Uhhh, they think Im old!
It happened, I must now self identify as old or at least be a reasonable facsimile. I went into Tractor Supply to buy my very regular purchase of dog food. Im feeding about 350 pounds of dogs (3) twice a day. We buy lots of dog food! It comes in a 50 lbs bag and I generally grab it off the pallet on the floor. It happened; the younger lady with the toddler picking up dog food also asked me if I needed her to get it for me. *You want to do what?* was my immediate thought. My reply was *thank you, but no, I have it*. I made sure that I pressed the bag completely over my head as I sat it on the cart and headed to the counter. I may be headed towards the help needed seat, but Im not there yet, dammit!!
I feel your pain. My 32 year old son doesnt think I am capable of lifting anything heavier than my iPad. I had to tell him that I lift weights everyday I load and unload 53ft semi trailers full of AV equipment. I am old but Im still able to pick him up. Young Wipper Snapper
I've been and continue to be in both your bare feet from time to time. Most times, my sons in law sense my need for help and jump right in but there are times when I thought, "man, wish one of them would carry this damn thing for me," and they figure I've got it. It's a learning curve for myself and for them of when I need the help. They still feel I can do quite a bit.
I've been in stores, Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, Target, auto parts stores, Costco and have been asked if I need help to the car. A few times I felt like I should use them and not my wife's muscles and back. Afterwards I've felt like my wife, and I could have done it and strained less! haha
Recently, while moving our eldest granddaughter into her new condo, I was helping with some of the furniture and got run over by a couch. I think that was a wakeup call to me and my daughters and sons in law that I do have some limits. It's difficult for the brain to accept the body's limitations! hahaha
I refuse to ever be "that guy"! Or even look like "that guy"!
The other day. I had a 20ish guy ask if I was a rock climber. "Thanks, but no! Only at 6 Flags!"
Another asked the other day what I do to keep in such good shape. "My only carbs are from beer"!
I guess I've been blessed with an active metabolism, which helps a lot, but yard work and the occasional workout does the rest.
Just because many of us are getting older doesn't mean we have to let ourselves look it. Occasional exertion goes a long way.
It's better to take time, than run out of time!
Realizing that it's hard for a teenaged grocery store cashier to tell the difference between 50s and 70s keeps me from slapping them when they ask me if I get the senior discount instead of for an ID to buy liquor. Yes my hair got white...
The point of fitness - especially maintaining core strength and flexibility emanates - is important. Sometimes US society focuses too much on body positivity and too little on wellness positivity, too much on burning calories and too little on vitality and more on muscle definition than usage. In the meantime, we continue to show up and surprise, and life is good.