If it has not already happened to you, you need to get mentally prepared. At some point along your Encore Voyage this WILL happen to you. It will come as a shock. You will not expect it to happen. It will cause concern – nay, even some distress.
The events that happen occur at different ages, and under a wide variety of circumstances, but will look something like this:
You get down on the floor to fetch dog’s ball which has rolled under the sofa, and YOU CAN’T GET UP!
You do a modest amount of yard work, perhaps pulling weeds, and the next morning, your lower back screams, “WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE!?”
You are on a ski hill, all set to enjoy a beautiful run through the cedar trees, and suddenly, you’re sucking wind, and you find yourself thinking, “GOOD LORD, PLEASE LET ME MAKE IT TO THE LODGE!”
And you find yourself questioning life:
When did it happen that I can no longer do 10 pushups? Or 5…Or 1?
When did it become a problem to park too far away from an event?
When did it become impossible to stand on one foot to put on my jammies?
When did picking up a dropped item from the floor BECOME AN EVENT???
Sadly, this phenomenon happens to each of us eventually. And then, the real question becomes:
Yes, while we know that none of us gets out of this life alive, we have considerable control of how we react to the changes along the way. A brisk walk here, a yoga class there, and lots of healthy eating in the middle certainly will help to fend off at least a part of the aging process. Surely it must be helpful to attempt as many activities as possible that will help me to stay active, vibrant and healthy. A fellow blogger recently posted that
“Attitude is the difference
between an ordeal and an adventure.”
I, for one, am planning on fighting like crazy so that I can continue having adventures without too many ordeals! How about you??? Are you planning to Cowboy Up?
An Encore Voyage 
Amen! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this. It has already happened to me. I am so respectful of my back muscles now. ☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t you know it! I’ve taken up some yoga poses, just to make my back feel better! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love that attitude quote. Great post all round.
LikeLike
Couldn’t have said it any better Lynn! Nice to know I’m not alone in this! Every morning it seems there’s a different part of the body complaining!? When did this happen??…Dave
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seriously!!! When!!! I don’t know…
LikeLike
Ha ha, I have been there! I am still figuring out if I can ever kneel again with my new knee. Swimming still works though, and it is a good thing because I love it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
No bleedin’ for you! You go girl!!!
LikeLike
I’m doing the brisk walk here, a little yoga there plan right now. And it’s helping me with the getting out of bed without comment and timing shoelaces! I actually feel more fit than I have in years, probably because I’m doing more of the brisk walk and yoga than I have in years. Move it or lose it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m loving me some yoga right now, for the same reasons!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A can do attitude is a key to success.
I wanted to get back in shape, so I started to run. Even in the winter, when it was modestly freezing in the evening. I am happy I managed to do that. I am now a little fit, just in time for the garden work season.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My competitive tendencies cause me to do too much. Windsurfing season just began and I have to dial it back. I stay in shape so I can get punished out on the water since I still suck at it. But all the swimming after my gear after endless splashdowns burns a LOT of calories 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post and great comments! I am totally on Pat Doyle’s “move it or lose it” plan and so far it seems to be working…knock on knee!
Donna
retirementreflections.com
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree, staying in shape is a day to day endeavor. At our age you just have to face the fact that you cannot expect to be a weekend warrior anymore and use the extra time retirement has given us to find some form of daily exercise that we enjoy and DO IT.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amen, sister! The time to get in shape and eat right is well before you get into trouble. But, anytime is good too… we need to keep moving (and not toward the refrigerator). 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Been there done that! It’s amazing when the body won’t respond the way it used to, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah…but I’m fighting it!
LikeLike
What’s inspiring to me are the women in their 80’s taking classes at my Y. They are incredible–such role models
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep thinking I can age like that if I try! I agree! Such role models!
LikeLike