You can’t let getting older stop you

Are you on the back nine? Did you win the toss and select to receive in the second half? Do you feel like you blinked and suddenly you were past your prime? Are you getting ready for a comeback or looking for a hide-out?

These are all true-life metaphors for those of us on the north side of life.

I try to walk daily, just because I want to maintain my mobility and I like to check out the neighborhood. I use trekking poles to give the upper body a little workout. (And they are very helpful when we go hiking). The other day I was out, and a couple of older guys who were sharing a walker looked over at me and shouted, “Keep it up!” They must have been in their 90s. If I ever need a walker, I will use it twice a day to keep myself physically moving. I can make a living sitting on my butt and looking at a computer, so getting exercise is a must these days. Otherwise, I will stiffen up like a board. Truthfully, I already have moderate arthritis, and I’m not going to let it stop me from doing what I want. Hey, the walk from the parking lot to our seats at SoFi Stadium is a long way!

It’s good to eat a healthy diet. (I still give myself treats once a month.) It also helps to take vitamins and medically recommended supplements.

Feeling good takes some effort. It’s not as easy as being young, but nothing lasts forever. Back in my 30s, I interviewed a group of healthy octogenarians, and the things these well elderly folks had in common were interesting:

1. They didn’t drink alcohol.

2. They didn’t smoke.