Exercise For Those Over 35

While reading Nick's post on old age, aches, and those strange noises that appear when you get older, I just had to snicker.

I have to tell you that sometimes when I bend down to pick something up I wonder who is providing the sound effects, that "oof" or sound of bones cracking, the groan when I rise from a squatting position, the amount of time it takes to completely straighten up from a seated position.

Keeping flexible is becoming more of a priority as time goes by so when a dear friend sent the following information in an email I was very interested:

Just came across this exercise suggested for the over 35's to build muscle strength in the arms and shoulders. It seems so easy so I thought that I'd pass it on to some of my friends and family. The article suggested doing it three days a week.

1. Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 2lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, then relax.

2. Each day, you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 5lb potato bag. Then 25lb potato bag and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 50lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute

(I'm at this level).

3. After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each of the bags.


I'm starting next week. No need to be too hasty.

I'm not that girl anymore...

Hello, I'm so glad you're here! Are you wondering what the title of this blog means?
The title of this blog means that one day I woke up, and I wasn't that girl anymore!

One day, I woke up and:

• I was 49 (Lord! How did that happen?),
• I had gray hairs not only on my head, but in places you REALLY don't want gray hair,
• I made noises when raising from a squatting position and lifting things with even the slightest bit of weight to them,
• I had my own personal heating system,
• I was addressed by the title, "ma'am" and referred to as "that lady" (terms I remember using myself as a child),
• I couldn't walk in heels (I thought that talent was akin to riding a bicycle, but no...),
• I developed an interest in watching "Dr. Phil",
• Everyone was suddenly younger as opposed to older,
• I was invisible. Actually I wasn't really invisible but people seemed to develop an ability to look past or through me.

The invisibility was what told me I was not THAT girl anymore. Now, I don't mean that girl in a Marlo Thomas sort of way but rather, that girl that is noticed, listened to, seen, appreciated for her ability to breath. I wasn't that girl who was young!

If you visit with me awhile, you'll be treated to my ramblings about things I think, see, remember, overhear (you hear a lot when you're invisible) and notice. It won't always be time to play the violins, but it will always be from the vantage point of a woman who's -not that girl anymore!