We have all heard, “You’re only as old as you feel”, or “Age is just a number.” I call bullsh*t on both, and I am really tired of hearing them. To me, it feels like a way to make yourself, or someone else, feel better about how old they are. It may seem like a nice gesture, but it dismisses reality. Wouldn’t it be better to say to someone who is fighting the aging process the best they can “You look great!”
I swear this isn’t meant to be negative!
“You’re only as old as you feel.”
Have you ever seen the movie 17 Again with Zac Efron and Matthew Perry? Cute movie. Basic story line is Matthew Perry’s character changes back into his younger self (Zac Efron) in present day. He must deal with things like his daughter, who is the same age, 17, and his wife, who he hits on and it becomes awkward.
He goes from 40ish to 17 overnight. One of the first things Zac Efron says after he realizes the transformation is “I feel great!”
That movie is from 2009. I have seen it probably 5 times. I have thought about that one line, “I feel great!” a couple dozen times (easy) since first seeing that movie.
Okay. I am 54. I feel great. I go to the gym 6 or 7 days a week. For the most part (95%), I watch what I eat. I rarely drink alcohol. I take vitamins B, C, D, Fish oil, and zinc every day. I go to bed at 8:30-9pm, so I can get to the gym by 5:30ish am.
Some mornings I wake up and think my pillow attacked me. My neck, or shoulder, back, or knee, or elbow, or foot will be hurting for no reason. I felt fine when I went to bed???
Getting through a night of sleep without waking up 4 times is unusual.
If I have plans for anything in the evening that possibly might keep me up past 11pm, I will need a nap, maybe two that day. And if I have a couple drinks, I am virtually useless the next day.
It wasn’t until I got older that the bathroom became such an important factor on how my day was going to go.
I feel great but I will never be able to compare how I feel now to how I felt when I was 17, simply because I don’t remember. I do know none of the issues stated were an issue in my younger self.
So how old do I feel? I feel like a 54-year-old who takes care of himself, probably more than
most. I am blessed with great genetics from my parents who are currently 91 and 92 and doing well. I hate my graying hair and the lines in my face getting more pronounced, but that is just vanity.
“Age is just number.”
This one really drives me nuts. I get the idea behind this statement, but it’s really stupid.
I am 54 and a friend is 24. Both are just numbers. We bench press and squat about the same weight. Health and fitness are a major priority in both our lives. He is not married or have kids, or a mortgage. I have all three. I will be lucky to live 30 more years. In 30 years, he will be my current age! He has not reached his physical prime yet, referring to muscle maturity. I am 15 years past my physical prime. Age is a fu*king number!
I was talking with a friend at the gym recently about just this topic. She is in her 50’s as well and takes great care of herself. She made the statement that age is just a number, and I called bullsh*t!
I made this analogy; you have a car and take great care of that car. Oil changes on a schedule. Rotate the tires and all major services at the recommended mileages. Keep it clean and in the garage. Car looks great and runs great. You can have 100k miles and then 200k. If you are lucky, 250k or even 300k miles! Eventually things will start breaking down. Even though it was garage kept, it will start to rust if you ever drove it in the rain or snow. The starter may go, transmission, and countless other issues. Car still looks great and served you well, but miles and age took their toll.
Okay, now I’m depressing myself! This is a positive blog, I swear!
Here’s the positive part!
Fuck it! What are you going to do? Aging is part of life. We are blessed to get to our 50’s, 60’s 70’s, and older. Many don’t. Many people are not physically blessed to exercise every day. I count my blessing and I am truly thankful. Sure, aging can suck but the alternative is way worse.
So, this is my advice: Train hard and often. Eat healthy but also reward your taste buds occasionally. Go on vacations! Make goals and try to attain them. Work hard at your job or career. Enjoy your time with your family and friends. Do not hold grudges and avoid unnecessary confrontations if you can. Say please and thank you as much as you can. Smile often and make people smile. And if you hurt someone or make a mistake, say you are sorry quickly! Be kind to each other.
Time goes by so quickly. I know it’s cliché but so true. Make the most of the time we have on this planet.
So, just to sum things up, age is indeed a number, and you are as old as you are! If you say otherwise, I will probably give you an earful and then apologize! But no matter how old you are, it’s all about attitude.
“Fairy tales can come true It can happen to you If you're young at heart
For it's hard you will find
To be narrow of mind If you're young at heart
…And if you should survive to 105 Think of all you'll derive Out of being alive
And here is the best part You've had a head start If you are among the very Young at heart...”
Peace & Love to all,
The Beast Life
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