My 41 Year Old Body

Rating: 0 after 1 vote

My 41-year-old body

Is it just me or is my 41-year-old body giving out on me? Last year, I was an athletic rock star, I won a tennis tournament, I ran a half marathon - I felt great as if I could do anything. This summer I was plagued with plantar fasciitis, stiff neck, sore lower back, and sore hips, to name a few. With every drip of sweat an injury followed.

First I must deal w/ my feet. Plantar fasciitis is killing me. Every morning I wake up and it feels like there are steel posts shooting up the heels of my feet. Physio appointment is booked. I also need to find myself a new form of exercise that doesn’t involve using the heels of my feet – go figure! I think spinning will work. I have done a few classes and they seem, pant, to, pant, be, pant, working, pant. I enjoy the camaraderie of spinning but I miss the convenience of running. Any other suggestions?

Now for the rest of my body…I think yoga is the answer. As a mom I always treat September as my “new year” so this September my new years resolution is going to involve a weekly yoga session. Do I have what it takes to Zen out and enjoy the many benefits of yoga? I am definitely not sure, but it seems like my cardio loving body is asking for some spirituality combined with core strength.

As this is the first day in three months that I am not blessed by the company of my lovely children all day every day, the regime has begun. Think good thoughts for me please.

Tags: exercise, resolutions, spinning, yoga

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marnie Gaertner on September 19, 2009 at 8:07am: I too have a 41 year old body and the 5 days a week of exercise has taken a toll on my knees. I do incorporate 1 day a week of yoga and I love it. I have always wanted to try just 4 days of yoga and no other exercise to see what happens. The women I see who do only yoga look fabulous, maybe yoga is the answer for us! Just keep believing that you are only 28, it works really. Good Luck to you!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Laura Rucker on September 19, 2009 at 10:27pm: I'm so glad I stumbled across this post.

My 41-year-old body is slowing down big time. I can lose the extra 12 pounds anytime I want to but it takes A LOT more effort to do this than in the past.

Also, I can't sit with my legs criss-crossed without limping and hobbling when I stand up again. To me, this is too young to have this crap happening. Or am I wrong?

Perhaps I'm not getting enough exercise?

Just my two cents.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ECHOage on September 20, 2009 at 11:51am: Thank Laura,
I think it sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I have now done 2 yoga classes and I am really enjoying it. You should try it, it might help with the creaky legs.
Cheers,
Roz

Laura Rucker said:
I'm so glad I stumbled across this post.

My 41-year-old body is slowing down big time. I can lose the extra 12 pounds anytime I want to but it takes A LOT more effort to do this than in the past.

Also, I can't sit with my legs criss-crossed without limping and hobbling when I stand up again. To me, this is too young to have this crap happening. Or am I wrong?

Perhaps I'm not getting enough exercise?

Just my two cents.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ECHOage on September 20, 2009 at 11:53am: I agree Marnie - why do all yoga people look great? I saw my cousin this summer, she does yoga 4x a week and she says she has never felt healthier. She looks great too.
Roz

Marnie Gaertner said:
I too have a 41 year old body and the 5 days a week of exercise has taken a toll on my knees. I do incorporate 1 day a week of yoga and I love it. I have always wanted to try just 4 days of yoga and no other exercise to see what happens. The women I see who do only yoga look fabulous, maybe yoga is the answer for us! Just keep believing that you are only 28, it works really. Good Luck to you!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Laura Rucker on September 20, 2009 at 4:21pm: Hi Roz,

Really? I'm not the only one with creaky bones at the tender age of 41? Wow! I thought I was getting old faster than people my age. Cool!

Yes, I'd LOVE to try yoga.

Great idea! Thanks Roz!

Laura

ECHOage said:
Thank Laura,
I think it sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I have now done 2 yoga classes and I am really enjoying it. You should try it, it might help with the creaky legs.
Cheers,
Roz

Laura Rucker said:
I'm so glad I stumbled across this post.

My 41-year-old body is slowing down big time. I can lose the extra 12 pounds anytime I want to but it takes A LOT more effort to do this than in the past.

Also, I can't sit with my legs criss-crossed without limping and hobbling when I stand up again. To me, this is too young to have this crap happening. Or am I wrong?

Perhaps I'm not getting enough exercise?

Just my two cents.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Keli Honsberger on September 21, 2009 at 7:36pm: Swimming is a great alternative as is water running if you get tired (no pun intended) of spinning. Enjoy your yoga, and time off from the kids. My youngest finally started back at preschool last week and even though it's only 2 1/2 hours a day, I did the happy dance.

Keli

http://marinbreakfastklub.wordpress.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ECHOage on September 22, 2009 at 11:00am: Thanks Keli,
I have had a few people recommend water running. I'll look into it.
Roz

Keli Honsberger said:
Swimming is a great alternative as is water running if you get tired (no pun intended) of spinning. Enjoy your yoga, and time off from the kids. My youngest finally started back at preschool last week and even though it's only 2 1/2 hours a day, I did the happy dance.

Keli

http://marinbreakfastklub.wordpress.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Heather Cabot on September 23, 2009 at 10:19am: Sending good thoughts your way....I was thinking about this post when I opted for the pool this morning instead of my usual run or spinning class. I LOVE spinning - but it can also be tough on the knees. My issue is that I've had chronic Achilles tendinitis and it's acting up again. So like you, I decided I really need to change up my routine or at least add in some new elements.
I think it's really about listening to your body. My body needs exercise to stay relaxed, to help me sleep and in general, to keep me in a good mood. I know you how you feel when you can't stick to your usual regimen. It's tough but sounds like you are on the right track. Go for it!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ECHOage on September 23, 2009 at 1:40pm: Thanks Heather - I am looking for ways to get in a pool - the perfect scenario would be a community pool that I don't have to join. Jogging is so inexpensive everything else seems to cost.
Good thoughts to you too.
Roz

Heather Cabot said:
Sending good thoughts your way....I was thinking about this post when I opted for the pool this morning instead of my usual run or spinning class. I LOVE spinning - but it can also be tough on the knees. My issue is that I've had chronic Achilles tendinitis and it's acting up again. So like you, I decided I really need to change up my routine or at least add in some new elements.
I think it's really about listening to your body. My body needs exercise to stay relaxed, to help me sleep and in general, to keep me in a good mood. I know you how you feel when you can't stick to your usual regimen. It's tough but sounds like you are on the right track. Go for it!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kathleen Hogg on September 24, 2009 at 10:46am: I hear your pain. My epidural went wrong w/ my second baby and I have suffered from Chronic Neuropathic Pain ever since. I was a size 4 for most of my life bordering on a size 2 and then this happened. My body has started to gain unexplained weight and people keep asking me when the baby is due. Why do people do that?
Anyway, I wish I had been more grateful about my body pre-kids, but youth is wasted on the young. We are getting older and it sucks, but just keep active, try to stay positive and keep on going!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ECHOage on September 24, 2009 at 10:56am: Thanks Kathleen. Sorry to hear about your epidural troubles. Are they permanent? Is there something you can do to deal with the problems?
You really put things into perspective, I am lucky to know that I have an alternative and that there is a ligt at the end of my tunnel.
Thanks,
Roz

Kathleen Hogg said:
I hear your pain. My epidural went wrong w/ my second baby and I have suffered from Chronic Neuropathic Pain ever since. I was a size 4 for most of my life bordering on a size 2 and then this happened. My body has started to gain unexplained weight and people keep asking me when the baby is due. Why do people do that?
Anyway, I wish I had been more grateful about my body pre-kids, but youth is wasted on the young. We are getting older and it sucks, but just keep active, try to stay positive and keep on going!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lea Curtes-Swenson on September 24, 2009 at 12:05pm: Oh Roz, I am feeling everyone's pain, too! Speaking of yoga, I've had two serious shoulder injuries doing certain weight-bearing poses -- I think it really depends on the class, the type of yoga and the instructor, but it can be quite strenuous. Not the relaxing activity many think it is! My problem is that I've refused to acknowledge my body's new limitations, which seem to have cropped up in the last year or two. I have to learn to listen to my body, and focus on my OWN practice -- not what the 25-year-old next to me is doing!

I'm adding more spinning and swimming to my workout regimen, too... to supplement and replace some of my running, which makes my hips really sore.

God, I feel like an old bat! Maybe we should start an Old Bats Club? What would be our mission statement?; ▶ Reply to This