Looking back, it’s been several years since I did a post about aging, fitness, working out, health issues, etc. so today I’m going to catch up with all of that. I’m older now than I was when I first shared about working out at the gym and trying to stay healthy, aging as gracefully as possible. This working out post is 10 years old now, but I still do a similar routine that I did back then. Go back and read that if you want to read more about what all I do at the gym.
I’ve been working out since I turned 25, so that’s over 40 years now. I’m now 66 and time is flying! I’m sure you feel the same way if you are a Boomer like I am. Where has the time gone? I think I lamented that 10 years ago and here I am further down the road. I used to think about how I would be when I reached this age. Years ago, I thought ahead and wondered what shape I’d be in when I reached my 60’s and 70’s. It’s not a fun thing to think about, but we all get there eventually if we’re blessed with long life.
So today, I’m going to just do a little recap on what I’m doing now for fitness, how I’m trying to stay active and in shape, as well as some health discussions and general aging talk. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Ha! I hope you enjoy.
Going to the Gym
I still go to the gym 3 times a week, when time permits and nothing gets in the way and I usually make that most weeks.
I’m still doing a few arm exercises and legs too. I do a routine of 20 lb. bar and 3 sets of biceps and also overhead chest press with the bar. I do a few squats and some machines for legs. I’m not as hardcore as I was 20 years ago on working out and lifting heavier weights. I just stick with some basics now to keep myself toned. I still love toned arms, but mine are aging too. The crepey skin is a real thing and now I see that happening on my arms in the last few years. Not fun at all, but it’s life! It won’t stop me from wearing sleeveless clothes, that’s for sure. I’ve been fortunate to be able to work out all my life, I know. Since I didn’t have children to raise, this has been my hobby.
For the record, I’ve lost over an inch in height. I used to be 5’8″ tall and now I might be 5’6.5″. I weigh around 126 now, which is a little thinner than I used to be. That’s also made me more short waisted, which I don’t like. I don’t eat quite as much as I used to. I could pack away the food when I was in my 30’s and 40’s. A guy I worked with back in the 90’s said I ate like a field hand! I probably did! I could put it away. I have never been overweight and the most I’ve ever weighed is 140, which was when I worked out with heavier weights and had more muscle mass. When people ask me how I stay thin, I tell them I’ve been working out for over 40 years and that has kept my metabolism higher. That’s my best explanation for not having to worry about weight.
I use a 5 lb. weight for tricep curls and do those every time I go to the gym. I made sure no faces are in the pics for privacy.
I do a couple of leg machines, like this quad machine. Helps to strengthen the quads and legs in general.
This is a back lat pull machine, which hits the back muscles. I really want to stay strong and keep my muscles toned, so this is a basic weight routine that I do to keep that going. My parents really made aging seem so easy. I know my mom has always said she didn’t really have any aches and pains to speak of until she hit her 80’s.
Oh, I wish I could say that! I cannot. I definitely have aches and pains a lot. My lower back problems are always around, as well as hip issues. My sister had both her hips replaced in the last few years and I’m afraid I might get there one day too. It’s not bad enough yet, but it’s definitely something I’d do if the pain gets worse and worse.
I ride a recumbent bike for 30 minutes when I go to the gym. I try to do something active at least 3 to 4 times a week and most of the time, I make that. Ideally we should all be doing something most everyday, but as you know that’s hard to do.
I do projects and work around here, but I definitely pace myself. My stamina is not what it used to be so if I’m outside working in the heat, I’ll work in short spurts to be able to do it. I take plenty of breaks and don’t kill myself, but I still get things done that I need to get done.
I do know that the more we move, the better off we are. If you sit down and get too idle, you lose so much strength and stamina. I learned this from my parents for sure. My mom was always working outside and doing things around the house. My dad mowed the grass, but she was the finishing touch lady with her blower and weed eater, going around the yard making it look better. She did that all the way into her late 80’s. They are remarkable in their health and the shoes are hard to fill! I have no idea what kind of shape I’ll be in by the time I get to late 80’s or 90. I’m hoping I hang in there, but my body does rebel at times.
Walking and Riding Bikes
Mark and I have made a habit of walking in the cooler months and riding bikes when weather permits. We rode a lot back in 2020 and then took a break, but this year we’re getting our bikes back out and riding around town. We try to go at least once or twice a week. We go early in the morning around 8 a.m. before it gets too hot and it’s great! Once I’m out the door and on the bike, whizzing around our little town, it’s such a great way to start the day.
We both have nice 7 speed bikes to ride and it’s so fun to bounce around town on our bikes. We are one mile from downtown Acworth, so we come out of our neighborhood and ride downtown, go down in the historic district and ride around the lake.
Our cute town of Acworth, GA !
Lake Acworth is so peaceful in the morning and it’s a great way to start the day. Nothing better!
It’s usually pretty quiet out there in the morning, with a few people out walking dogs and getting exercise. There’s so much pretty scenery around town, so we see it all. The cute downtown, historic district with cute houses, the lake, neighborhoods, Logan Farm Park and then back to our area, where we ride by Liberty Cemetery and then back home. We usually log about 7 miles or so. It’s so fun and I can ride much further than I can walk without it hurting my hips. If I walk too far, I really feel it.
On Health
I’ve talked a bit about health issues over the year, so I’ll catch up on that topic too. I am currently on 2 medications. A low dose for high blood pressure and one for hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in my mid-fifties and finally went on medication for that. You would think all the working out I’ve done all these years would take care of that, but no it didn’t. My thyroid went out about 6 years ago. I don’t like taking meds, but I do it for those.
My back and hips are other issues I deal with, as I mentioned. My back issues started when I turned 40, but I didn’t let it slow me down. I had to initially go to physical therapy to get past some of the pain after I was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. Somewhere along the way in my early 50’s, my hips also started giving me fits. I take Tumeric for joints and that has helped some. I deal with the pain and keep going, but I’m always aware of it. My dad had back surgery when he was around 70 and it really helped him, so maybe the back issues are from him. Mom never had severe joint and back issues until she got way older and now her spine has really deteriorated. She has pretty severe arthritis in her hands and I’m heading there myself. My knuckles are getting knotty already.
See don’t you feel better about yourself already? We never know what our lot will be, do we?
Mark turns 70 this year and is on no medications, so I’m a little jealous of that. Mine are hereditary and I seem to have everything my mom has. I also have high cholesterol and my PC doctor has been urging me to get on statins, but I’m saying no for now. I just don’t want to take those and I’ve done some reading on them and am convinced they are not the answer, so I’ll continue to say no. I’ve heard too many bad things about the side effects on other organs of the body. I’ll be honest here. With all that happened in 2020, I don’t have nearly as much trust in our health professionals as I used to. I’ll just leave that right there and you can surmise what you want. We never got those shots and will never do it. We didn’t trust them and looking back, it was the best decision we could have made. I know that statement really ruffled some feathers when I said it back in my last blogging post. I haven’t changed my stance on that one iota.
I really try to eat a fairly healthy and balanced diet so I will continue to do that. I’m not real strict on things, but I make an effort to eat healthy most of the time. Sweets are the downfall for both Mark and me. We both got our sweet tooths from our dads. My dad has been eating sweets every day of his life and is 96, so that’s something to consider. I don’t beat myself up over the love of sweets.
On Hair and Plastic Surgery
I think I’ve mentioned sometime in the past that I doubt I’ll ever do any invasive plastic surgery, botox, fillers, etc. It’s just not my thing. I’ve read discussions from men who wonder why women do these things to themselves and I have to agree. They seem to really hate the big lip trend. I can’t imagine having my face cut, nor getting fillers for years trying to stay young. It’s just not going to happen. Besides, Mark makes such fun of women who have had plastic surgery. Not to their faces of course. But to me. He really can’t stand plastic faces and those big blown up lips, so I sure don’t need to do it for him. No thanks, I think I’ll just stay the way I am, wrinkles, sagging and all. Unless someone has a really good surgeon, you can most always spot plastic surgery a mile away. Just look at all the Hollywood actresses who have ruined their faces.
I have lost a good amount of hair though and that makes me sad. I had so much hair in my youth, but it’s falling out around my face hairline and I hate that. But some of my friends are going through the same thing, so I know I’m not alone. I’m just glad I had extra to begin with. It’s probably from my thyroid going wacky and menopause.
On Cataracts
I think I recently mentioned that I’m in line for cataract surgery soon (I hope!). After we got back from our cruise, my hard lens (gas perm) contacts were really bothering me, so as soon as we got back I went to get my eyes checked and I was going to order new contact lens since it had been a long while for that. Hard lens last for years without having to be replaced. So when I went for my exam, he told me that I was on the edge of needing cataract surgery and I could go ahead and do it if I chose. Yes, I said! Let’s do it. So I got an appointment set up and I go next week for my consultation.
I’ve been in my glasses since we got back from the cruise, so I’m hoping when I go for my appointment that it’s been long enough. I heard the eyeball has to go back to the original shape before they can do surgery and that takes awhile if you’ve been wearing contacts for years like I have. Nearly 50 for me! I’ll be so glad to get rid of my contacts and glasses and I will probably do the upgrade which hopefully will give me no glasses at all, even reading glasses. I’ll find out more next week when I go in. I’ll definitely keep you posted on my experience and procedures when I finish this process.
So that’s an update on all things fitness and health. It’s so weird that as we age, we are all talking about health related things now. When we were all younger, it wasn’t an issue, but now it is. I dread getting even older, when the topic of conversation then goes to bowel movements! Ask me how I know these things. Seniors, they like to talk bowel movements.
All in all, I’m glad to still be in good health and hanging in there! I know you are too. Health issues can be so daunting and discouraging. We sure can’t take our health for granted. I’m so grateful that I’ve been blessed with decent health and I really want to take care of my body as much as I can so it can see me through my 70’s and beyond. So many people go through such horrific health issues and but for the grace of God, go I. I’m thankful and grateful for all the many blessings health wise He has bestowed on me and Mark. I’ll continue to work out and stay active as long as I possibly can. My parents didn’t go to the gym, but they sure stayed active.
That’s the key, I think! I’ve always said that. Keep moving and keep the body in motion. It might hurt sometimes and ache, but that’s the key to aging gracefully, I think. We only have one body given to us, so we have to take care of it and do what we can to keep it going and healthy. Here’s to enduring good health!
Feel free to chime in! I love to hear from you all and read your comments.
I didn’t realize you lived in Acworth. I am here too. 😃. I appreciated reading your post about health and working out. I am still getting six days a week in, but I am getting more aches and pains so definitely having to listen to my body. My goal is to age gracefully and appreciate the good health that God has given me this far. Have a blessed day!
Hey Mary, thanks for chiming in. I need to email you and chat!
My husband just completed cararact surgery and it went fine…not much pain afterwards either. Get ready for a lot of eye drops to prevent infection….before and afterwards. 140 total for both eyes! Good luck! His vision improved sooo much!
So glad to hear that!
Hi Rho,
You know that I always think that you look beautiful. We have known each other for a long time and your workout routines have always been an inspiration.
Now that I am retired I workout so much more than I used to. I walk every day at least 2 miles and I love my Pilates class. I am 74 and hubby is 82. We try to stay as fit as we can.
I had c-dif back in 2006 so my nemesis is my gut issues. I have had all types of degrading test trying to figure out how to combat this issue. I did rule out everything that I “don’t have” so I go to an amazing holistic provider near my home here in Texas. She has helped me the most. I still can’t eat wheat, dairy or sugar. I stay away from these foods and take the supplements that she prescribes for me. I am 90% better than I have been in years. I did break down and take 1/2 of the dosage for the statin because I do not want to have a stroke. I fought it for years!
You know our feeling about the shots. You are aware that I almost lost Paul last year to pneumonia cause by Covid. After 47 days in the hospital, 28 of those in ICU, having to learn to walk again on a walker, staying on a concentrator and oxygen until September. Every doctor and rehab that he was in said that those shots should have kept him from being so sick for that period of time. There will be no more shots or boosters for this couple!!!
Judy, you look great my friend! We are all in this together. I’m so glad Paul came through that trying health scare and you still have him. I admire you for staying active too, we have to keep moving.
Hi Rhoda……This is one thing I have been wondering about. The arms. I started at the
Miss. College/ Baptist Healthplex here which is the best gym around and was with a trainer for awhile building muscle to keep bone since I wasn’t thrilled with my bone density test & I wasn’t gonna wait around for it to disappear & get frail since petite. That was in December and my shoulders have widened and arms are better – 2 classes of Pure Strength a week and one day of machines . I just wondered if skinny arms ever tighten completely up or I need to eat more & get fatter. My arms & shoulders do look so much better since my trainer is the Class instructor of Pure Strength Class and she kills us on Tues. & Thursdays plus mat exercises for core and legs. Like you I have had no problems with weight , always petite and small framed. Please give me any tips or advice on this. Oh, cataract surgery you will do is a breeze. Best thing ever!!! I did the mono vision and loved it since I wore contacts in that manner. I don’t even need glasses for close up vision and night vision is awesome driving. Good luck!!
Thank you, Bonnie, you have always looked so great yourself! Keep doing what you’re doing on your arms. Arms have always been my thing and I’ve worked them for years to keep them toned. But now the skin is getting looser and there’s nothing I can do about that! Just keep doing it and you’ll feel better and get stronger.
Rhoda , thanks so much for the arm advice. You will always be a beauty inside and out!!!!
Rhoda all I can say is thank you! This was an encouraging and honest post and I so thank you for that. I, like you, are facing some of these same things and think a lot about how to take care of myself and David so we can have a fruitful life in our older years. You are and always have been an inspiration! By the way, you look GREAT!
Thank you, Andrea! Miss seeing you!
Appreciated reading this. You are always an encourager to me, no matter what the topic. I am 60, so right behind you. 🙂
NO statin drugs! too many negative side effect.
I didn’t take any CCP flu shots either.
Just my opinion.
I agree, Glenda, in fact I won’t do any shots at this time. I even heard of people getting shingles shots and still getting shingles. I’ve already had it so I’ll take my chances on that too. I’ve never had a flu shot but can’t even remember the last time I was sick with flu symptoms. I usually only get colds and that’s about it.
This was such a honest article. Thank you. You and your husband have great smiles and you use them. That is what makes you look great. Joy is attractive and beautiful. Accepting age with inner joy is the way to go and I pray that for you to continue. Also, a doctor recently repeated “motion is lotion” barring real pain this is so true. Your words were honest but I hear the gratitude and gratitude is the fuel for joy. Thanks for sharing because we all need to be reminded of our blessings. Getting old is a privilege not given to everyone! God bless you both.
Thank you Josee, it sure is a privilege and blessing! We can’t take it for granted.
You are beautiful inside and out! I agree with everything you said. We have to keep moving and staying involved in life. Do what you can even if if hurts a little( or much). I am still working as an RN in a local hospital. I have cut back to 2 12 hr shifts just this past year. I don’t plan to retire at this time, because I love what I am called to do. I am 66 yrs old and feel I still have much to give not just to my patients but to the younger nurses.
HI, Debi, that is great! I am not cut out to be a nurse, but I admire those of you who are.
Thank you for sharing your routines and honest advice for us Boomers! You ought to hear all the “wrong” things I’m eating when the California son visits! Old habits die hard! You and Mark look great and I’m glad you’re feeling good. I’m going to have another cup of coffee now, with my Powdered creamer, in homage to my CA son!
Hey Jan, I love it! I know, we can’t do it all right, can we? I use those syrups in my coffee and love them.
I turn 60 on July 29th and I it’s hitting me hard! Where did the time go?? Lol. My doctor says stay lean and keep moving, so I try to do something every day and am lifting heavier weights to stay strong. I think after the shenanigans and lies of the last 3 years, lots of us are on the same anti-Pharma bus! Stay healthy and hopefully we see more posts of you and Mark travelling and exploring the world together!
HI, Julia, good for you! And yes, we have more travel plans this year and I’ll share it all. Got to go while we can still go.
This is such a great post and so honest, which we don’t see enough of these days. I’m going to tell you about my cataract surgery. I go in every year for an annual eye exam, about three years ago my eye doctor told me I am looking at cataract surgery, but I said no I’ll wait.
Then the next year, two years ago, she said, Rhoda, if you don’t have cataract surgery you will loose your drivers license.
I said okay, went to a specialist, awesome folks, turns out that I don’t have any of the four eye deceases that comes with age, but he said on a scale of one to four fir cataracts you are a three! The surgery costs me because I chose to get the multi lense, which Medicare doesn’t cover.
Ladies, I couldn’t believe how much better my sight was. I’ve worn glasses since I was 21, and now at 76, I see so well. Just a personal recount in case you decide to have the surgery. You will be amazed!
Hi my fellow Rhoda-girl! I’m so glad to hear your cataract story. I’m hoping for the same for me. I was eager to get it going and can’t wait to get out of my contacts and glasses. I’ll probably do the upgrade too if they say it will all work for me.
You’re an inspiration. We are in our early 70s and bought a 3 story house 2 years ago. People thought we were crazy. I have a weighted vest and go up and down the stairs. I hate the gym but we have a little workout room and I make good use of it 4-5 times a weeks, I think of Rhoda when I do it.
The other day we went on a jet boat cruise with 6 other couples and it was frightening what a hard time my fellow travelers, especially the women, had with any steps at all.
One thing, when you see people eating or not eating something, for heavens sake, do not comment! I’m having some GI distress and someone
always has to say “no salad?” or “no dessert?” Please. Just look away.
I worked as a nurse 42 years and no statins. They don’t even think cholesterol is exactly related to heart disease anymore. Get your shingles vaccine. And I totally agree with your stance on the recent gene therapy.
Hi, Nancy, I loved your thoughts, thanks for chiming in. I hear you, our fellow Boomers need to stay moving or it will be the end of them. And yes on the eating part. I sure don’t want anyone judging me for how I eat.
Good post. I agree with quite a bit of your thoughts and some I don’t agree with, but when you mentioned losing height and becoming ‘short waisted’ I really paid attention….it’s absolutely true!! And the reason some clothing no longer fits well or looks good. It really affects the way some pants fit me…high waisted pants just no longer work well and pieces that should sit at the natural waist are a problem. Do you have any ideas or thoughts on ways to work around the short waisted figure? Hate to tell you this but it gets worse. Some styles just don’t work anymore for just this reason. Best Wishes.
Hi, Dee, no I don’t have answers on that. Luckily I still have good height, so it’s not so obvious yet, but I can see it getting worse. My poor mama really lost her waistline and it’s so sad. I sure don’t want that to happen to me, but it might. I wouldn’t even try to wear high waisted anything anymore.
Hi Rhoda. I agree that we have to keep moving! I walk with a friend once a week for a walk and talk and that is our mantra. I started at the gym 3 days a week about 5 years ago. it sure has helped keep me toned as I age. Don’t like everything about the aging process,but I live in gratefulness to God that I can be active and do these things, especially travel with my husband. I am 65 and he is also going to be 70 this year. I keep telling him that I can’t believe thatI am going to be married to a 70 year old man!
I know, right? I can’t believe the numbers either. I used to think it was ancient and now here I am.
Hey Rhoda you are beautiful! do you do collagen and also Alpha skin care lotion with glycolic acid seemed to help my arm crepiness. I’m sure working out would further help. Need to get on that route myself!
HI, Ellie, thanks so much. I do use skin care products, but I am still not sold on any particular one. I think I’m going to start using Retinol again. I see ladies that have great results with just that and a few products. If I used a good firming lotion, that would probably help. I’m bad about not using it all the time.
I suffered with my left hip for 8 years and finally broke down and had it replaced 4 years ago. I should have saved myself years of pain and done it sooner. I went to Dr. Riddle at Georgia Bone and Joint up in Cartersville. I highly recommend him.I also used their PT department. He is also a Christian. I had NO pain after my surgery. It is wonderful. I also wore hard, not gas permeable, contacts for 50 years. I had to be out of my contacts for about 3 or 4 weeks before my eye shape quit changing. That was tough.
Thanks Pam, for the info. My pain is not so bad it’s debilitating yet (like it was for my sister), but I will definitely keep your recommendations in mind as I move forward. I probably need to get another scan done to see how bad it is now. If I’m going to do it, sooner rather than later is better I’m sure.
my status is a lot like yours, Rhoda. my height has shrunk almost 2″ – I’m 5’3″ and 110#. I also take meds for HBP and hypothyroidism. I walk 3 mi every day, garden, and move furniture in the antique mall regularly (and clean my own house) as exercise. I have had a bad back since age 14, and just pray it will serve me to my end of life without surgery. Sweets are our downfall also, ohmygoah. I will say, though, Mr P is far worse than I am, lol.
Good update and inspirational. you look terrific.
Hi Rita, we are sure all in the same boat, aren’t we? Sounds like you do a lot to keep moving too. I hear you on the sweets. Mark is probably worse but I’m pretty bad too.
Hey there,
I always enjoy your posts! No one in my house had those shots and with more and more information coming out it was the best decision ever! We just got to keep our bodies going….
Yes absolutely, we are so glad we said no. The news gets worse every day for those paying attention.
What a wonderful post! Aging is not always easy, but it is a part of this life. I am about to be 63 and I have certainly noticed the crepy skin this year. I too workout mostly at home now, but still try to lift weights, rebound, and walk. I have noticed my face is starting to show age as well. My hair is much thinner. I hated my hair in my teens because it was so thick and wavy. Not the going look in the 70s. It turned out to be a good thing for aging though. I think we need to show the way to aging gracefully. I have hypothyroidism and that is my only meds. I do have rheumatoid arthritis. I quit trusting the medical system about 10 years ago. I was taking all the biologics for RA and felt awful even with them. I ended up getting a melanoma with the last one I took. I went to a wellness doctor and turned things around with my diet. It was life changing. Food and the right supplements have kept me off the hard medicines. Yes, I have aches and pains but you are right. Keep moving!
Thanks Sandy, for sharing. I love hearing what all of you are doing too. I think I need to find a wellness doctor.