The Good Old Days

Have you ever tried to fit a square peg into a round hole? It
doesn’t work. It can’t work. There are just some things in life
that unfortunately fall into that category.
 
Many of my patients, especially the baby boomers (those born
between 1946 and 1964), think that their bodies should be able
to do what they did when they were in their twenties.

For example, this week I met a patient who is in her late 60’s.
Her primary issue is back and leg pain. But she also complains
about gaining 40 pounds over the last five years. She was always
very skinny so the first year the weight gain really didn’t
bother her.  However, the gains continued and her clothing no
longer fits and she has become quite unhappy with the situation.

Here’s what she said, “I want to look like I did 20 years ago. I
want to be skinny again.” I said, “Well, you can definitely lose
the 40 pounds and have more energy, but you probably won’t be
able to look like you did 20 years ago.”

Men are also interested in turning back the hands of time. Many
wax nostalgic about the “good old days” and their prowess in the
gym. They often tell me how much weight they could bench press
or dead lift. I ask, “How long ago were you able to lift heavy
weights?”  They usually respond with something like “30 years
ago.” “That’s great,” I say, “but you’re not as young as you
were then. Your body has changed.”

These conversations remind me of Al Bundy, the character played
by Ed O’Neill in the show Married… with Children. Al is a
middle-aged man who often reminisces about scoring four
touchdowns in the city championship game against his high
school’s rival, including the winning one in the final seconds.

Well, boys and girls, we can’t go back.

Plain and simple, our bodies change over the years. Injuries,
genetics, stress, poor nutrition, lack of exercise and sleep,
surgeries (especially those such as hysterectomies which alter
hormone function), and the aging process itself all contribute
to a worn-out body. No matter your current age, that body just
doesn’t repair itself the way it did 10 years ago.

But it really isn’t all gloom and doom. If you change your
concept of health and accept that you’re not in your twenties
anymore, life will be easier. We shouldn’t dwell on what we
can’t change or can’t do; we should concentrate on our
strengths.

Regardless of your age, improving your nutrition, beginning and
continuing an exercise program, and decreasing your stress will
improve your health.

Remember, we can’t fit a square peg into a round hole.  But we
can accept the changes in our bodies and do our best to keep our
bodies functioning as well as possible in the future.

To Your Health, Wealth & Happiness!

Dr. Michael Kaye
Knowledge, Action, Results