living in a 51 year old body
Posted by Melanie on Aug 17, 2010 in body care | 9 commentsI’m living in a body that is 51.5 years old. So far, it’s taken me on a quite a ride. Or maybe the other way around, I’ve taken it on a quite a ride. Either way, I’m grateful. I’ve taken it on untold adventures and it’s held up with remarkable grace and good will…until recently.
I'm the girl in the back
When I was in my twenties, I spent several summers as a guide on the Colorado River in southern Utah. On one of those trips, I injured my back. Big time pain. Flash forward a couple of decades and that old injury is showing up with a vengeance.
For the last couple of years, I’ve been seeing chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, orthopedic doctors…and on and on, as I attempt to find relief. Relief is slow in coming, but coming it is.
At first I felt a bit betrayed by my body, like it had somehow let me down and I could no longer trust it. Ever so slowly, I realized that perhaps I have betrayed my body by not taking better care of it. Heck, there’ve been times when I took better care of my car than I did my body.
Because I have a strong preference for my body to last a good long time in good health, I needed to make some changes. So I did. These days, I take good care of my body and have a good team to support me — physical therapist, massage therapist, svaroopa yoga teacher, and ME. I stretch almost every day, walk several times a week and aim to provide my body with good fuel. There’s more, but those are the basics.
I can almost hear my mother-in-law teasing me and saying “Well pin a rose on your nose.” 
Nonetheless, the changes have made my life better, I’m more mindful of and more loving towards my body. It’s rare that I take it for granted.
How about you? Are you taking better care of your car than you do your body?
What small change could you make this week to take even better care of your body?
P.S. One of the things I did that I think made a huge difference in how I feel towards my body was using ZPoint to help me clear out the negative feelings I had towards my body and motivate me to exercise. If this sound interesting to you, check out the recording I made to lead you through the same process I used, “Say Yes to Better Health.” You can find it in my shop.
Oh yes, I definitely take better care of my car than my body! I’m always the last thing I think of to take care of. I’m a nurturer by nature, and I focus on what I can do for others.
But I realize that if I don’t take care of myself, I won’t be able to take care of others, so thanks for the push to start now!
Terri
First of all, I love the pic from the river-guide days. And your post made me think of my 92 year-old storytelling friend, Kathryn Tucker Windham. She is so good at caring for herself in such a balanced manner. I look forward to getting my 3 days a year with her coming up in October. I will be more mindful of the self-care inspiration that she is in my life.
Thanks for the gentle reminder, Melanie. I guess the ways I took my body for granted years ago, I can’t get away with now, and I really shouldn’t want to “get away” with ignoring this vitally important of my being able to live my life to the fullest.
Being older than 51, my body has been greatly surprised to no longer be 16 and riding horses over fences, one of its greatest joys. So my small change is to walk regularly with my neighbor on our wonderful road with spectacular view… and to enjoy horse breaths in my hair. Good for body, mind and spirit~!
LOVE river rafting! HATE the back injury. I have always been athletic and for the past 14 years yoga has been my absolute favorite exercise. I think it also has to do with alignment. When your body is in alignment you can move in greater alignment on a mental/emotional/spiritual level. Then, we can be the powerful, magical creature we were all created to be! Thanks, Melanie!
How many people have said to you, “yes” I get it and thank you for the reminder again. I too am taking tiny steps but know there needs to be more. I appreciate your inspiration and have great support for you.
I LIVE IN MARYVILLE AND I READ YOUR COMMENTS WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM. I, PROBABLY LIKE MANY OTHERS, FEEL A MYSTICAL KINSHIP WITH YOUR PHILOSOPHY AND VIEW OF LIFE. WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET YOU ONE DAY.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
Warm regards,
gail L.
I too have started to take better care of my body lately. Seems like there’s some new ache or pain regularly! I plan to be around for a long time, so I’m exercising more now to prepare for it.
So glad to hear that you are all taking care of your bodies. And, nice to meet you Gail!