I love a quiz, so I nearly always take those end-of-the-year/start-of-the-new-year evaluations of various things: Number of books read in 2023, amount of money saved for retirement, all the states I traveled to in a year.
So I’ve been eyeing this Washington Post headline since it dropped on New Year’s Day: “Are you in good shape for your age?”
Sure, I said to myself. Of course I am. Um … right?
After all, I was a varsity athlete all through college (field hockey – Go, Cats!), though it’s been a pretty long time. I ran my first half marathon at 52 and did four total before the effects of two earlier knee surgeries caught up with me. I love yoga, swimming and biking, but I have to admit that last year was pretty rough on both my commitment and consistency.
So I wasn’t sure what the WaPo quiz would show me.
Balance – check. I can stand on one foot for a lot longer than 30 seconds, the goal for my age.
Mobility? Well, getting up from a chair with no hands is pretty easy for me, if you don’t mind the crackling of my knees. Goal was 13 in 30 seconds; I managed 16.
My stamina is good if you consider walking a mile in 17 minutes good; my watch tells me that’s a pretty fast pace for me.
Grip strength? My son’s chin-up bar is long gone from the upstairs hallway, but I could probably hang on it for at least 10 seconds, the minimum for my age group.
The quiz measures overall fitness by doing burpees, at least five in 30 seconds. I’m not doing burpees, not even for you, dear readers.
I guess that means that, overall, the news is good.
But the fitness quiz got me thinking: What if we measured what really keeps us in good shape – emotionally and mentally, as well as physically? What would be included in that quiz?
I’ll start:
Number of early morning walks in the forest with a friend; at least one per week. Bonus points for going for coffee together afterward.
Starting a new novel on a weeknight and realizing that it’s going to be a good one, because you look up and realize it’s already midnight. Repeat at least monthly.
Remembering to handwrite a birthday note to an out-of-town friend in enough time that it actually arrives by mail before her birthday. Aiming for monthly, a tall order.
Never missing a choir rehearsal, even if I think I don’t feel like going. Singing in a group was once something I did without thinking much about it; now it’s a highlight of my week.
So along with mobility and grip strength, let me add connection and noticing. I have a feeling those skills will only become more and more important to my overall fitness.
How about you?
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Happy New Year, friends, and thank you so much for supporting this conversation. I’ll look forward to reading everything you write in the comments, including suggestions for columns you’d like to read. And maybe consider becoming a paid subscriber?
Thanks, again.
Agreed, Burpees are for the birds and not old ones like me. :)
I deeply appreciate the added goals relative to connection, indulgence and handwritten notes. I love to receive one, I work hard to send them and will work hard to do more of that.
I also find that every time I am with strong women, I feel fueled, safe and seen. I want to do more of that in 2024. My word for the year is STRETCH. Stretch my body, my brain, my comfort, my goals, my periods of rest, my arms around others.
Love Telling My Age, and you, LK.
I require a power nap at least once a day, sometimes twice. Or at least an hour of silence.