If you’ve been reading for awhile, you’ll know that I sometimes take a break from fashion and just talk about real life situations and what I’m doing to try to age as gracefully as possible. From food, to fitness, to trying to stay up on my health situation from year to year, there’s a lot to this topic that I thought you all might enjoy and benefit from too. Since I’m over 60 now, the aging process is rearing its head even more.
Remember when you were young and old people talked about their ailments and you’d chuckle about that and say, I’ll never do that?! Well, welcome to older age! I guess I’m officially old now, ha!
The 60s aging gracefully
I shared this post 5 years ago about my workout routine. It hasn’t changed a whole lot, I still try to get to the gym 3 times a week and get outside and walk when I can. I have gone down to a 20 lb. bar instead of the 30 lbs. mentioned in that post, since I have a shoulder that bothers me sometimes. My weight routine at the gym is about 20 minutes and I usually do 35 minutes on the recumbent bike and it’s low impact on my joints which is good. So, my whole routine is about an hour.
I shared this post about what I eat almost 3 years ago. I get questions periodically about what I eat, so I thought I’d do an update here. I’ll share more below about that and I so hope you aren’t bored with this post! It’s real life and I know we all deal with health issues, so here’s mine in a nutshell.
{I tend to stay in workout clothes all during the week, since I do go to the gym & they are so comfy to wear around the house}
My parents have made aging look so easy and so they have been my role models for growing older myself, but honestly, they have done it way better than I have (and my sister for that matter, we both have structural issues). My mom has told us that she didn’t start getting aches and pains until well on up in age, like into her late 70’s or 80’s. She is now 90 and does have back pain and degenerative conditions going on with her back. But, all those years, she has never had much pain at all with her back or otherwise. She does have arthritis in her hands, but she says it doesn’t hurt most of the time.
Dad had back surgery about 20 years ago which would have put him in his early 70’s. He had bulging disc issues which put him on his back and he had no choice but to get surgery. Thankfully, it was really successful and he’s gone on to have a very productive life in his older years. Around that same time, 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, which is the vertebra in the lower spine slips out of place and causes pain. I was probably born with it, the doctors said back then and I’ve been living with it for 20+ years.
{A veggie meal at my parents house, normal for summer fare. I’m sure that garden food has a lot to do with why they have aged so well}
Of course, with age, it has gotten worse and I’ve just had an MRI done to see what is going on now and to see what sort of treatment might be available. I’ll know more about that after my next appointment. On top of back pain, my hips starting hurting about 8 years ago, probably some of this is related to the back issues, but I’m not sure yet where that is going either, so that’s another thing that will be on my radar for getting under control as I get older. I have managed to live with the hip pain and still go and do, but I know it’s probably going to get worse. It’s like a rubber band in my hip joints that feels tight and hurts, especially with certain movements. I really don’t want to have to do hip replacement surgery, although my sister had it done about 2 years ago on one of her hips and has done well with that. So, that might be in the genes too, although mom and dad haven’t had hip problems.
Oh, those genetic issues that come to us from family. They seem to always be the bad stuff and not always the good ones. I was also just put on thyroid meds for hypothyroidism, oh the joy! My sister and mom are both on thyroid medication too, so again it runs in the family. I’m hoping not to have side effects with these meds, so we will see.
I have been very fortunate to not have to go to the doctor very often in my life. We went very minimal times as children. My parents prayed for us when we were sick and apparently that worked very well, as I cannot remember ever going to the doctor when I was a kid. My parents didn’t have health insurance either back then, so we just got by.
Two years ago I signed on with a Primary care doctor, since I had high blood pressure that needed to be dealt with, so that happened then and I’m on meds for that too. I always had lower blood pressure and all of a sudden it went up, for no reason about 8 years ago. I blamed it on the stress of what I was going through at the time, but it didn’t regulate back down, so I went on meds finally. My mom has high blood pressure too, so it’s probably hereditary, since I’m not a high risk for it.
I have always since I was in my 20’s, gone to an OB/Gyn for yearly checkups and started getting mamograms when I was around 40 and have kept up with those all these years. I believe in doing what we can to prevent things, like seeing a dermatologist, I’ve done that regularly too. But other than that, I have rarely gone to the doctor until just the last couple of years. I’ve been very fortunate that I don’t get sick very often and can’t remember the last time I had the flu. I rarely get colds either, since I take doses of Vitamin C regularly.
I am taking a whole regimen of supplements, so I’ll share that at the bottom too. I did get shingles last year, as I mentioned back before Christmas last year. I had a mild case, but don’t ever want them again! I plan to get the shingles vaccine when I can.
I don’t get sick often, but apparently my bones and joints are falling apart! I kid, sort of. I just want you to know that even though I get dressed up and look cute, things are not all perfect with me either. We all have health issues to deal with. I’m thankful mine aren’t worse and I’m determined to deal with them the best way I can in the future. I just try to keep moving and doing, even though my energy level is not nearly as great as it was even 10 years ago. I find that if I just keep pushing through, I get things done, I just have to do things in smaller increments now, like an hour or so at the time. I do get a lot of projects done around here, but it’s not without some pain and lots of resting too!
Let’s talk about food!
What we eat is such a topic of conversation these days. It seems that everything now is bad for you. If you eat Paleo, then grains, beans, and pasta is off limits. Oatmeal is good for high cholesterol, but you can’t have that on certain diets, it’s a grain. Wheat is bad for you and we aren’t eating as much bread as we used to, because gluten is off limits for so many now. I’ve never been gluten free or dairy free, but so many of my friends are. Is that a better way to eat? I don’t know that for sure, but I’ve just never limited myself that strictly in what I eat. I do however try to eat real food, in moderation. That’s how my parents have always eaten.
OK, so here’s what I will typically eat for breakfast. I still love these Paleo banana pancakes that discovered a few years ago and eat them at least twice a week. I add whatever fruit is in season, a little dollop of honey and some pecans.
Here’s another breakfast I shared recently on Instagram. Soft fried egg on a piece of Public toast, toast with jelly, avocado and fresh peaches. One thing I’ve been doing more of is eating avocado on regular basis. I probably eat 3 of them a week, they have the good fat that we all need, so I’ve added them to my diet and I really have grown to love them. And it’s funny, because I used to hate them. Now I love fresh guacamole, sliced up with salt and pepper for breakfast and they are really good on a BLT too.
Another breakfast, Publix Cranberry walnut loaf bread (it’s so good!), blueberries, scrambled egg and avocado again. Eggs and avocado are filling and so are the Paleo pancakes. When I eat breakfast like that, I’m not hungry until mid afernoon.
My rationale on eating is I try to eat fairly healthy, but I’m not fanatical about any of it. I don’t buy boxed meals, but cook from scratch most of the time. I shared this below before, but I’ll share it again. This was a pasta salad I made with white tuna, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cucumber, an easy summer meal.
I rarely cook anything out of a box anymore (except an occasional veggie pizza, I’ve been getting preservative free crusts), but cook things from scratch. I keep it pretty simple with grilled chicken, fish, pork or sometimes beef, with sides like sweet potatoes, roasted red potatoes, green beans, broccoli, asparagus, veggies like that.
Another typical lunch at home: rice crackers and cheese, salad with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and chicken salad from Publix (Boars Head) and grapes. I love that chicken salad for lunches at home and will buy that periodically. Of course, I could make my own, but it’s just me at home for lunch.
In the summer, a tomato sandwich is all I need, except for a few potato chips. I don’t adhere to a strict no-chip diet, but I eat them in moderation. That’s my main motto…everything in moderation. Chips and salsa included.
This is a favorite summer treat when fresh tomatoes are in, Caprese Salad. We love this and can make a meal off it!
This was chicken nachos that I cooked in the oven and added fresh avocado. It’s all veggies with cheese on top and yes, there are tortilla chips, but again, I eat chips and don’t ban everything from my diet. I wish I could say I eat healthy 100% of the time, but it’s just not true. I do limit the amount of bread I eat now.
I still buy whole wheat bread, but don’t eat it all the time anymore. I will buy it in the deli and not the regular bread section. Public has my favorites breads in their bakery. I will limit it to sandwiches usually and that’s certainly not every day. One of my weaknesses is BLT’s, so I will make those for lunch pretty often. I love chips too and those Kettle chips are a weakness, but I don’t eat those regularly either. I’ve also discovered sweet potato chips which are pretty awesome. I try to eat veggies often, but don’t do it as much as I should. I buy fresh veggies and fruits at Aldi’s and always have a variety around the house.
Mark and I both love pizza, so I’ll buy those preservative free pizzas at the grocery store or make my own with Public pizza dough, like this one above, and add lots of fresh veggies and fresh mozzarella. So yummy! Again, not healthy if you’re on a diet and trying to lose weight, I get it that this wouldn’t fit so many diet plans. It seems the Keto diet is all the rage now, I keep hearing about that one all over the internet.
{I’m not above eating at The Varsity on occasion. This is what I always order there and it probably has 5000 calories, but it’s worth the splurge sometimes. That’s a chicken salad sandwich by the way, with onion rings, peach pie and a frosted orange. This is about once a year for me.}
One thing I don’t do is snack between meals. I know many people are snackers, but that is something I am not in the habit of doing. I eat 3 meals a day and not much snacking in between. I do have a sweet tooth and will eat dessert at my mom’s whenever I’m there, but I don’t bring a lot of sweet stuff home to my house. If it’s not around, I can’t eat it!
I’m trying to cook things that are better for us and Mark is trying to lose about 20 lbs., so I want to do what I can to help him with that. Now that I’m cooking more, I’m trying to think about both of us in what I cook and serve around here. It’s not always easy though, is it? Why does everything taste so good that’s not healthy for us? See above, The Varsity!
When we were young, we could eat anything and not worry about our bodies, but that’s not the case anymore. Food is very important and what we eat definitely has an impact on our bodies.
I’d love to hear your feedback on health isses as you’re getting older and what you’re doing to try to slow down the aging process.
Anyone deal with back/hip issues like I do? I’d love to know if you’ve found anything that has kept the pain in check for you. I am on a whole host of supplements to help with bones and joints, so I’ll share those with you. I’ve been going to a chiropractor for the last 3 years and he helps me manage the pain, but it never goes away completely. I’m taking these supplements:
Tumeric
Vit. C
Calcium
Minerals from my chiropractor (Trace Minerals B12 and Min-Tran)
Magnesium
D3 (heard this was good for joints and bone) along with K2, so I recently added these)
Omega 3 Fish Oil
Biotin (for hair and nails)
Just thought this would be a fun change of pace for today’s over 50 post, so I hope you enjoyed. Please chime in with your own comments on what you’re doing for yourselves health-wise? what you’re eating? Do you have any tips you can share on pain management for joints and back? I’d love to hear from all of you too! This aging journey is a lifetime one, isn’t it? And it’s not a one size fits all. There’s so much to learn! Mark is getting ready to turn 65 this month and so we are starting to read up on Medicare options and all of that. I’m just over 3 years behind him. Until you get here, you just don’t know what all is involved with it all.
Keeping ourselves healthy is a lifetime goal, for sure and is constantly changing!
Shirley says
Hi Rhoda,
I am a regular reader but rarely comment but I have to comment today after reading about your health issues. I have the exact same back problem as yours. For years I had physical therapy which helped for awhile but then it became worse. I had injections as well of all of the treatments available. There were times when I couldn’t walk or had to use a walker to get around in my house. I also got an Acorn stairlift because the stairs were too difficult. Then my ortho doctor discovered I also had hip problems. So, I’ve had the same problems as you.
Finally exactly one year ago, I had hip replacement surgery. The miraculous thing is the surgery also helped my back problem. Now I no longer use a cane and never have back pain. It was a miracle!
Your diet looks very healthy. As for me I cannot eat cheese or dairy products and I also eat oatmeal bread instead of whole grains.
Good luck with your back and hip problem!
Rhoda says
HI, Shirley, thanks for chiming in! I really want to put off surgery if I can help it, so I am trying to find things that work without that route, but if I have to do it eventually, I will for long term health benefits.
Andrea G Corley says
Hi Rhoda,
This is a great post!!! Thanks for sharing and helping those of us who are creeping up to 60 be aware. I, like you, rarely visit doctor other than physicals and mamo’s. I hope you will continue sharing these type of posts on Wednesdays. I think they are helpful for me more than the fashion over 50…. I just get more out of your story and sharing what you are eating and doing health wise…. Here is a blog of a good friend of mine, you might want to check it out: https://sageandcelery.com/blog/
Thanks again… Love this post!
Andrea
Rhoda says
Hey, Andrea, I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. We’re all in this aging boat together, so I figured this would hit home for a lot of you too.
Patti says
I have always had trouble with my knees. I thought for sure I was going to need knee replacement surgery. But I discovered turmeric with black pepper and wild tart cherry tablets. I buy it at Whole Foods. Turmeric alone doesn’t work. You need the black pepper and cherries are good for arthritis. I have been on this for 2 years. It has made a real difference. I do get pain if I over do it, but nothing like before.
Rhoda says
Hi, Patti, that’s a new one on me. My chiropractor got me on Tumeric, but I’ve never heard of the black pepper part. I’ll have to check out Whole Foods and get some of those to try. If it helps, I’ll do it!
Jeanne says
I really enjoyed this post and it’s an encouragement to keep on keepin’ on! Love and enjoy your blog and I really like how you write. I take mostly the same supplements you do, but not K2- thanks for the reminder since I’ve been meaning to check into that. I have to take my magnesium at night since it makes me sleepy! But it does enhance sleep for that reason.
Thank you for sharing our beautiful home and your life journey with us!
Nikki Scott says
I also have spondylolisthesis and my left hip hurts feels like a pulling sensation. The only thing that helps me relieve my lower back pain is doing yoga stretches. I was diagnosed about 5 years ago with it and I am now 49 years old, just like you they said I was probably born with the condition. My doctor said I am too young for surgery and that I will just have to live with the pain until it becomes unbearable. I also workout at the gym but I workout 5 days a week and I walk. I can’t do alot of squats because it hurts my back. I also can’t do any leg or butt presses because it causes pressure to my spine. I do what exercises I can that doesn’t cause me pain. If you find something that helps with this condition please share with me. Thank you for sharing this post.
Madeline says
After years of back and knee pain, I started daily water aerobics in a warm pool (86 degrees) about 2 years ago and it has been amazing for my joint and back pain. It really loosens you up and allows you to do stretches and exercise without joint impact. I am getting close to 70 and I haven’t felt this good in 30 years.
Heidi says
I just added collagen peptides to my diet. It’s a flavorless powder you can add to your morning coffee or oatmeal or yogurt. It’s supposed to help with joint pain and also is good for your skin and hair. I just started so I don’t know yet if it will help but the reviews I read on it sound promising.
Rhoda says
Hey, Heidi, I’m hearing about that too and was talk to my hair stylist about it. She just started it too, so I may try it and see if that helps. Might as well try it!
Cheri says
Reading your post was like reading about myself (we are also the same age). I also have back and hip problems (lower back and left hip mostly) but I have found doing gentle yoga helps me and it is so easy to just do at home a few times each day. I sit a lot through out my day and so I have to remind myself to get up and walk around or do the yoga and I only take Aleve (2 tablets) every morning. I do not take any supplements, I have a love/hate relationship with them, not sure if they really work or in my mind I want them to work. As for diet…I do not have one. I believe in moderation but sometimes I over indulge when I get a hankering for something like chocolate and eat it until I can’t. Like this post…it hits close to home for us over 60.
Rhoda says
Hi, Cheri, I’ve heard so many good things about yoga, so I probably could benefit from doing those yoga stretches at home on a regular basis. I’ll have to look some up. I have been to yoga classes and it was painful to hold those poses, but I’m sure the more you do it, the easier it gets. Do you have special stretches that you love? I’d like to try them.
wendy says
OMG those veggies look amazing! My kind of meal. 🙂
Roxanne says
Rhoda, this was a wonderful post! Hope you do more like it. I have the structural problems too. My spondylolisthesis got so bad, I had a spinal fusion at L4L5 in 2011. The pain immediately stopped and has never come back. I have worked out 4 Days a week at the gym too since my 20s. Please get a bone scan. My osteopenia became full blown osteoporosis last summer. My doctor and orthopedic surgeon both said “tall, thin, blue-eyed, fair skinned blonde…you were destined to get it the day you were born”. Now I m getting Prolia infusions every six months. Tell Mark Medicare is wonderful! I had just gone on it last summer when I broke my arm and leg. The bills were about $100,000 and I owed zero!
Rhoda says
Hey, Roxanne, good information! I just had an MRI to see where my spondo is now and it actually looks like that part may not be the biggest problems. I have a follow up with my GP so we will see what’s next, but I have some degenerated disc issues that are probably causing more pain than the spondo has. I just had a bone scan too and I am osteopenia at the moment, so I’m going to try to slow that down with supplements and just staying active. I’m glad to hear your surgery was so successful for spondo and also on the Medicare things too. That’s good to know!
Linda D says
Hi Rhoda,
I found your blog about 1 1/2 yrs ago while looking for how to pack for a cruise! I have enjoyed reading your wonderful posts! Last month I turned 64 & aging gracefully has always been my goal. My parents are in their 90’s with few health problems until arthritis, knee & hip pain set in during the last 10 years so I have good genes. My first issues were back pain in my late 50’s. I went to see a chiropractor & that helped for about 2 years. During that time I retired & we moved & the back pain came back so I went to see a chiropractor again. It was helping for the first 2 months & then I felt worse. I finally went to general & orthopedic doctors & discovered I had osteoporosis & had fractured 4 bones in my spine most likely do to the chiropractoic treatment. I went thru cement surgery & physical therapy to walk again. Today 3 years later I am doing very well enjoying life again. My back pain only sets in after hours of activity. I go to my pool 3x a week & lost 20 lbs getting back into shape & aging gracefully!
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful stories! PS Last Feb my husband & me went on our first cruise!
Rhoda says
HI, Linda, thank you for stopping by and chiming in, so glad you got some good information from my cruise posts. So glad you got your back pain figured out and got something done. I’m not quite to the point of surgery yet, but I want to see what my options are for down the road. I do have osteopenia now.
laura says
HI Rhoda,
Great post! So many of our back, joint and hip pain issues can be reduced with a great physical therapist. It sounds like you might have a tight IT band. I found a physical therapist who is in private practice. The difference is he doesn’t schedule the insurance reimbursed 6 sessions. It’s one session and then send me home with up to 2 weeks of exercises. I will always have a PT in my arsenal of good health!
Have a great week! laura
Rhoda says
Hi, Laura, that is good information too. The first time I was diagnosed, they sent me to physical theraphy for about 3 months and it did help a lot. Since then,I’ve managed the pain and it has never gotten that bad again. I probably do have a tight IT band and maybe I can figure out how to stretch it on my own.
Diane Taylor says
Hi Rhoda – aging gracefully is one of my highest priorities – I am 59 and out of shape, but it is never too late. I love that you look to your parents on what has kept them “young” and aging well. I look at my parents too – my dad passed away last year but lived to 88, even with Parkinson’s for 17 years. My mom is in great health so I am hopeful I can follow in their footsteps! My doctor is good about getting me in for annual physicals so I can stay on top of issues quickly. I love using turmeric in my cooking and in smoothies (can’t live without my Nutrabullet!) and it really helps me with inflammation. I also add ground ginger to my smoothies as well as my fav, cinnamon.
Thanks for all the great info! You always look amazing so whatever you are doing, keep doing it!!!
xxoo
Diane
Rhoda says
Hey, Diane, no it’s never too late to get started. and yes, my folks have been my role models because they have done it so well. They never complain and really have had such good health up until the last 10 years or so and now have some structural pain, but they’ve both done so well. My sister and I lament the fact that we are not pain free in our 60’s, so we didn’t do as well as our parents did in their 60’s.
Bonniee says
Hi Rhoda……Well I would never guessed you weren’t in great health! The MEA Clinic looked at me in disbelief when asked what meds I was on for stitches a couple years ago. ha! My response was vitamins. I do take one RX now but it is my own fault as I threw away the pills for years and boom it hit one day. Nothing serious. I do go to the derm’s office for several reasons & love my dermatologist. I get a bone density test every 5 years and do extra calcium since slight of build people as they call us petite ones get bone disease more. I do use medical grade skin care now as opposed to drugstore as I need stronger! I use the strongest RA cream now. Nothing life threatening, thank goodness as Johnny has diabetes and is on a pump so lots of issues with his health here. I hope they find out what is going on exactly with your pain and find a cure for you . I do a peptide cream but it a nighttime facial cream for building collagen. Keep us updated and I will pray things improve with your health for you. Hang in there! So sorry you are in pain, my friend. 🙁 I do tend to pull things more often now & takes longer to heal. Geez.
Tee says
Rhoda, thank you for being so open today with us and all the comments, as well!
I am approaching 72, and doing well. I had hip replacement surgery when I was 55 to correct a birth defect. I had terrible back pain prior to the surgery, but the new hip resolved that problem (now my other hip is hurting and that side of my back is painful). Since the early 1980s my primary care physicians have been integrative medicine doctors, which is the best of both worlds, traditional medicine and holistic medicine. I have taken lots of supplements for many years, but only after extensive blood tests to see what my body needed. My inflammation rate has been very high, but as a result of working on my diet, it has come from 21 to 4, but it needs to be 1. My doctor is very pleased with my progress, but I did eliminate wheat, flour, sugar and dairy from my diet at her advice. She also took me off calcium, because she said that can cause clogging of the arteries, and put me on Strontium for my bones. Her own mom had severe osteoporosis, with severe back pain, and was not getting better on prescription drugs. She took her off the Rx and put her on the Strontium and in three months the pain was gone and in two years she had regained the bone she had lost. This is something all of us can research. My doctor also suggested that I get Thermography screening for my breast health. Medical thermal imaging body scans show skin temperatures and can help with early detection of serious disease. This procedure also screens cardio-vascular health, muscular skeletal disorders, thyroid problems and other issues. It does not expose you to high doses of radiation like x-rays. I have been doing this for about four years and my last screening reflected improvement in my breast health. I was thrilled! I apologize for the long comment, but this is information that is worth sharing with all you lovely ladies.
Change the frosted orange to a PC. 🙂 Only Atlanta natives will know about the PC.
Nita says
You must tell us what PC is…for those of us who are native! 🙂
Rhoda says
Hey, Nita, it means plain chocolate milk. I had to look it up, I knew it was chocolate milk, but didn’t know what the P was.
Nita says
*aren’t native*
Tee says
PC = plain chocolate. It’s chocolate milk poured over slivered ice and is delicious.
Tee says
P.S. The only prescription drugs I take are Armour thyroid each day, one Vitamin D 50,000 IU per week, and B Complex with amino acid and folic acid injections a couple times a month. My goal is to stay off prescription drugs.
PsychicKathleen says
I really enjoyed reading your post as well! I turn 64 in Nov and always joke that aging means we have to work harder to stay the same. Something I definitely picked up from your post as well 🙂 I exercise regularly and stick to a diet of 1100 ca (the CRONE diet 🙂 calorie reduced optimal nutrition), avoid caffeine (although I do drink green tea) alcohol, cooked food other than a small portion of meat or fish at noon and stay positive and happy in any way I can. I take a fist full of supplements twice a day, see the doctor for regular checkups (he said my tests always show I have the blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI of an 18 yr old. BUT I do exercise a hefty degree of self discipline to achieve that 🙂
AnneHH says
Thanks for this post, Rhoda! I enjoyed hearing you describe your health challenges, your exercise routine, your diet choices and your supplements and prescriptions. I am 61 and so share many of the same issues as you and your other readers. Two things that I couldn’t live without–my 3 day a week water aerobics class which I have been doing since being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis 12 years ago–and my friends and family. How life enhancing those precious connections are!
Kim says
I’ve been following you for a while now, and I love your honesty and simplicity. You look amazing! and this post is a great reminder that there are always issues behind pictures that we can’t see.
I’ve done a Whole 30, and surprisingly found that dairy is an issue for me. You may consider a whole 30 to find out what you are sensitive to.
I saw that someone recommended Collagen Peptides. I’ve seen all the rage on that, but haven’t tried it. I have been taking a collagen drink that has helped me with joint pain. Here’s a link to what I’ve bought. At some point I want to compare this to collagen peptide powders, but for now I’ve loved this drink. (as for everything in the supplement world, it took about 2-3 months to see results). https://www.modere.com/Home/Welcome/?referralCode=835031 (the link gives you a $10 savings code)
I wish you the best!
Rhoda says
THank you, Kim. I think I’m going to research the collagen and start adding that in my supplements too. Can’t hurt! I am not sure I could stick to a Whole 30 diet. I tried Paleo for a month and didn’t make it, so anything that is so restrictive is very hard for me to do.
Dawn says
Rhoda, is it possible a change in your fitness routine may be helpful? Is it possible some of your workout routines may not be the best for you issues? I love the water aerobics suggested above. I don’t do it myself but have always heard and read how beneficial, gentle yet effective it is.
Have you ever considered or tried reformer Pilates? Though I don’t have pain issues and was fairly fit before trying Pilates, I’ve found it has changed my body and made me stronger. Yoga, reformer Pilates, water aerobics, walking are all such great, gentle yet effective options at any age.
Rhoda says
HI, Dawn, thanks for those suggestions. My fitness routine is not strenuous and I ride a recumbent bike at the gym, so all low impact. I don’t do any weights that put a strain on my back, so I don’t think it’s any of that. I do think I need to try some yoga stretches, I’ve heard good things about that, so I’m going to research some of the yoga moves and try to incorporate those more per week. I have been to a few Pilates classes over the years and I can see that yoga and Pilates stretching would be beneficial.