I see many women my age (in their 60's) who move like little old ladies. I observe them when we're camping; they take the three steps out of their RV one at a time. I observe them when I'm shopping; their husbands drop them off at the entrance to Walmart and then park the car, and they lean on their shopping cart as they push it through the store.

Compare that to a woman I read about in a book called "What Makes Olga Run". Olga competed at World Masters track and field events into her 90's. She didn't even start running till she retired. In fact, the author noticed that many athletes who compete at those games had done little or no sports for most of their adult life because work and families had taken priority. It was only once they reached their 50's and 60's that they had the time to enjoy sports.

Or Chris Crowley, the guy who wrote "Thinner This Year" (amongst other books) who at the time of writing the book did a hilly 50 mile bike ride in the mornings, for fun, and skiied black diamond mogel runs. He was 79. He calls exercise "the flywheel of life".

Or Sue Reynolds, who wrote "The Athlete Inside". She started out weighing 335 pounds and ended up being a world class triathlon competitor. She didn't begin her journey till she was in her 50's.

Closer to home are other women who inspire me. My mother-in-law once injured her ankle when she fell out of a tree while picking cherries (she was in her 80's at the time). She walked her dogs every day over a steep trail on her property, and kept a huge vegetable garden. I paddle on a dragon boat team with a woman who's turning 80 this year. We also regularly snowshoe, and kayak together. I know a married couple who are in their 80's who I often see cross country skiing on our local trails.

I don't want to be that frail old lady who falls and breaks her hip and has to use a walker the rest of her life. So I do things now to help. I lift heavy things and move stretchy bands to maintain muscle. I improve my balance by practicing things like yoga. I keep my heart strong by doing some cardio. I eat well. I know that looking at small goals is necesssary so we don't get overwhelmed. But for me, sometimes I also need to look at the bigger picture. I'm not doing what I do every day to look good. I'm doing this so that I can have a better life. And if for whatever reason my health suddenly goes south, at least I can honestly say that I did my part to try and prevent that from happening.

Do I celebrate holidays? Do I have birthday cake? Do I have a couple of glasses of wine? I sure do. But 8 years into this and I'm still diligently logging my food. And I move every day.

Of course your journey is going to be different to mine. But I think our end goal is the same: better overall health so that we can enjoy this life we've been given. That's what inspires me.

Bet you wished you'd never asked! 🤣🤣

My inspiration is my mother. She is 78 and can still out work me. And all of this is after breaking a hip 4 years ago! She has always been active outdoors, whether walking, gardening, mowing...She just never quits! She is my biggest supporter and my best friend.