Not as good as I used to be

By PATTIE MIHALIK

newsgirl@comcast.net

My husband occasionally complains that he can't do the things he used to do.

He says he can't get out of a kayak as easily as he once could, and his knees keep reminding him that he's not the athlete he used to be.

I pooh-pooh his complaints when he sings that old "I'm not the man I used to be" song. I remind him that he can do much more than others his age.

That's no consolation for a man who has always thrived on activity. I have always joked that if David ever sat still for any length of time his body would disintegrate. He doesn't know how to sit still.

I go to the beach with my girlfriends instead of David because sitting still in front of the ocean doesn't appeal to him. He has to stay in motion.

And to tell the truth, that's one of the main things that attracted me to him. I, too, have always thrived on activity. I'm happiest when I am active, so we're a matched set.

But I do understand his consternation about not being able to do the things we could do a few years ago. Little by little, I've had to give up some of the things I once enjoyed.

Even though I especially love fast-paced sports, I've had to put away my tennis and pickleball rackets because the sudden sprints and abrupt stops heighten my lower back problems.

I tell myself I'm only staying away from those activities "temporarily" until my back is better, but I know I'm kidding myself.

I have to accept that I am no longer the "kid" who could play tennis in the morning then go to zumba class in the afternoon and biking after that.

A few weeks ago I had the chance to be a kid all over again and was crestfallen to find I couldn't do it.

Across the country there has been a resurgence of the hula-hoop craze that was once so popular decades ago. But this time the hoopers aren't little kids they're big kids, better known in some circles as adults.

Here in my part of Florida, there's a surplus of "big kids" looking to have fun, so we're a natural fit for hooping.

Sunday night at our local beach we have a weekly drum circle. A dozen or so drummers supply the rhythm and dozens of men and women dance in the circle with hula hoops.

I talked with hoopers in their 60s, 70s and even 80s, and they told of losing weight while having fun hooping.

They said the magic words losing weight and fun. I was intrigued enough to want to try it as well as to write about it.

The hula hoop class was filled with happy, laughing adults who could remember when their kids played with hula hoops. Now it was their turn.

They twirled, spun and danced to upbeat music, looking like kids on a playground enjoying recess. Of course I had to join them.

I have to say it was so much fun and I did feel like a kid again until that night when my painful back shouted at me that I was no longer young.

It grieved me to admit the sideways motion of hooping was too tough on my back.

I told the class I was "temporarily" dropping out while I went to a specialist for my back pain.

The specialist thinks physical therapy and an exercise program might improve my back.

I'm a believer. I'm one of those people who believe faithful exercise can help us more than a pain pill.

Maybe I'll be back someday to tennis, pickleball and other strenuous pursuits. I'll give it my all.

I just read a health magazine where a noted physician said those over 50 need to double their exercise, not cut down on it. He listed a lot of physical and mental benefits that exercise brings, suggesting when one activity becomes too hard, another type of exercise needs to take its place.

It's advice I find easy to take as I have to eliminate some of my activities.

Even with limitations, I never believe my glass is half empty. It's always half full. In fact, I feel like my glass is brimming full.

I don't spend much time moaning about what I can't do because there is so much I can do. I can bike 20 miles, kayak for miles and dance for hours. For that I am grateful.

I will always be grateful for every movement I can do. The older I get, the more I say thank you for gifts such as being able to walk.

I no longer take anything for granted. The way I look at it, that's a positive thing.

Being thankful for every day, for every opportunity, and for every activity and encounter brings a keen satisfaction with life.

So what if we can't do what we did when we were younger. Life is rich in opportunities and there is so much we can do to enjoy life.

Maybe you'll see me someday at the beach twirling a hula hoop with the rest of the "older kids."

But even if that doesn't happen, I'll still be a happy kid, ever so grateful for this second childhood that I am privileged to live.