From Boomer to Senior

I heard about a book today, a book called Younger Next Year: A Guide to Living Like 50 Until You're 80 and Beyond. Well, now, that sounds interesting!

I've been reading about the book, but don't have the book yet. Obviously there is exercise involved. STOP! Don't go away, keep reading. I know a lot of people don't like to exercise but, as one reviewer wrote on amazon.com about the book (and I'm paraphrasing), I'd rather exercise every day than live a debilitated life when I'm old, assume I make it to "old."

If you're interested in learning how to slow down the aging process, physically that is, not chronologically, then this may be the book for you. The original is written for men, but now there's a women's version, too. Here are some choices for you, including an audio version and a journal.

Younger Next Year: A Guide to Living Like 50 Until You're 80 and Beyond
Younger Next Year for Women
Younger Next Year for Women - Audio CD Version
Younger Next Year Journal: Start Now and Live the Promise Day-by-Day

I've had a problem with aging. Well, maybe it would be more accurate to say I've had a problem coping with aging; time continues to pass and I continue to get older with little or no effort at all, so the actual aging part just seems to take care of itself.

Empty-nest syndrome has played a big role in my problem, I believe. It's been three years since both of our boys left home and after the first year I thought I had more-or-less conquered that adjustment. I learned to cook smaller quantities (eating leftovers isn't my favorite thing to do) and the lower utility bills quickly became a very welcome change (heating water for two showers a day uses a lot less gas than four or five or even six a day). However, even though the boys stay in touch regularly, I still miss them and sometimes I miss them terribly. So I give myself only a C+ in coping with my empty nest.

The physical aspect of aging has been a really tough thing to adjust to. My body just isn't as young as it used to be. The little aches and pains added in with the gray hair and the thickening of my measurements around the middle all seem to have come upon me at once. I try not to complain, but my dear husband would tell you that I do. I'll tell you that I don't complain to him nearly as much as I could. Some of it I have brought on myself because I know I'd feel better physically if I would work out regularly, but I don't do it. So, I give myself a C in coping with physical aging. (I could bring that grade up to B+ if I'd just get off my rear and get it in gear.)

They say you're only as old as you feel. Some days I feel in my head that I'm 30 again (30 was much better than 20; I wouldn't want to repeat my 20s) and then other days I look in the mirror and suddenly feel in my head that I must be at least 80. I know I don't look 80, but the changes make me feel like I'd might as well be 80. So I guess the mental grade is the grade I need to work on; sometimes I would definitely give myself a big fat F, then other times I actually almost feel like an A+.

Overall I guess I average out to about a C+, so I suppose high average isn't so bad. And knowing that I could bring that grade up with a few little lifestyle changes, changes in both the mental and the physical areas, actually perks me up a bit and motivates me some. They say that confession is good for the soul, so maybe confessing my shortcomings in the coping arena here will be a good thing in the long run for my body, my mind, and my soul. I hope so, because one thing I do know is that I intend to keep on aging, which certainly does beat the alternative.

Health and safety for baby boomers is a big topic that warrants a lens of its own. Now, why didn't I think of that?

(Actually, I did. You can find that lens here!)

We won! Squid-oodles of thanks to GrillGirl for nominating Boomer to Senior for Baby Boomer Lens of the Week for June 16, 2007, and thanks to our supporters for voting.

If you have a favorite Baby Boomer lens, be sure to visit Baby Boomers - Rockin' the World and place your nomination. Many thanks to Giddygabby, who does a great job keeping us baby boomers organized on the group site! She really rocks!

All original content is copyright 2007 Susan52, all rights reserved.
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