Some people don’t like exercise, but some of us practically live for it, and retirement gives us the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities. I would give up writing and everything else just to focus on sports, but I don’t like putting all my eggs in one basket. I personally think it’s important for all of us to seek balance among creative, intellectual and physical pursuits. In my case, there may come a day when I can’t do all this stuff, and I’ll be grateful I can still put words together. And hopefully, you will be there to read them!
There’s no expiration date on fitness, although some things just don’t work like they used to. I wrote about running. I really saw myself as a runner, but within a few weeks, everything started hurting. It just wasn’t worth it to me, so I went back to walking and hiking.
I almost always walk when I play golf. Several of the women in my golf group are in their 80s. I played with an 85-year-old the other day, and she can hit the ball. She shot a 109, which is not great, but it’s probably what some of the men I play with would score if they actually kept score. There’s an 83-year-old who walks 18 holes with a pushcart.
The walker said she has aches and pains like everyone, but she just keeps going. She’s my inspiration! I want to be just as active in my 80s as I am today. Aside from physical ailments, I figure the biggest risk to my plan is drinking enough water. Staying properly hydrated is an ongoing challenge … and the more you drink, the more you pee, and that comes with its own set of problems.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll share that I haven’t had an accident yet, but I did buy bladder control pads for long walks and no restrooms. So far, I’ve just tried to make sure I’m completely empty when I go out and hope I make it back in time. I really don’t know what else to do.
Then there are the aches and pains. I keep moving, stretching and using my cannabis balm. I have not used CBD-only products, so I can’t say how they work. I make my balm from a strain of cannabis relatively high in CBD, so I suspect the results might be similar.
I use my homemade balm twice a day on various body parts. Sometimes I think, well, I’ll skip my knees because they don’t hurt right now. Then I think, well, maybe they don’t hurt right now because I use cannabis balm. I don’t skip my knees.
My back is a mess on the MRI, but it usually doesn’t hurt. I rub the cannabis balm up and down my spine as far as I can reach and along the hips where I sometimes have sciatic pain. I would swear in a court of law the cannabis balm is saving my back.
While I also use the balm for pain across my mastectomy scars, an interesting twist is the introduction of swimming. I swam laps years ago, but access to pools varied over multiple moves and demanding jobs. I used to be kind of a snob about swimming, like why bother unless the pool is Olympic size? Our pool is not big, but this year I decided 20 minutes of laps would not drive me too crazy.
I mean, there is some wall-bashing involved if I don’t pay attention, but I like it. I’ve noticed a big difference in my post-mastectomy pain. Maybe it’s helping my back, too. I just do the crawl – my competency in other strokes is nil. I originally was only going to swim in the summer, when I can use our pool, but now I’m thinking I will have to find an indoor pool for winter swimming. Swimming makes my body feel good, almost like it’s longer, leaner and stronger.
As you may know, I did not have reconstruction after my mastectomy. I’m flat with a few scars. I swim topless, which feels rather decadent to me. My own version of lemonade out of lemons. I suppose I would cover up if I head to a public pool. Of course, I would. Right?
My husband wasn’t even offered reconstruction. I’m betting nobody notices when he goes swimming, though. You might get a few looks if you choose to go topless, however.
I Googled male reconstruction, and it doesn’t seem right that it wasn’t offered to your husband. You’re right, though, no one would probably notice. I’m sure I’d get some looks.
I had a cervical fusion 15 years ago and have found swimming to be the best way to reduce pain and increase flexibility. I live in a climate where outdoor swimming only lasts three months, so I swim year round in an indoor pool at my gym. I recently had an accident that has curtailed all swimming until the wound heals, and it’s driving me crazy. It’s way too hot and humid here now to be walking outside for exercise, so as soon as enough healing has taken place, I’m going to start using the treadmill at the gym until I can get back into the pool. Unlike you, I’ve never been an athlete, so it’s surprising and wonderful to have finally gotten so attached to a sport.
Wow — I am so impressed you stuck with swimming after cervical fusion. I’m keeping this is in my head as inspiration to keep swimming. Thank you!
So good to read this optimistic blog post, Donna.
I’ve been absent for quite a while due to two surgeries (Osteoporis, broken bone).
Still weak an tired, I hope to get back to sports soon.
Oh, Barbara, I am so sorry to hear that, but I’m happy you are recovering. You know I’ve been through my share of shit — just be patient and good things will happen!
In my late 30’s early 40’s I was obsessed with swimming. I started out at a hotel pool that was heated in the winter. It was very small. Eventually, I outgrew it and joined a gym that had an outside Olympic pool that they actually heated in the winter. I loved swimming and got up to a daily 52 laps.
The pool eventually closed and I stopped swimming as the only other option and still is in Auburn is the rich club that has 2 pools but membership runs around a $100 a month. If they would only offer a swim only membership I would join in a flash. Now I just walk and go to the gym that has weights.(cost 12.95 a month). I would love to go back to swimming:)
Hi Christina — yes, finding a pool is always the problem. I haven’t started to look yet, since I can still use ours. I expect to be frustrated.
Hey DP.
One of the most frustrating things (for me) about retirement age is that you don’t really have to have a “direct cause” to discover issues as you get older. My X-rays on neck and lower back are ugly – yet never had a car accident, wasn’t a pro rodeo rider, no old sports injury, etc. My chiro is doing an excellent job via adjustments, decompression, and cold laser but my go-to is an organic Aloe Vera Spray gel. I wonder how that compares to you CBD
My wife has had “something” every 7-8 years, gets it fixed, wait for the next thing. Me, with really nothing wrong (thankful for that) and then all of a sudden there are bunch of things is an emotional WHOA!
We play pickle ball with a 90 year old guy and he can really still hammer the ball!
If it’s OK, I am going to send you an email with a photo of a “hole saw” bit so you you will have an easy solution next time you run into paint matching woes…
Hi Judson — thanks for visiting! So true about no direct cause. My husband’s back started causing him problems about a month ago — who knows why? I have not done the chiro thing yet. They sort of scare me, but I’m still willing to give it a go at some point. I do yoga-like stretches every day.
By all means, bring on the hole saw!