😂 And a body to get me there
Clad in our N95 masks, we braved through the haze to spend the day at Gardens by the Bay. Outside the Gardens, we choked from the when-will-it-end haze. Inside, for a brief few hours, we forgot all our distress and enjoyed the soothing comfort of a no-need-to-prove-anything friendship that spans over 50 years. We stopped at Shake Shack for my favourite 🍔 burger, then to Jurassic Nest for a cup of aromatic local kopi ☕️ (no thank you to branded coffee🥤). The occasion was my belated birthday celebration but really we didn’t need a birthday as a reason to meet.
It’s not all that often that Catherine and I meet but when we do, it’s like slipping into my old seasoned pyjamas. We had a spontaneous conversation. We picked up from where we left off with ease. We talked about how we are doing and our relationship with God. Catherine and I committed our lives to Jesus at about the same time in our early teens. We bemoaned our knee pain and body aches. We talked about what we wanted to eat for lunch. We listened to each other as we talked about our families, about taking care of our Mums, and about being not ready to let them go.
We talked about our hopes and dreams, the things we wished to see for the remainder of our lives.
We hadn’t listed down our bucket list but one thing was clear: whether we want to travel or write a book or… it would take a healthy body to get us there. I don’t have to look long and hard to be reminded what “old” looks like. I live in what we call the Silver Zone – many elderly people live around my neighbourhood. They hunch and hobble with their walking sticks or get chauffeured around on their wheelchairs by their maids👩🏻🦽➡️. I feel for them. It’s a frightful future I don’t want for myself.
What is the life I want when I am 70, 80, 90…
I put a lot of research and serious thought to what it would take to stay mobile, independent and free. I joined an online Mobility Movement community and made it convenient for me to MOVE. My new mindset about exercise and fitness makes so much sense and so freeing. I love the concept of Build Your Life Around Movement.
I turned corners of my home into little Mobility Movement stations.
For the past month, I started my day with stretches and movement instead of sitting in front of my desk. I tell my body: Hey, body, MOVE! I moved my computer to an adjustable table – the default is set at standing position. I’d like to be squatting (more about this in my next post) but my body is a long way from where I want it to be. Movement snacks are now sprinkled throughout my day. Just 3 minutes here, 5 minutes there. Stretch, bend, hang, twist. Nothing long or stressful.
A low-budget gym right at home
A poster from my sister-in-law hangs in my study: A tiny change today brings a dramatically different tomorrow. I’m still on a learning journey. My whole perspective about fitness and exercise has changed. I hope to change the trajectory of my not sick-sick but not well-well physical condition to a healthier one.
In my next post, I will share SEVEN things about Mobility Movement – what it is and why I think seniors especially need to give it serious consideration.
Movement is independence.
Disclaimer: This is NOT medical advice! You are responsible to do your own research.