OMG--I AM SO SORE

Funny how a 30 year old mind can blithely inhabit a 70 year old body. When I first wake up in the morning and before I move a muscle, I am as young as that 30 year old I once was and am ready for the world. Nothing is beyond my capabilities. Rock climbing? Sure, why not.

Then I move... and those fierce little buzz killers make themselves known. Dang, my back hurts. Who the heck hands are those? Are those spider veins really on MY legs? Ouch, ouch, ouch, put those feet in shoes you idiot. Barefoot'in days are long over.

I won't even go into what happens when I catch my bed haired, pillow wrinkled face in the mirror. You would think that 30 year old mind would get accustomed to what totes it around, but it doesn't. Each day is a surprise.

But then I hide the "sad parts" in clothes and shoes, tame the bed hair, splash color on my lips and can almost fool myself that I am not too afar of my 30 year old mind. If I am not careful however, that 70 year old body listens to that idiotic young mind.

Little hint here, I take off my glasses for that last minute mirror inspection. Not so sharp eyesight really take off the rough edges and I walk out the door fairly confident.

Recently in the paper, there was a notice that Strong Women classes were being offered by the University of Arkansas via the County Extension Office. These classes touted exercise using weights to help build strong bones and bodies. Being as it was geared for mature women, I was thrilled. Winter has been pretty severe and I have really gone dormant along with the trees. This was just what I needed.

I talked two friends into joining me, Annie and Jean. Jean in her early 40's and Annie in her early 60's are members of my support group. I felt equal to them till at the assessment meeting when I discovered that because I was 70, I was going to need a doctors excuse to even participate.

What an ego buster. That was equivalent to when I was first offered a senior discount or when AARP added me to their mailing list. Fortunately, out side of Cancer, I am pretty healthy and on no medications so my doctor readily approved me with out an exam. That helped to boost my sagging confidence.

So we bought our dumbbells, ankle weights and exercise mats and prepared to get "Strong". The class was full of mature women with a couple actually older than I am. The instructor, a young, skinny lady in her late 20's very patiently led us through almost 2 hours of exercises. The individual exercises were not difficult though one really hurt my back. Hopefully that will get better as I get more flexible.

The exercises had an accumulative effect though and we all were feeling it. I turned to Annie late in the class and teased her. There are 3 months of these classes and I asked her if her husband realized he would not be "getting any" for the next 12 weeks. Pretty sure, "Not tonight dear, I'm too sore," was heard a lot that evening.

Possibly the most demoralizing thing we did were the balance exercises. We were to walk in a straight line, heel smacking toe. Sound easy?? Had the sheriff's department stumbled in on us then, we would have all been arrested for public intoxication. Now I realize some people may fail the sobriety test not because they are drunk, they just might be old. I plan to practice one that a lot. Standing on one leg like a stork also needs work. Eyesight may be the first to go but balance is right behind it.

So here I sit "liquored up" by pain killers and wondering just what was I thinking. I know things will get easier and I really will gain strength which is a good thing. If "no pain, no gain" is true then I "gained" a LOT today. Think I will go practice that heel to toe thing while I can still move.

Hum, just read in today's paper where there will be training classes for a 5 K, walk/run for women. Think I will sign up for that 12 week course also. Surely it can't hurt any worse reasons my 30 year old brain.

Will my brain ever grow up?? Doubt it and really hope not.

Have you let your 30 year old mind talk you into something you temporarily regretted??

To those of you under thirty or even forty, what can I say but enjoy.

I want to thank all of you who stopped by when I wasn't at home. It was heartening reading your comments. My computer guy was recovering from surgery so his wife has put band aids on my computer which will hopefully last till he is back on his feet. My computer will be limping along for the next two weeks but so far, it is functional.

Oh yes, time has past since I wrote today's post on paper. I know--- how strange was that? Pen and ink, what a concept. Yesterday in my second class, I discovered the whole class was aching also. While not good for them, it made me feel a LOT better. Today, almost all pain is gone and I am more in tune with that 30 year old mind again. Yes!!!! That "yes" was accompanied by an almost vigorous fist pump. Guess this exercise thing is working.

Now I want to go play catch up on your blogs. I have missed you.