April 22, 2006

Old Age...

Old age is a two edged sword. There are things that I like about getting old, such as:

Having more wisdom then the young kids. Not because you were born smarter, but because you have life experience (been there done that).

You can do what you want (well a lot more of the time) because you just don’t care that much about what people think (anymore)

Life seems to balance out better. This happens for a lot of reasons, but suffice to say you seem to get in the groove and things are just easier in some respects, like saving money and paying bills. And this happens for a lot of different reasons that I will discuss at a later date, but it is just easier.

And there are things that I don’t like about getting old (and that is putting it nicely), like:

Metabolism slowing down. I hate this, truly hate this. When I was younger I could cut back and BANG I would lose 5- 10 pounds just like that. Now I watch and watch and nothing (or very little) this is just not fair. I think your metabolism should speed up with age, just as you begin to enjoy life and different foods you would be able to eat more of it … not less.

And I hate that I don’t have the physical ability or energy that I use to. This goes hand-in-hand with the first one; I wanted to do more to speed up the metabolism, so I started walking more. I cover 6500 to 11,000 steps in a day lately. But nothing, so I thought I would get a bike, I loved bike riding as a kid and I hear that you really burn the calories.

In my minds eye I saw myself riding and riding all around the neighborhood (for hours and hours). Well I am so depressed; I rode alright, but I could only go around the block a few times and I was dead. I had to stop and catch my breath and drink water and my legs were weak and sore. I was faked out by my own mind… NOT FAIR.

Even lifting my leg over the bike, as a kid I didn't think twice about it, I just did it. But these days just lifting my leg over the bike is a chore and needs to be carefully thought out or you (I) end up on the pavement. NOT FAIR.

I don’t like not being able to do the things I once did: bike riding, racquetball, tennis, baseball, even catch. Oh sure I still try, but I know it is nothing like it use to be. NOT FAIR.

I still have not figured out life yet… but I am working on it.