Optimistic Aging: Facing Changes
Happy Thursday….cataract surgery day for me! So, it seems fitting to write about Optimistic Aging: Facing Changes.
The posts I have been writing on optimistic aging are merely to keep us focused on the positive as we march into our second half of life…which means we are all facing changes.
Last week, a woman in a salon commented that cataract surgery made her feel old.
The fact that I am going through this today does not “make me feel old” at all.
Individuals of all ages go through challenges to their eyesight, and I am so looking forward to getting the blurry vision out of my life.
Hope in this change is what I have…never have I thought of it as a part of old age.
In fact, I rarely think of myself as old.
We are the ones that give an experience or a change the power to “make” us feel a certain way. We control those feelings.
I spent too much time lamenting over the loss of two toes. And I do not wish to waste time like that ever again.
I choose to look for the silver lining as I age and hope you will join along.
So, let’s look at another challenge I am currently facing.
OPTIMISTIC AGING: FACING CHANGES – TIME FOR A NEW PATH
Regular readers here know that I have really enjoyed OSTEOSTRONG and believe it has helped me so much with bone strength, posture, and healthy strength training.
So, you can imagine my disappointment when notified that the local franchise had decided to close.
In fact, today is the last day it is open…last week was my last time.
It was a jolt because I saw myself going to this place the rest of my life….to maintain bone strength and avoid osteoporosis.
But, Optimistic Aging tells me to get back on the strength training horse and not spend time lamenting.
I must wait until I am past recovery on my cataract surgery…but then I have a plan.
Meet Penny!
Penny was one of my trainers at OsteoStrong and she worked me hard….she is also an aspiring author with a fiction book soon to release.
She has signed up to be a trainer through the YMCA where I do cardio, so I plan to hire her to train me in strength training when I am ready. She is on board!
What I want to do for her right now, is encourage you to vote for her on January 26 to win a contest at Ms. Health and Fitness Magazine.
It was exciting when they selected her as one of the finalists.
Please go to THIS LINK and you can also read more about Penny’s commitment to fitness on this page.
Penny is also going to be joining me here and on Instagram with fitness tips for us. I am very excited to share her expertise with everyone.
I still highly recommend OsteoStrong if there is one in your area….and what I recommend the most, because it has helped me so much, is Strength Training…however you choose to do it.
And, it is never too late to begin. I began at age 60 when I was about to enter into osteopenia territory.
But, I do encourage you to have assistance with a trainer or class leader…you can easily be injured if you do not have guidance.
Strength training has saved many a hip from breaking and that is what motivates me the most. Both of our mothers (Mr. B and me) had broken hips.
OPTIMISTIC AGING: FACING CHANGES: HOPE
I will most likely be home after the first eye surgery by the time you read this.
And I would like to encourage you to join me to FIND HOPE IN EVERY CHANGE.
Do not give disappointment or discouragement a foothold to zap your life away from you.
Do not give anything the power to MAKE you feel old. We have so much living to do.
Find the hope…the silver lining…they are there…and live with purpose and joy…yes, one day at a time.
Thank you for joining me today for Optimistic Aging: Facing Changes….I will be here tomorrow with a post I wrote prior to surgery.
Hope you will join me and VOTE PENNY…until then….
EMBRACE TODAY & KEEP SMILING!!
BY PAMELA LUTRELL
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Good Morning! You and your surgery were immediately in my thoughts this morning when I opened my iPad where I go to your blog first thing each day. Praying your surgery is without any problems and your healing gives you a wonderful, new, clear view of life. I am with you in that I rarely think of being old even though I am 79. I do think of it if my body is hurting as it does during this cold weather, but I’m able to go and do pretty much as I please. I realize those actions that will affect how I feel and know how to avoid them. I’m determined to not be bedridden as both grandmothers were so I walk daily and continue to go to my yoga fusion class twice a week. We do use weights, bands, balls at my yoga fusion class as well as mats on the floor. My balance needs work so I’ve learned to not walk quickly, but with purpose and steadfastness. Again, you will be in my thoughts today as I think of you and your surgery.
I hope all goes well with your cataract surgery and I hope you write a post on it. I will face cataract surgery in the future and I am not looking forward to it although I know folks say they wondered why they waited so long to do it since there is so much improvement. I do not feel cataract’s mean you are old, all ages can have eye issues. Our son started wearing glasses before kindergarten so eye issues can start early. Prayers for an easy complete recovery and better vision too of course.
Prayers for you on surgery day. I know that your successful surgery will result in much better eyesight in a very short time. You’ve got this!
All the best on your surgery. You will feel so great, being able to see clearly again. My husband and I go to a class just called strength training at our local gym, where you lift light (chosen for your body and level of fitness) weights to music. It’s done more for us than anything we have done, including yoga, which I also love. The trainer is a great idea! Agreed on staying positive, and doing everything we can to stay healthy.
Good morning Pamela. I hope that your cataract surgery went well and that you will be seeing clearly soon! Your positivity inspires me so much. I am currently in the midst of caring for my mother, and have found myself depressed and really not caring about my clothing or how I appear to myself or others. After reading your posts for a while now, I have worked hard to be more positive and I have also started to care more about my clothing, as it makes a difference in how I feel each day. Thank you for inspiring me to make beneficial changes.
Just wanted to send my wishes that everything goes (went) well this morning and to let you know that I’m keeping you in my prayers.
🤗💕 Rest, Pamela. Recharge.
Here’s the thing-I have had cancer three times in six years. One of them is not curable, although I’m in remission. I still do not think of myself as old (74) or sick. I do yoga twice a week and know it has increased my strength and flexibility. I also do aerobics and weight training three days a week. The YMCA has a wonderful program called livestrong for cancer survivors that could kick start most anyone in an exercise journey. For me it is one of the major reasons I am still alive, and moving my body is such a habit now I would not dream of breaking it. I even exercise in the hospital. So summon the will and the determination that lives in every woman, and don’t let your thoughts control your life. Treasure your life instead.
Praying that all went well! You are on the road to seeing clearly. I am sorry that your Osteostrong closed. I was hoping one might open near me. How lucky to be able to still work with Penny. I never present my attitude as being old! It is the first step to being there! Rest when you are home. You will be seeing circles of light!
Prayers sent earlier this morning for you and your surgical team! Take care of yourself. We will be here waiting for you
Hello Pam. You are in my thoughts today as you gain clarity in vision! How wonderful is that! Just think of it. Keep up with the drops schedule they’ll provide and the rest is cake! Lol. You’ll love the results!
Prayers….
All good wishes. Take care of yourself.
Pam you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have a feeling you are going to be very happy with your cataract surgery, I feel very sorry for the women who said it made her feel old. Unfortunately some people’s self esteem is based on externals such as looks, jobs social status etc. rather than what really counts and so they find the changes that come with aging threaten the identity they’ve built.
That’s disappointing about your local OsteoStrong. I’m so happy you will be continuing though with your trainer as she certainly understands your needs. Does your Y have a vibrating plate? If not you may want to invest in one.
Sending prayers to you! Isn’t modern medicine amazing that cataract surgery is now a relatively quick out patient procedure? Strength training is so important as we age to combat osteopenia, but also sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass). We really have to flip our mindset from working out to be skinny to working out to be healthy and strong.
With your amazing attitude, you will never be old. I hope all has gone well with your surgery & will be praying for your recovery.
Praying for a speedy recovery from your surgery
Pamela,
Praying your cataract surgery went well. Recently I went through same procedure. What I learned: Doctor isn’t kidding about not bending over for two weeks; vacuuming is included in your admonition about lifting (my husband took on this job). Vision has slowly improved a bit each day.
Thank you for your daily encouragement and interesting observations. Based on your recommendation of what you learned from snowmaggeddon, I purchased a solar charger. Looks like we might need it this weekend in Ohio.
Blessings, Susan
Hope everything went well and you will be happy with the results. Robin, I cared for my mother for years as I was the only one of her children who lived close. I understand the depression and not taking care of yourself. Know that you are in my prayers and I hope you can find a little time for you.
Best of luck to you in your surgery, Pam! One of my friends says cataract surgery was like the fountain of youth for her. Afterwards she could see everything so clearly — like she had a new lease on life.
I so admire how you are handling the loss of your local OsteoStrong. Because of your positive attitude and creative thinking, you’ve been able to turn this into a new opportunity. Bravo, and thanks for being an inspiration!
Reading this post late today and hope all went well with your cataract surgery. Sorry to hear that your OsteoStrong closed. Great that you will be working out with Penny and that she will be sharing some information with us. Silver linings are wonderful.