her early 80s and sees a trainer regularly. She is in good health, and wants to stay that way–and she said that her trainer said that the purpose of workouts in your 80s is to be able to get back up when you fall.
Ah, that’s a really good point.
What Tabitha said!! You look amazing so keep on doing whatever you’re doing. It’s working!
On my end, at age 50 and 11/12, I’m still hating excercise, but am always happy after I’m done. Maintenance indeed. I know that if I didn’t do yoga on a regular basis, I’d probably be in need of a walker by next year!
Thank you. And I can’t imagine you anything but vital.
Your thoughts on ageing is spot on and congratulations on exercising and staying in shape. If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything. I’ve gone to to the gym three days a week for years and feel so much better for it. Your body & your shape change as you age. I’m older than you are by almost fifteen years and realize that if you don’t keep in shape, you will pay the consequences later. Health is my number one priority. Keep up the good work Lisa.
Sam
3 days/week, and now you are in your 70s, right? A testimonial to the work you’ve put in.
I do have a suggestion for a book with an exercise program geared to balance and using all of your muscles. It has perhaps the worst title in the world: Four Way Burn,by Ralf Henning. I got it many years ago along with the soft medicine-type ball he sells after reading in our local paper about Bill Clinton having trained with him. Notwithstanding the awful title, it is a gradual program of exercises that really makes a difference in how your body feels. It won’t substitute for cardio, but it has been very helpful for me, particularly in helping me keep my sense of balance as I get older. (I’m trying to remember if I’ve mentioned this before – if so, apologies for the plug.)
No, I think this is new, and thank you very much.
I’m currently in the process of configuring my own health and fitness routine at 58 years of age. It’s a real challenge. I applaud your efforts and results.
And I yours.
I think this is the second time I’ve read a post of yours to find that it’s on the same topic that I have been playing around with; I started a blog post yesterday about fitness and being 50+. We must definitely be on the same wavelength.
When I retired in February 2013, I was all set to forge new fitness frontiers…ones that I didn’t have time to pursue when I was working. Some experiences were positive. I signed up for swimming lessons; I’m a terrible swimmer and love the ocean. I bought a new pair of skates for the first time since the 70’s and went skating with Hubby twice a week all winter…shakily at first and then a bit more confidently. Although I’m not nearly good enough or fast enough to get any cardio benefit from it yet. Some experiences were not positive. Yoga was a disaster. I tried classes,and even though it was a beginner class, there was little to no instruction in HOW to do stuff and as a result of trying some poses with a bit too much enthusiasm and really poor form…I did some damage to my hip. Yikes. Physio was my main occupation for a while. And I’m back now for more physio treatment after our canoe trip. Gad…it just keeps on getting tougher doesn’t it?
But my 87 year old mum still gets on her treadmill at least 3 times a week. I love it when I call her and she answers somewhat breathlessly and I can hear her Eddy Arnold CD blaring in the background. I know she’s been on the treadmill….and then I usually tell myself to just suck it up, stop complaining and keep moving.
@Sue B @highheelsinthewilderness.blogspot.ca,
I can totally relate, Sue B! I never expected to have multiple surgeries by the time I hit 50. I mean, no one, but NO ONE in my family had as much as a hang nail before me!
But yoga didn’t work for me, either. My doc recommends walking, and i like to move out, so I’m ready to go! A little PT for the herniated discs, and I’m ok. But, Lisa, et al, you’re so right…it’s maintenance. And an insurance policy of sorts for the future.
Wow, this post resonated with me in a completely different way than just about everyone else. Its great to take care of yourself, and to organize and make your home a better fit for this stage of your life, and of course, you must care for your still-new husband, but as a “member of your board”, I have to say that your retirement seems to be a lot about doing a better job of caring for yourself (which is good), and that you have fallen down in the part about reaching out and caring for others. A lot of excuses, says one WASP to another.
So as a quick first step, I would say to skip selling your unused/wanted possessions on EBay, and would agree with Kathy that there is usually a good place to donate almost everything. I have moved twice in the past year, at the age of 67, and drastically reduced the amount of “stuff” in my life in the process. In the course of that we made gifts in kind to Habitat for Humanity, The Textile Center of Minnesota, the usual Salvation Army/Goodwill places. We donated unused bikes, ski equipment, tennis rackets , even a piano, to appropriate organizations for disadvantaged youth, etc,, etc. It took a little bit of time to locate the right resources, but the total donation amount was surprisingly large, and the time saved was much less than dealing with Ebay. (And yes we took the tax education; the IRS is not one of my charities)
Of course I wish you luck with a new business venture, but I have to say, the part of the plan you didn’t get to is deserving of your time and energy as well. Enough said.
I had thought I made it clear in the post, that I am making no excuses for my stalling, just telling it as it is and hoping to be useful anyway? I acknowledge my priorities, and middling virtue, for better or worse. Also thought I had made it clear that I had decided not to sell my clothing on eBay, that if I sell any of the notable clothes I’ll do it here, and the rest I will donate. The ballet shoes, by the way, aren’t mine, but my daughter’s, and she’s a medical student paying her own way:). Perhaps I was not clear, or perhaps you simply thought my remarks insufficiently self-critical?
@Ellen,
Not to belabour the point…but the IRS (or in Canada we call it Canada Revenue Agency)is NOT a charity. It’s what pays for our roads and bridges and, at least north of the border, our hospitals and schools. Wasn’t it Oliver Wendell Holmes who said…”I don’t mind paying taxes, with them I buy civilization.” Nuff said.
I pay my taxes enthusiastically.I am happy to pay for the good of all.
Hmm….@Ellen, I always find that it is best not to guess at another person’s motives, reasons, or day to day life configuration if I don’t wish to hurt someone. I have had the intention of volunteering at a women’s shelter, but I ended a winter of continuing bouts of clinical depression with a severely herniated disc…[toss in a little dash of depression here]. By all visual standards, I appear fine, but if you looked at my MRI, or at my tear-stained pillow, or the anti-depressants in my cupboard, you’d see what’s behind my public facade.
I’m not suggesting that this is Lisa’s MO, but rather that she is newly retired, newly wed, with a daughter in med school, and a possible business venture on the table. A full life, by anyone’s standards. I don’t have access to her checkbook, but I’m assuming, given the gratitude she exemplifies, that she is a generous person in all facets of her life.
So, perhaps, hold that thought for awhile, and give Lisa a chance to get there. Even WASPs are human.
I know you have really gone through it. I hope it gets better soon. In my case, right now there’s no hidden sorrows or burdens, beyond the usual. Not to say there haven’t been, in the past. I acknowledge that I could be more supportive of more universal causes. My generosity does tend to stay in the realm of my near and dear, and wherever possible, here on the blog. Even my donations have been to causes I’m connected to. On the other hand, I’m good at presents, I watch out for the earth’s health, and I try to be good at not being a jerk. My family, however, is extremely committed to the wider good. Both my parents have been very philanthropically active, and my siblings have all dedicated their careers to the public good – education, mental health, social welfare. I could clearly do better at giving, but then I might just become more of a jerk:). I’m not sure. Thanks for chiming in. In any case, I believe authentic communication is rarely wrong, and I thank Ellen for speaking her mind.
I’m inspired by your effort to workout ~ I fell off the wagon during my vacation and have been finding it difficult to get back with it. The roller bar is my favorite thing about exercise!
I tried a workout the other day with traditional stretches and WAY more stiff after!
Do lift and wave those weights, ladies! I’m an earlier model than Lisa and many commenters — and constructed by my Creator more along the model lines of a corgi than a greyhound. Nevertheless, I’ve continued to practice the meditation and martial arts routines of my 60s youth. The payoff has been an ability to use crutches. ?!
A few years back, I injured a knee. The ortho doctor took me off my feet and put the leg in a brace, with less than satisfactory results. Last week, I injured the other knee but this time I insisted on full two-way communication with the medical men. I learned that the reason women my age are condemned to crippling inactivity and braces is most of them lack the upper body strength to use crutches! I can do it, I did it, and now I’m walking again. (OK, with a slight limp, but…)
I love this. We can’t always know what we are preparing for. Get well soon!
I’d love to buy a pair of the unused ballet slippers for decor — and possibly dress up….email me.
Lisa, It is all about strengthening and that confidence accompanying it!Even with a little extra weight, when I am sure of my abilities and healthier it really does radiate. (another hip replacement on the 13th, so send lots of bright white light for healing and rehab!)
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Sending so much bright light. All the best.
Being a big fan of the bands, would LOVE details! Videos perhaps? (Just kidding ;)
Hahahahaha.Sidestepping squats, baby, sidestepping:). Length of the little gym, four times each session.
First of all, I apologize for putting a hornets nest on your blog, that was not my intention, and I dislike it when others do that. Secondly, my comment was only about the status report that Lisa put out there about herself, for comment, and in no way should be construed to include anyone else. If anyone was hurt by that, I am also sorry.
Secondly, in no way am I trying to avoid taxes, which I pay promptly and without complaint. However, since this is a country that chooses, by its tax structure, not to subsidize the arts, charities for homeless people, battered women, etc, etc, but provides an incentive for doing so on a personal basis by incentivizing us through the tax structure, I take advantage of legal donations, as I believe most people do. I’m not talking about the $5 that I might hand to a homeless person standiong on the street corner, but rather, gifts in kind that added up to several thousand dollars, and served charities that I feel good about serving. My whole professional career was spent as an (underpaid) social worker, and I worked quite a bit with grant giving organizations, both as a recipient (to fund new initiatives) and with the development end of things, so I am very aware of how important this is to the survival of both the organization and the recipients of their efforts. And I am a boots on the ground volunteer as well. If I am guilty of anything, it is of passionate promotion, not of shirking taxes.
And finally, lacking role models of successful aging in my own family (where everyone gets Alzheimers), I have spent a lot of time observing and learning from the wisdom of those older than I who are doing it well. Open dialogue about this has been of tremendous help to me, but if I overstepped within this forum, I again apologize. I’ll be quiet now.
Oh, don’t be quiet! I appreciate all your comments, and our shared background. Passionate promotion is always that, passionate. It is true that this community of readers is super supportive to me, and I value that highly. But we also value civil, open, heartfelt discussion. I have found that it’s very easy to offend and take offense online, when none is meant, and I make special efforts to manage the conversations here to compensate. Thank you again for speaking up. I only take umbrage when I feel people speak to hurt, or to stir up argument for the sake of it.
I’m way out here in the rural midwest but I thought I’d at least chime in with this…..
http://www.ancientyogainstitute.com/
I’m going to her sessions – started this summer. She’s doing something a bit different I think. The thing I love most is the class is all us older ladies and we are all encouraged to just do what feels right. There’s no level of competition or showmanship. No fancy yoga wear, etc. And, I’ve realized lately that it’s Patty’s voice that makes me feel SO much better. In class, I would say we go a bit slower than the DVD even. We s-t-r-e-t-c-h and breathe and then she says “and more” and we stretch out that last little bit further. My breathing gets aligned right and it will stay for a few days. It’s made a huge difference in my overall health (and especially mental health).
I’ve subscribed to her YouTube channel! I feel like yoga once or twice a week would be the next step for me, and a critical one. Hey, rural midwest represent:).
Inspiring … well done on what you have gotten right, and you still have lots of time to work on the stalled items!
Thank you! I like your optimism!
That company thing sounds intriguing! I’m curious …
As to exercise, well, you’re so right. I’ve started walking at least either to or from work which is 40 minutes, if I choose, uphill. Torture, and when I’m there, pride and a calmer mind throughout the day.
But it’s only possible now that a couple of major family crises have been mastered. Before, the time slots would have been there but I would have had a hard time making the decision to really get started. I hope to get to where it’s really a no-brainer to just do the exercise without even considering any alternative. We should all start and prepare for our 80s, great idea.
Glad that the family crises are managed. And sorry to be mysterious about the company, I’ll tell you all about it, whether it goes or not:).
I must say you look trim and fit and look like you have strength as opposed to forced slimness which is something I don’t aspire to as they refer to that condition as skinny fat when you look slim but are in fact body percentage high. I am starting a new regime too. I want to age well and be strong. It isn’t just about aesthetics is it?
Yes, skinny fat is no use at all in the long run.
I liked reading your goals. Made me aware I make none, perhaps not to disappoint. I actually sat on the floor next to my Pilates reformer today. We are making friends again, very slowly. I hope to sit on it tomorrow but that may be too forward. Why is this so hard?
Love the ballet shoes. :)
I like your progress report and your goals. Reminds me that mine need updating. Movement is so important. I’m doing really well with walking and am starting to get back to stretching and some weight work, not for any purpose other than just living well in my body. But that is enough.
Good for you! I didn’t lose one lb. years ago of the 70 extra I was carrying at the time until I paid an out-of-work $15/hr. to come to my door 3X/wk., ring the bell @ 9AM, wait until I got on my shorts & trainers (5 mins.) so we could trot out the front door to the park 3 blks. away where she put me through me paces for about 45 mins. She had me run for awhile, she took my heart rate to be sure I was not overdoing it, I’d run until she said STOP! and then walked for while, repeat as necessary. At home, we stretched w/ bands, I did not buy weights at first. I didn’t think I wanted more unused gym equipment clogging up the garage and used a can of soup on each hand (~ 1#). It took about 15 mos. of losing not much weight per week but I got it all off and have stayed there since. I also bought a good scale & learned what a portion of protein looked like so eventually I could do it myself, then sold it.
Funny, but I have been learning ebay over the last month as a buyer. I don’t like it too much especially their sister company, PayPal but one has to do biz with PP if one expects to buy on ebay. I bought on Etsy for the last year & must say I prefer the sellers there. I made many good friends. Some women even sent little gifts in with my purchases. On ebay, the Feedback game is played seriously but it’s caveat emptor all the way! A 99.7% feedback rating means little when the Seller has done 20M transactions: one must read all the negative ones to get an idea who to stay away from. I, like you, am interested in ridding our home of all but the essentials and making life more manageable in the present tense. We also need to keep investing for the future as years of chronic illness did not allow us to put much aside and now it’s time to play catch-up ball in a very serious way. All was well until the FL real estate crisis of ’05 but it took the wind out of our sails and several $100K with it in the form of a short sale.
Oh! What did she say? Was she talking about money? Yes, she was. Now she will leave to hang her head in shame and be violently ill (much more privately).
We’re all talking money these days! And I wish you continued upward trend with health and hearth.
I applaud your work on your physical self; it’s so hard to prioritize. It made me smile because *I* just signed up with a trainer, and am going 2x a week (all I can afford) while trying to go for a third hour on my own. I also walk, an hour or so twice a week and lesser amounts the other days. I was exasperated with myself for needing to get the trainer, embarrassed that I couldn’t successfully go to the gym on my own — but he works me so much harder than I would on my own that I have decided the expense is worth it for now. Brava for persisting!
It’s so hard for me to get started but I bought a CD of stretching just to get moving. Small steps. Here’s wishing everyone good luck with their goals!
Happy New Year, my friend! xoxo
Happy New Year, my friend<3
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