My oldest child, Rita, is turning 36 tomorrow. I’m having a hard time believing it because I remember the days events like they were yesterday. I’m very proud of the woman and Mother she has become, and wish her a super day.
One of the reasons I exercise is to keep my brain working and as sharp as possible; a lifetime of memories are something that I don’t want to lose. By the way, in a study of 155 women, published in the Jan 25, 2010 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, strength-trained women (once or twice a week) outperformed the other group, who did balance and toning exercises with the same frequency. After a year, the strength-trained group showed significant gains in various measures of mental performance compared with the other group.
My wife, son and I had dinner last Friday with a couple that we see once or twice a year-we’ve known them for many years. As we perused the menus, I looked around, amused, and realized how much older we’ve all become; not because we look or act much older, but by the way everyone pulled out there reading glasses to order their food. It’s funny the things you notice; the glasses and the discussion, which invariably leads to health-related topics, etc. The other gentleman had his arm in a sling due to a recent shoulder injury which occurred three weeks ago from (can you believe it?) turning a screw. He felt a ‘pop’ and that was it; probably needs surgery. He has had several orthopedic issues in the past including knee surgery, back problems, and other health problems. I feel bad for him, and have urged him for years to make exercise an integral part of his life. Unfortunately he hasn’t. I know that exercise would have prevented most, if not all of his orthopedic problems. He now says that he wants to start as soon as he heals, and I hope he does. The human body can be very forgiving if given the proper attention.
I guess I’m finally a grown-up now (it’s nice having a 12 year-old at home-it keeps me feeling younger).
Stay well (and young), John R Blilie, M.S.