I suppose I must now accept that I'm growing 'old'; I'm even beginning to resemble photographs of my Great Grandfather.
I have a bad back, a dodgy right knee, and hips that are beginning to complain about Arthritis. I am Type 2 diabetic, and I unashamedly enjoy good food and wine; which probably doesn't help.
So, what can I do to return myself to days gone by, when I could still run uphill, party all night long, and play serious Rugby.
Well, the obvious answer is that nothing can reverse the ageing process, regardless of a million adverts that tell us otherwise (mostly aimed at women). All we can do is to preserve what flexibility, brain-power, and general health, that we now possess; and pray that it doesn't all go downhill too quickly.
I'm not one for doctors (or surgeons), and I refuse to eat Tofu or 3D printed Meat-ex. I'm too far gone for Yoga, my skateboard has been put away, and even gentle jogging is now beyond the capability of my knees.
So, what to do? Well, I enjoy life too much to let any of my minor 'ailments' hold me back. I shall drink plenty of Beer and Wine (they kill microbes), I shall Dad-Dance to raucous Ska music, and I shall allow some of the finest chefs in England to sculpt my svelte-like figure. I ain't giving up just yet!
You've discovered the best way to approach aging! I love this.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer; we're thinking of you.
DeleteCro, Of course we can't reverse the ageing process but we can slow it down by eating healthy foods. Foods that give us vitamins and needed minerals.
ReplyDeleteI particularly enjoy Brain Foods like Mackerel and Salmon. And I eat daily portions of Nuts like Almonds and Walnuts in the hope that I never forget my laptop passwords.
This coming April I'll be officially retiring and will never have to work for anyone again. But you can bet that I'll always be active and will keep myself busy constantly.
Older and retired people must resist getting lazy or they will decline fast. Us having lots of interests will be a great help.
We tend to do our 'healthy' eating at lunchtime. Plenty of raw vegs and fruit, and simple veg soups. A bit more liberal in the evenings, but not over excessive (I hope).
DeleteCro, I have surpassed myself. Please put your arms round me, pat my back and murmur: There, there.
DeleteI wrote four different versions in reply to Deejohn. All rendered to oblivion. I am so proud of myself; the self restraint. He may like to give a thought to all that bile I forced myself to swallow back down. I'll now go, pop an almond and DO something, anything (cook?), to keep decay at bay. I might even look, lovingly, look at some of those beautifully designed cans of sardines in my cupboard.
U
It's in the gene pool. Some draw lucky, some kiss a tree and join the 27 club (think James Dean). At least their joints won't be creaking.
ReplyDeleteSome eat "brain food" and then scramble to find two brain cells to rub together. Others enjoy life without giving their longevity much thought. Joy being the operative word.
Which reminds me: When my beloved grandmother was on her deathbed (she was only sixty seven) she asked the nurse for a glass of ice cold beer. The OUTRAGE, Cro, the outrage! It's not good for her, the nurse said to my mother. Well, they hadn't reckoned on my mother who is a tour de force when push comes to shove. Even prisoners on death row get a last meal of their choice.
Cheers,
U
Correction, factual: James Dean was 24.
DeleteU
I do hope that I shall be in a fit state to demand a glass of Petrus on my deathbed; I can think of no better way to go.
DeleteUrsula, I'm sure you'll get to like those tins of fish, full of those heart healthy and brain boosting omega-3 fatty acids.
DeleteInterestingly when I worked in a local Wine Store, an old lady in her late 80's would pop in every few days. And when we asked her what kept her active and healthy, she replied..."What do you think? It's my daily bottle of Guinness Beer that I buy here all the time."
DJ, obviously I like them - and not just for the tins' pretty designs. Why would I buy them otherwise?
DeleteWhich reminds me, Cro, Parmentier, Savoir-Faire Depuis 1883, mainly yellow [the tin], Waitrose. And the intriguingly called "King Oscar by Special Royal Permission". Que? They look so nice I haven't been able to bring myself to actually open the tin and taste them.
DJ, I suppose, and no offence meant, what got me riled about your comment that some people always an eye on the "prize", the benefit. So eat your Omegas (as do I) but I do so because I like them. Should you feel so inclined do swing by on 1 January. It's when, by tradition, I offset the damage of the night before by scoffing those fine pickled herrings, complete with onion and gherkin. An acquired taste if you ain't a native. Ask Lady M.
U
Ursula, Come the festive period, I think we all waver our normal food intake.
DeleteBut interesting that you said that some people don't give much thought about their longevity. I wonder if it's our fears of actually reaching 90 and knowing that we will undoubtedly lose our independence.
Yes James Dean lived fast and died young. And Marilyn Monroe dodged old age.
I never buy Parmentier; I much prefer the cheapest Sardines (in Olive Oil), they always seem to have better flavours.
DeleteDrink plenty of water and remain interested in the world and what is happening around us. We are past the age of being a pretty corpse and if a little too much of the good life saves us from taking medication for mental health, we aren't doing half bad.
ReplyDeleteI agree about water. Even in Winter I try to drink at least a litre a day.
DeleteI think that you and I are much the same age, and my body has problems the same as yours, apart from the diabetes, though I am not ruling that out at a later date as Mum had Type 2 in later life. It is my left knee these days not the right ( that one had a half knee op 10 yrs ago). I recently got a bit fed up with the various pains in back and knee and went to a physiotherapist. I have various exercises to do for both and we will see if the money paid will be worth it!!I want to keep going as long as possible...not prepared to give in yet! I shall also carry on " killing microbes".
ReplyDeleteNever give in; that's my motto. I've been living with pain for several years, and try to ignore it.
DeleteThese are exactly the thoughts I had this morning. I too continue as normal as possible.
ReplyDeleteStay active as long as possible; even if it's painful.
DeleteGet yourself a bike Cro, you get to sit down whilst excercising and it's amazing what you notice from a bike that you didn't from a car.
ReplyDeleteI had to get rid of my bike on account of my knee, but I did recently ride my wife's bike and I seemed OK. It's a bit hilly where we are; I might put it in the back of the car, and drive somewhere flatter.
DeleteGood for you Cro - I feel the same and I am 89.
ReplyDeleteI think it was you who prompted this. You obviously battle with far more daily problems than I do. So, well done.
DeleteMrs D keeps telling me that ironing is good.
ReplyDeleteThat's strange, my wife says the same about hoovering.
DeleteWhat a coincidence! I had a conversation similar to this with my brother a couple of days ago. We just have to accept the changes going on, and NOT give up good food and red wine. We can always go for a briskish walk walk after lunch Cro. Life is to be enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteWithout my large garden, I've become a bit lazy, but the dog makes my daily exercise essential.
DeleteWe like what David Bowie said...getting old he could handle, but dying sucks!
ReplyDeleteWell, he should know. Didn't he die of cancer?
DeleteYes
DeleteSome days I just want to eat a whole Sherry trifle
ReplyDeleteI have a large natural appetite, and it's often a struggle to tame it. Mostly I manage.
DeleteIt's too late now for me to become super fit so I'll just carry on with the chocolate and fizz until my body gives up.
ReplyDeleteYou sound pretty active to me; all that walking, etc. However, the chocolate (80% pure) and fizz are essential elements of a good diet.
DeleteI have a suggestion for you Monsieur Magnon - regular swimming which is less stressful on old joints. Brighton has several swimming pools and you can check out what is on offer online. Something to seriously consider as I know you enjoy swimming in your Gallic pool.
ReplyDeleteI can guarantee the water quality in my own pool, but not in any municipal pool (I presume you know what I mean).
DeleteYou can certainly do strengthening exercises at any age. I used to attend a yoga class and had an 82-yr-old male classmate. He said he noticed benefits of yoga after 2 weeks of regular attendance and wished he'd started years ago. The key is to find exercises that work for you and do them daily. And some weight-bearing exercises are important. -A.K.
ReplyDeleteSadly, putting my right leg behind my left ear, is no longer possible. I'll stick to walking the dog, and parading along the 'prom' on Sundays.
DeleteYour are doing everything right! Exercise, good diet and water. I will share my holistic MD's recommendations: Most individuals are lacking in magnesium and vitamin D; take D3 10,000 +K and magnesium malate. For inflammation/pain take turmeric.
ReplyDeleteUnder strict control from Lady Magnon, I do take a multi vitamin/cod liver oil pill every day. She tells me I'll live forever!
DeleteI also wish to live a long life, my grandmother dies at 96 and I'd like to top that, but I have become lazy since retiring, so I need to do something about that. Covid didn't help, with all of us being told to stay home as much as possible, so I had to stop walking along the beaches here. I planned on starting that again soon, but they opened our state borders and the interstate travellers have rushed in, bringing their virus with them.
ReplyDelete