Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Aging Gracefully?

Today is Husband’s 48th birthday. I’ll be turning 44 later this week. The kids somehow lost track of our age and were aghast to find out that we’re *that old*. Sure, we're no spring chickens, but I also don’t think we’re *that old*.

So, in honor of our birthday week, I will share a few thoughts on things that make me feel old vs. things that make me feel young.

Things that Make Me Feel Old

1) Watching my kids grow up. As I watch them grow older, it hits me that I must be growing older too. Son will likely leave the house in a year and a half. Daughter will be following a few years later. Where does the time go?

2) Sports injuries. The truth is, over-forties are more prone to injury and take longer to heal. I’m to be reminded of that every 4-6 months or so it seems.

3) Looking in the mirror. The grey hair. The wrinkles. The pudgy tummy. Definitely a different reflection than I saw 10 years ago. Perhaps this relates somehow to my obsession with cute workout clothes?

Things that Make Me Feel Young

1) Strength work at the gym. I’m able to see strength progress at the gym more quickly than speed progress or flexibility progress. I really don’t feel like a 40-something woman when I’m working out at the gym. Instead, I feel strong and youthful.

2) Long easy runs. Sometimes I feel like I can keep going and going at my slow easy pace. Kinda’ like the energizer bunny, only in slow-motion.

3) Being silly - in my mind, this is simply the opposite of being serious. Joking around, wearing an elmo hat on a run, dancing in the living room, making faces at the kids, “woohoo-ing” at friends at races, things like that. Perhaps these things make me look like a fool, but they make me feel vibrant.

28 comments:

  1. Holy crap, thanks for reminding me that I hit the big double fours this year too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. the important thing is that you're having fun :) Happy early birthday to you and happy bday to hubby today!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's funny-- when I was younger I thought 40 was so old but now that I'm almost 30 I call people in their fifties "young." It's all about perspective. Thanks for sharing the things that make you feel young-- a good reminder to keep up the workouts!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy Birthday to Hubby! (and you too, soon)

    That's a great list.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't feel old. I do notice the signs of aging more than ever. Primarily, my skin doesn't heal like it used to. I'm still sporting chain marks from last summer! ROFL...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Birthday!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy birthday to Husband - we are twins (only I'm way younger LOL) and yo you too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well, they say 40 is the new 20 so that means you'll only really be 24. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. WOOHOO for birthdays!!!

    Being silly is so much fun!!!

    I want to go to there!!!!! ALL THE TIME!!!!

    Celebrate and HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHICA!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. If it makes you feel better I have the things in #3 as well and I'm 29. Seriously it was like one day mother nature poured the salt and pepper shaker over my head :-/ And don't even get me started with the pooch. Oy.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Mr and to you ;D ;D

    ReplyDelete
  11. Just remember it's not about age, it's about attitude...great list and happy birthday to your husband from someone who just hit the 4-0 a few months ago...

    ReplyDelete
  12. I so remember when I used to say things like that to my parents...ahh how times change, now I think they are young at 60..I mean they ride 4 wheelers!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy birthday to the hubby and happy early birthday to you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy birthday to you both!

    MCM Mama

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your only as old as you feel.....

    I feel 25!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I tease my parents all the time about "being old." But in reality I want to be able to be as active as my mom is now when I'm her age!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Old is just a number. I turn 46 in April, but look at the runners in their 60's and 70's and say to myself, "Self, if you can be in half the shape they are at their age, you'll be doing great." Then the body starts complaining.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a great list. You earned those "make me feel young" items!

    Happy birthday(s)!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Happy early Birthday!

    I'll be 40 this year and I feel better than I did at 30.
    One reason I started running again was b/c I wanted to feel good as I get older and being skinny makes me look younger :-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lisa.. Happy birthday to both of you! I loved this post!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Happy pre b-day to you and happy
    b-day to the hubby..

    Yeah, Everytime I go to the barber shop all I see is white hair coming down.

    But I do think it takes being in our 40's to figure out what is important in our lives these days.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The older I get, the more I realize age doesn't matter. I feel the same as I did when I was 20.....still waiting to "growup" :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Just remember, you're only as "old" as you let yourself feel. Wait until you hit your fabulous 50s! Then you may look back on yourself now and think how young you were!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Happy Birthday to my dear fellow Aquarians. Stop worrying about aging gracefully. You will. We are gorgeous at any age! LOL

    Hope you are having a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Happy Birthday to both of you!!

    And I can definitely relate to a lot of what you wrote about getting older. But when I was younger, I was always working so hard that I hardly took any time to have much fun. There are some benefits to getting older (and a whole lot wiser :-)

    ReplyDelete