This is definitely a loss. Now that we're at midlife and have a bit more time to ourselves, hubby has begun playing tennis again, a couple times a week. I am so happy for him because he loves it.

I am suffering from the loss of being able to play tennis. Not a total big deal, but still a loss.

While this may be a depressing topic, I thought I'd try to put another spin on it.

What can you no longer do, and what are you doing in it's place that you may not have done otherwise?

My answer is this novice rowing class. While inwardly groaning that I can no longer play tennis, I realized that if it wasn't for that fact, I probably would never have tried rowing.

I watched Evangelist Joel Osteen late last night on TV, he spoke of us feeling sorry for ourselves and that when we can no longer do something, or we've lost a loved one, or are having financial difficulties, troubles at work etc. we need to not think "poor me," or be angry. We need to realize God hasn't done this TO us, he has done this FOR us, getting us prepared for something he has in store for us down the road. It was an uplifting sermon, one I have taken to heart. What do you all think?

I can't lift the heavy weights I used to, so not I just lift light ones. Both Hubbo and I used to be avid hikers, but with his/hers back issues, now we go to a local park which has a lot of benches along the way. Also, we utilize the aerobic equipment at the gym.

I've taken Tai Chi class for 2 whole months now! When I was younger, I was much more into the macho showy stuff, but my body just can't take it any more.

Dotsie are you rowing outside…like in a real boat? Canoeing? I could get into something like that. I probably couldn’t get out of one anymore though. I see myself walking along the streets with this boat stuck on my behind. Along comes Dancer and tsk tsks me, saying this is just not fashionable. Heh heh,

I absolutely loved tennis, and can understand how disappointing it is for you not to be able to play it any more. You know I play golf now. But I would give it up in a flash to play tennis. Oh well.
The following shows exactly how I feel about golf.

I hate golf
I HATE golf
I HATE HATE GOLF

Good shot….

I LOVE golf.

Isn’t it that way with all sports?

Dotsie,
I'm sorry you have to stop playing. I understand your loss. There are things I can't do in dance anymore and I miss the feeling very much.

I hope you find a replacement for the joy you found on the court soon and it is possible!

Good luck,
Dancer

I can't sleep late anymore. Darn it! I try, but I just cannot do it. So, alternatively, I go to bed early!! Each day I so look forward to getting into bed and reading whatever book is on my bed stand. Or do crosswords. LOVE crosswords. Glad I can still do them!!

There is so much I can't do now - dancing is out, so is hiking, weightlifting, I almost can't knit or crochet any more because of painful finger joints. But, I can write, I can take pictures (some of them pretty good, if I do say so myself!LOL) and I can still learn and teach. I take a Tai Chi class weekly and read a lot. I can spend time with my partner and our pets, and I can do information research (just recently had my first paying client - Hooray!!)

So as things I used to do become more difficult or impossible, something new takes its place. How wonderful is that?!

I'm having knee problems and have given up on step-aerobics (have an appt with an orthopedic doc tomorrow, will find out if I need to give it up permanently or just take a break) so have started taking a Pilates class along with my weight lifting. Also still walking with one of the dogs every morning........hopefully I won't be told to stop doing that!
Have lost almost 5 lbs since I quit doing step. It's probably muscle mass, but at this point in my life, hey a 5 lb loss is a 5 lb loss!! Actually I'm not sure if it has anything to do with not doing step for the last few weeks.........life's been kind of stressful and hectic lately and I'm not snacking as much, that probably has something to do with it!!

chatty, love it and totally agree. Am trying to walk that way but need constant reminders - like all of you women here!

Meredith, sounds like you've adjusted. You go girl!

Edelwiess, you're a hoot. After the first day, I came home and told Ross that one of the biggest challenges is getting my butt down in the ROLLING seat. And all 8 of us are suppose to do it at the same time. Yeah right!

The way you feel about golf, is the way I used to feel about
tennis.

gims, I bet if you joined a choir, snag a bit more, you could get it back. Do you think that's true with singing? I know nothing about it. I can't carry a tune in a huge trash can!

Thanks dancer. It's hard accepting that the maturing body jsut can't do what it used to. But I believe that the less we use it, the faster we lose it.

Di, how about a nice warm, relaxing bath before bedtime?

yonuh, you are wise to use replacements. I think that keeps us active and young at heart. It's better than focusing on all the things we can no longer do.

crosstith, I know you love your exercise so I'm sorry to hear about your knees. Let me know if you have any questions. I've had two knee surgeries.

There is a lot I can no longer do so I try to concentrate on the things I can still do and have even learned some new things lately...You really can teach a old dog new tricks!

I agree, Chatty. I spend time thinking about what I can do now. I'm still quite active but have had to give up physically demanding things like skiing, which I once loved. I also find I'm a lot less of a risk taker than I used to be. Nothing is worth the fear or the pain!

Di, That's brilliant and simple! I like it!
Dancer

I can't stay up real late anymore..I really do like my sleep now..already my current job is tiring me ..simply because I have to get up so early to start my commute.

I never thought much about loss of physical activity at this time yet. Tomorrow I'm cycling with a woman who probably is at least 15 years younger than I. I'm sure she will be faster. since she used to cycle regularily with women who RACED.. that alone is the reminder...

But honest, I still have been hiking and snowshoeing lots. And cycling. My incentive to x-country ski has fallen alot..but then I was always lousy.

Most important is to like the physical activity that you are engaged in for next few years/decades of life. And all the good stuff will follow after that.

However my tolerance for colder temperatures is not as strong....but I think it's from living in balmier Vancouver!

And when you love something, you doubt your own capabilities alot less.

I guess I didn't engage in much risky sports when I was a geek for so long until my early 30's..though I believe some of you think that cycling is risky. So I don't see super significant difference between what I did then vs. now.

However looking backwards, if I was 25 years younger I would be more willing to try snowboarding. But now it's too late in my opinion..the risk of muscle strain/sprain and falling hard.

I think it's the latter, risk of falling..when we are much aware of consequences of bone breakage and more time to recover.

But believe me, if you hang out with other women in our boomer age group who are still quite physically active, you may get a different picture of how much you can aim for.

Update: I just returned from a blood test at a medical lab. Met a lively 59-yr. old woman (who was at the lab also) who asked me about my bike. As it turns out, she also cycles and doesn't have a car.

this is the first time I've met another woman where upon after introductions and 5 sentences exchanged with each other, we told each other our ages!

We swapped phone numbers...maybe we'll go cycling somewhere later some day.

Yes, she did look reasonably in good shape..she has a French-Canadian accent...and described herself as when much younger as looking "fluffy"...I think she meant more weight than normal.. I giggled at her translation.

Chattylady..I really liked your thoughts about the sermon you heard..when you can´t do something anymore..something else will come up instead! And it´s probably the whole meaning in the first place! Yes! Yes!

Dotsie, I can´t jog anymore..because of my painful knees. I miss my jogging alot..especially now when the spring is coming to Sweden. I guess I do yoga instead. I am really into that and it gives me alot of enjoyment and relaxation and peace of mind at the end of the day. I often do it before going to bed, Di..thinking of your sleep thing. I find that it stretches out my tired body and kind of quiets my mind. I may feel a bit more awake for alittle time after I have done it..but it´s another kind of awake..like a vacuum cleaning of all the webs that are pulsating in my mind and body at the end of day

Another thought along your lines, Orchid...I often think that I am more tired now that I am over the 60 line..but then I talk with my partner, who is only 35, and he is as beat as I am after a day at work. Sooo..maybe we are´nt as tired as we sometimes think we are..just because of age? I also have a girl at work, who is only 25, and she gets "hot flashes" during the warm weather!

Orchid..your thoughts about us Boomers..that we probably can do more than we think we can..that is interesting. I have alot going on right now..with 2 graduations in the family on the same..but I just might test your theory during the summer..and push myself a bit. I am getting "fluffier" in my older age..and this is not ok for my knees,etc. Right now I feel a bit swamped by everything

I'm glad hunlan that yoga gives you much pleasure. It will carry you far into life and you will be more limber and less injured-prone.

By the way, the young woman whom I met today and cycled with...she is the same age as my partner's daughter...30 yrs.

For the lst time in my life since I don't have children, I felt um...an age diff!

And for the lst time, I've never talked so much on the bike...she was initiating chat while we were climbing some hills....which definitely is not my style of cycling.

She is a different person than my partner's daughter, different also from the similarily aged German student that we have hired and working in my dept. for the summer. But all 3 young women are focused, motivated women, but not all physically fit at the same level.

But I guess, it helps to be challenged from time to time....get out of mental boxes about what we, as a boomer woman perceive on what we cannot do vs. what we are capable of..if positively encouraged and supported.

Oh, darn, I can't vacuum anymore. After 5 surgeries to my chest pertaining to breast cancer, alas, there is some muscle tissue missing and I just can't seem to push and pull the vacuum over the carpet anymore. I replaced that with a husband who learned how to vacuum. Except he says that vacuuming the stairs is an "odious" task.

Princess.
Another remedy is the robot vacuum that is a little pricey ,but a good investment . I runs along the floor and vac's for you . Just a thought . Hubby is good too.

Renee

Funny, Renee, the robot. Good idea! I wonder if my doggies would think it is another pet?