In my younger years I used to observe women in their senior years and watch them with great interest. I knew one day I too would be there. I wondered how healthy I would be and if I would be able to move the same as I did at that moment. I would look at my own mom and mother in law and wonder if I would experience some of their mobility problems. Most of the time my heart went out to them as I acknowledged these beautiful ladies having trouble with mobility and experiencing much pain at times.
Then one day it happened!
I looked in the mirror and there she was, that same woman who I had watched many years before. It seemed as if I had walked into a time machine. One minute I was in my 30's and now I was in my middle 50's with mobility problems of my own.
I began to experience pain in my joints and knees. My mobility began to be threatened. It was disheartening and very scary. I do not even remember when my body begin to change. It came like a thief in the night.
Then one day it happened!
I looked in the mirror and there she was, that same woman who I had watched many years before. It seemed as if I had walked into a time machine. One minute I was in my 30's and now I was in my middle 50's with mobility problems of my own.
I began to experience pain in my joints and knees. My mobility began to be threatened. It was disheartening and very scary. I do not even remember when my body begin to change. It came like a thief in the night.
I found myself at the doctor with high blood pressure, diagnosed with diabetes, and terribly over weight in my early 40's. I began to have many symptoms that go along with obesity. I have to say I was scared straight by a good doctor and did take the bull by the horn. I lost a ton of weight. I did feel better, but the one thing I still neglected was my mobility. Exercise and movement was not on the top of my list. An unhealthy diet may cause trouble on the body if not balanced.
After years of abusing my body, I was left with fragile joints and bones. My muscles were not strong and now I was that ageing woman with those terrible mobility problems.
After years of abusing my body, I was left with fragile joints and bones. My muscles were not strong and now I was that ageing woman with those terrible mobility problems.
We can all make tons of excuses to not move and I am the Queen of all of them. Some times life will throw us some curve balls. We may have genetics that have not been kind or because of our own unhealthy choices, we made some bad decisions in our younger years. We can not beat ourselves up or go back in time, but we can make some positive changes today.
My Crazy Story
After knee surgery last fall, I thought all my troubles would be over and I would be normal once again. Normal for me would be to be able to take a nice brisk walk, a mile or two, around the block with my pups. This did not happen. I was still in pain and my knee was not bending like it should. If I had let my body dictate what I was feeling inside at that time, I would still be on the couch 24/7.
I gave myself a good talking too and realized there was no one to push me but me! I decided to join a gym against every fiber in my body. I was not happy! I didn't want to spend the money nor take the time to go there. Once signing on the dotted line, it took me exactly 24 hours to began to doubt my decision. I looked over the contract hoping to find a loop hole. Sadly it would take an act of God to get me out of this one. Of course I could use a doctors note to get out of it perhaps, but I had already been released from weeks of therapy. Technically I was suppose to continue with an exercise program at home.
It took my daughter to encourage me to go with her. I reluctantly gave in. I did not want to let her down. After all she needed me. Nothing like a mother's love to make you do things you really do not want to do!
My first exercise regiment was riding a stationary bike and doing upper body weights. I found this to not be bad at all. My knee felt great! It was a wonderful task that made me feel as if I was doing something good for my body. I also joined a Yoga class.
Now let me tell you that this Yoga class is intimidating as all get out. Half the time I am struggling to get up from the Downward Dog because of my knee but I believe one day...me and that Downward Dog will have a nice relationship. I may look like a mess out there on the floor. I struggle to balance on one foot. That stance is called the tree. One day... I WILL BE THAT TREE!
I have no choice! If I choose to give up and stop moving I will be losing the last of my mobility that the good Lord has given me.
Ladies there are always alternatives. You do not have to be "Gumby" in one day. I use a small pillow for my knee when I get on the floor. I stretch as far as I can and push just a little beyond my comfort zone. I really could care less what I look like out there. The only one I have to impress is myself!
I gave myself a good talking too and realized there was no one to push me but me! I decided to join a gym against every fiber in my body. I was not happy! I didn't want to spend the money nor take the time to go there. Once signing on the dotted line, it took me exactly 24 hours to began to doubt my decision. I looked over the contract hoping to find a loop hole. Sadly it would take an act of God to get me out of this one. Of course I could use a doctors note to get out of it perhaps, but I had already been released from weeks of therapy. Technically I was suppose to continue with an exercise program at home.
It took my daughter to encourage me to go with her. I reluctantly gave in. I did not want to let her down. After all she needed me. Nothing like a mother's love to make you do things you really do not want to do!
My first exercise regiment was riding a stationary bike and doing upper body weights. I found this to not be bad at all. My knee felt great! It was a wonderful task that made me feel as if I was doing something good for my body. I also joined a Yoga class.
Now let me tell you that this Yoga class is intimidating as all get out. Half the time I am struggling to get up from the Downward Dog because of my knee but I believe one day...me and that Downward Dog will have a nice relationship. I may look like a mess out there on the floor. I struggle to balance on one foot. That stance is called the tree. One day... I WILL BE THAT TREE!
I have no choice! If I choose to give up and stop moving I will be losing the last of my mobility that the good Lord has given me.
Ladies there are always alternatives. You do not have to be "Gumby" in one day. I use a small pillow for my knee when I get on the floor. I stretch as far as I can and push just a little beyond my comfort zone. I really could care less what I look like out there. The only one I have to impress is myself!
We all have to start somewhere! Start slow and try to be consistent! Talk to your Doctor about the do's and don'ts. Today I want to encourage you that no matter what your mobility problems may be to begin with the smallest of movement. A little bit goes a long way!
Perhaps you can sit in a chair and do the small movements with your arms and legs. Living with pain on a daily basis can bring on depression and the feeling of total helplessness.
Believe me...I got so tired of hearing my own moaning and groaning. Now I have an excuse to moan and groan!
We should never take our mobility for granted. It truly is a gift to be cherished until the end of our days. I encourage you to not to give up. Know that you are loved with an everlasting love by our Father in heaven. He will meet you where you are at. All we have to do is take the first step.
Perhaps you can sit in a chair and do the small movements with your arms and legs. Living with pain on a daily basis can bring on depression and the feeling of total helplessness.
Believe me...I got so tired of hearing my own moaning and groaning. Now I have an excuse to moan and groan!
We should never take our mobility for granted. It truly is a gift to be cherished until the end of our days. I encourage you to not to give up. Know that you are loved with an everlasting love by our Father in heaven. He will meet you where you are at. All we have to do is take the first step.
Thank you once again for gracing my page with your awesomeness!
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