A discussion for people over 60: Let's focus on what we can do

Sounds lovely - where you walked and shared the eagles flight path. I chuckle at your observations / astute!
I enjoy sharing and get a lot from the forums. Thank you for making it possible. I will probably write occasionally because I work.
The latest activity I am cultivating is my spin bike ride time….good to use when watching TV
But my muscles need build so I am at 5-10 mins of mild. I have build up by doing less and being gentle. A surprise for this runner who was used to the push…🏃🏼‍♀️ Thanks

Thanks, Janet Love to hear from a kindred spirit; I dance every morning using all parts of my body; I just cannot sit still when Chuck Berry starts belting out " Roll Over Beethoven" or Little Richard does " Good Golly Miss Molly" or sway to Pat Boones croon. Here is the really interesting part: I have dizzy head all the time, sometimes worse than others; I use a cane to walk because my balance is not good at all. BUT, when I start to dance, I do not even notice it. and I really do some moving around. The only thing I can figure is: the same sensation when someone who stutters can sing perfectly without stuttering. This has got to be a brain/body/rhythm thing of some kind; anyway, I am so gratefull to be able to move and dance and do so enjoy it. Good dancing and smiling to you.

In reading your post - I became concerned. Why? Because what was said feels so challenged - I empathize. Another time for that story but what helped me get back on my building of core strength (+) was to do something everyday. A lot of times I could just manage minutes of movement. So I decided to do less but do it everyday to s l o w l y work on my core…
So I had a short sweet routine , under 5 minutes which kept me in touch with my body and feeling like I could possibly do this. The question I kept asking of myself was, how little will it take for me to feel like I am connected to the movement? Focus came. But mostly I left off the expectations.
Hold emotional space for success!

True, so many challenges and by now; too many flooded me to allow healing from one before the next started. But as they say; baby steps. I felt some muscles yesterday and was amazed I still have them! But apparently they still are here, they work, and I could feel them. It was not pain, just a pleasant 'Hey, we're here!' 💖

I love the topic, focus on what we can do! I just got back from Canada where I did some short hikes and a five hour horseback ride in the mountains.

The last few years were rough, cancer, GI, neuro issues…. And the fatigue that goes with all diseases. My life seemed to revolve around clinic appointments. But last fall I set goal of going to Vancouver / Whistler / Banff area of Canada.

But first, needed to build up my muscles and endurance. First attempt at exercise class failed, and gave up. Tried again in Jan and found a class where I could go at my own pace. If had to sit down, I did. I adapted the exercises to what I could do. As long as I was moving, it was better than sitting at home on sofa. Slowly got some muscles back and build up endurance.

Then the tour I was going on got cancelled. I did not let that stop me. I use to travel all over the world for work, if I could do it then, no reason could not do now. My biggest fear was if I had a medical issues while traveling alone, so I invited a niece along and created our own tour of Vancouver and Whistler area. She was 23, just graduated from college and training for a marathon, I am 67 and just happy to be able to still do things.

My goal was to go horseback riding since I had not done so for 20 years. Granted, I needed to get up on a stump to get on horse, but so did my niece. It was highlight of trip for me.

I will continue to work on building endurance and battling fatigue, but looking forward to next adventure.

Laurie

I love the topic, focus on what we can do! I just got back from Canada where I did some short hikes and a five hour horseback ride in the mountains.

The last few years were rough, cancer, GI, neuro issues…. And the fatigue that goes with all diseases. My life seemed to revolve around clinic appointments. But last fall I set goal of going to Vancouver / Whistler / Banff area of Canada.

But first, needed to build up my muscles and endurance. First attempt at exercise class failed, and gave up. Tried again in Jan and found a class where I could go at my own pace. If had to sit down, I did. I adapted the exercises to what I could do. As long as I was moving, it was better than sitting at home on sofa. Slowly got some muscles back and build up endurance.

Then the tour I was going on got cancelled. I did not let that stop me. I use to travel all over the world for work, if I could do it then, no reason could not do now. My biggest fear was if I had a medical issues while traveling alone, so I invited a niece along and created our own tour of Vancouver and Whistler area. She was 23, just graduated from college and training for a marathon, I am 67 and just happy to be able to still do things.

My goal was to go horseback riding since I had not done so for 20 years. Granted, I needed to get up on a stump to get on horse, but so did my niece. It was highlight of trip for me.

I will continue to work on building endurance and battling fatigue, but looking forward to next adventure.

Laurie

I love the topic, focus on what we can do! I just got back from Canada where I did some short hikes and a five hour horseback ride in the mountains.

The last few years were rough, cancer, GI, neuro issues…. And the fatigue that goes with all diseases. My life seemed to revolve around clinic appointments. But last fall I set goal of going to Vancouver / Whistler / Banff area of Canada.

But first, needed to build up my muscles and endurance. First attempt at exercise class failed, and gave up. Tried again in Jan and found a class where I could go at my own pace. If had to sit down, I did. I adapted the exercises to what I could do. As long as I was moving, it was better than sitting at home on sofa. Slowly got some muscles back and build up endurance.

Then the tour I was going on got cancelled. I did not let that stop me. I use to travel all over the world for work, if I could do it then, no reason could not do now. My biggest fear was if I had a medical issues while traveling alone, so I invited a niece along and created our own tour of Vancouver and Whistler area. She was 23, just graduated from college and training for a marathon, I am 67 and just happy to be able to still do things.

My goal was to go horseback riding since I had not done so for 20 years. Granted, I needed to get up on a stump to get on horse, but so did my niece. It was highlight of trip for me.

I will continue to work on building endurance and battling fatigue, but looking forward to next adventure.

Laurie

Hello to you and @janet7 - Here is one of my favorite dance stories of all time. My husband & I dance, and when in Texas (pre-Covid) we hit the floor for every old-time band that came to town, along with a fair share of the country and rock-and-roll groups.

We danced often with a couple from the Midwest who were great characters, he always wore his German had, bermuda shorts with suspenders (not Lederhosen) and knee high white compression socks. One evening our favorite polka band from Iowa was playing a gig, and said "we're playing song especially this for the Joneses (not their name) for their 67th wedding anniversary." They stepped out onto the floor and danced their way around with the rest of us. When the music ended, they were quite far from their table, so his wife called out "Bring his wheelchair! Ha can't walk that far." They got a round of applause and roars of laughter!

It is not uncommon to see walkers awaiting dancers at the edge of the dance floor - once they even had to bring me my crutches - I was dancing a fox trot just 2 weeks after hip replacement surgery.

I cheer for anyone who keeps dancing, with or without a partner. Line dancing is very popular in Winter Texan communities because many either have lost their partner, or the partner can no longer dance.

Keep on dancing!
Sue

I love that realization! Congrats. Yesterday I realized that I could squat down to get a little plant to give to my 2 yo neighbor (so he could have "his own" flower in his Grandma's garden - and I was able to stand up! 3 weeks of daily work, a little at a time, in the garden is helping.
On Friday a friend came to visit and was impressed that I had gotten so much done - I told her some days it's only an hour, in 10-15 minute "bits" depending on how I feel, but eventually it gets done. Today my goal is to plant a few new plants in the perennial garden to fill some holes.
Sue