Seniors tend to find themselves in one of three categories. Group one is those who have felt “poorly” for so long that they have forgotten what it is like to feel good. You know who they are.
Group two are those who have been in reasonably good health all their lives and are hoping Mother Nature will continue to be kind. You know who they are, but do you think that will be enough? Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn’t.
Group three is the smallest group. These are the people who have been conscientious about their health all along. They like the way they feel after a good run, and they will do whatever it takes to keep on going.
Ageing happens. People spend entire lifetimes trying to speed it up or slow it down, but ageing cannot be influenced. It’s like a freight train that isn’t going to stop until it either reaches its destination or crashes and burns along the way.
The good news is that the concept of “old” is changing. Studies show that you can influence how you are going to age if you are willing to do the work. Yikes! You are retired now, and “work” isn’t what you had in mind, but think about it, what else have you got to do?
You will notice that researchers stress the word “can” instead of “will,” because nothing is a given. Regardless, you can give it your best shot. Be positive. Stop thinking of yourself as “old” just because you have reached a few meaningless milestones. If you feel old at 50 there really is something wrong with you.
Okay, you have been to the doctor and now have some idea of what is wrong, or right, about you. Some things can be fixed (a new knee, a bunionectomy, or just special shoes) but dreaded words like hydration, nutrition, and exercise loom large.
If you haven’t been in category three all along it may seem daunting, but “feeling good” and “independent living” are great motivators.
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