Fitbit Foray (from a little old lady's point of view)

Hello, again, my dear blog!  After more than a two year hiatus,  I'm ready to try a new approach with some new goals.  You are most welcome to follow this journey or check it out sporadically.

Just recently, my Fitbit arrived.  My step-son introduced me to the concept a year ago, and I finally took the plunge.  A Fitbit is a device to wear on one's non-dominant wrist which tracks the steps a person takes every day and encourages the completion of various activity and eating goals.

All of my life has been a battle to stay fit.  Even it I am an old lady, the "little" part of the title has never been true!  I'm not fond of exercise and love to eat anything sweet or salty.  Now, at age 72 (almost 73),  I'm willing to use the new Fitbit to improve the quality of my life for all the rest of it.  I do plan to have a long "rest" of it and hope to be healthy doing it!

After a few trials and the gradual improvement of the weather around here,  I'm officially starting today.  Despite the 28 degree temperature this morning, I clocked 3,308 steps walking around our little neighborhood.  The 10,000 step goal may not be completed today, but I'll keep you posted.  The secondary goal is a loss of 14 pounds.  I promise to give an accurate account of that as well, though I know there will be lapses and restarts.  I also promise not to turn this into a "Julie and Julia" column as I try to give the Fitbit a fair shake!

All reasonably positive comments and suggestions will be considered!

Flipping the Mattress

Today we flipped the mattress.  This seemingly mundane chore has had a remarkable effect on me.  Please allow me to explain.

A few months ago, I turned 70.  Initially, I told myself, "It's just a number, so don't worry about it."  After all, David and I enjoy good health, we love our life together, and all our children are leading satisfying, productive lives.  My mother, who turns 98 this month, is still in relatively good health even though she is in nursing home care.  She's always told me the secret to a long life is to choose the right ancestors, so that bodes well for the rest of my life.

Nevertheless, I've been in a funk.  Even David is concerned about me, so "as the mattress turned" today, I decided to make a few changes and share them in a new series of posts dealing with the aging process.  The goal is 70 posts for 70 years, but there is a good probability that will change.

You may consider this ramblings from an old lady, and stop reading right here.  You may gain some insight into your own aging process and continue to read to the end.  Or you may choose the practical middle road and read a few or some of the posts.  Though I'd love company along the way, I must admit, this is mostly for me and to give an outlet for my thoughts.  You are most welcome to comment and I'll try to respond.

Perhaps flipping mattresses is no longer that important, but it makes me feel that minor changes can make things seem new and fresh, an important part of an interesting life.

P.........art 3:

Between the Barbara Walters Special and the hype over John Ratey's book, "Spark", aging and exercising is becoming fashionable! From this wonderful group of participants in both, whose average age is just under 70, comes more inspiration to get going and keep going. Biking is another popular activity which is followed by stretching. In this post, and the last two, remember that ages here run from 52 to 85. Can you spot the 85-year-olds?

P.........art 2!

Here are additional activities that the exercise group enjoys at 7:00am! (Just don't tell the rest of the world that we're already zoned out by 7:00pm.). One particularly good activity is working with balance cushions. As we age our sense of balance can be compromised, so we work at it on these lovely blue cushions that help us strengthen muscles that can be of great help to us later. Of course, as my friends and family will tell you, I'm a little off balance normally! The final segement of this series premieres tomorrow when you will see more "instruments of torture"!

A.........ging gracefully, graciously, and gratefully!

Part 1:

I'd like you to meet an extraordinary group of people who work out together several times a week. Under the direction of our fearless leader (aka "Eight More Ellen"...of course names have been changed to protect the innocent...and the guilty), we move through our paces for an hour. What's extraordinary, you ask? The average age of these folks is just under 70 and their positive attitude is astounding! The time flies by and often we forget about how much we're really doing.
We begin and end with great stretching and fit in aerobics, strength training, balance, and fun as well. Please join me (and us) tomorrow for Part 2!