Use It or Lose It!

Granny choosing broomstick flying over cycling!

I well remember my own mother holding her arm straight out in front of her and kicking up her foot to touch her fingers. She was in her seventies and I had seen evidence myself of her flexibility as she gamely hauled herself up into the attic space to locate something stored away.

She also peddled on an exercise bike because as she said, "once your knees have gone, that's it!" She must have been doing something right because she lived until she was 99 years and six months old, still cooking every day and looking after her bachelor son. So it's no great surprise that Hubby and I believe the same.

Flexibility is key to everything we do and it really doesn't take many minutes in the day to circle hips and shoulders, knees and ankles. Posture is everything and you can do no better than study The Alexander Technique in which you imagine you are a puppet on a string with your head held vertical and not thrust forward like a turkey. Keep your thigh muscles strong too so that they can propel yourself out of your chair without too much difficulty.

Years ago, we were always encouraged at school to stand with chest pushed forward and shoulders back which actually forces a rather unnatural curve to the base of the spine. Rather, the pelvis should be thought of as a shallow basin tipping slightly forward so as to contain all our intestines comfortably and keeping that niggly sacrum from contracting and squeezing our nerves!

If you have trouble with your knees and/or ankles, try gently rotating them on a regular basis and elevate your legs above heart level if possible to take down any swelling.

When my old Mum, near the end of her life, finally consulted a doctor, they had no records for her as she had never been. She had always taken responsibility for her own health. Yes, she may have been fortunate, or have had good genes or whatever, but she never swallowed pills unnecessarily nor (obviously) dashed off to the surgery at the slightest twinge. I too am of the same opinion that given a little time, the wonderful organism that is us, each with our own complex chemical factory within, will generally be able cope with most situations.

I am not a doctor, but I don't have to be to know that by getting myself outside for about twenty minutes a day to soak up natural vitamin D, and sticking to a regular exercise regime, I am helping myself breeze into a happy and healthy old age. For as long as I am able, I shall certainly carry on using it, as I try not to lose it!

Ageing Beautifully

'When I was young...' is a classic opening line for us oldies but I shall carry on regardless. When I was young, women were old at 40. They fixed themselves in looks and dress and rarely appeared any different. Utilitarian clothing and fading vitality combined to usher in long years of deadening routine. Given that they had little spare income to devote to themselves, it's not really so surprising and I suppose the movie-star glamour they saw from time to time on the silver screen only served to emphasise differences that were so far out of reach as to be unimaginable. Unattainable. Not so now!

​Colour rules, and cheap clothing abounds. Hair and beauty salons are on every corner. We have information at hand that can help preserve our health and looks and it can be had at virtually no cost. Yes, you can lash out on expensive gym membership and buy into Lycra big-time in an effort to remain firm and active. Yes, you can fall into the trap of believing all the promises of expensive cosmetics and treatments but it is entirely possible to look after yourself with cheaper and readily-accessible alternatives.

Regular moderate exercise is the key to good health and longevity, and the easiest way to achieve them is to go for a brisk walk wherever you live. Start slowly and finish slowly but try to walk for thirty-five minutes each time in order to get the training effect. Ideally you will slip into the rhythm of four breaths in and four out to each step. (Suck, suck, suck, suck. Blow, blow, blow, blow). Do that daily if possible or as frequently as you can and you will really feel the benefit of pulsing circulation, bright eyes and the sparkle that comes with purposeful movement.

​I joined a karate group many years ago and while I soon gave up the martial side of things having got fed up with the bruises inflicted on me by others, I stuck with doing a daily brisk kata. This is a set movement that covers all aspects of physicality such as stretching, lunges, kicks and deep breathing, all done with close control and the right amount of tension to be labelled calisthenic. It is also nearer the true original form of tai ki or tai chi, as the modern gentle and slow characteristics were created when martial arts were banned in China. Those beautiful soft movements we are so familiar with now, are actually martial moves in heavy disguise. Each can be snapped back into fighting mode with a little specialist know-how. Anyway, I digress...

My personal daily routine takes only minutes. Often I also do some specific qui gong exercises though not always, as I mix it up with my walking and other activities such as gardening.

I cannot express adequately the feeling of well-being that comes from taking responsibility for my own health and welfare. Make time to work with and understand your own body's needs and you will not go far wrong.

Upfront Engineering

Engineering works of a personal kind!

Granny bought a new bra today and as she unwrapped it, closely studied its construction.

Why I hadn't studied it more closely before I don't know. It's not as if it was a different style to my usual. It is my usual and I've been wearing it for years and years! Maybe it's the colour. I usually choose white or black but for a change I thought I would 'do different' as they say in Norfolk and buy flesh-colour.

I have always been aware that this style of brassiere is a highly complex piece of construction, so much so that I always refer to them as my 'Boadicea bras' simply because they rather resemble what I imagine an armoured chest piece, constructed in metal would look like. That said, although not exactly riveted together, they are still not remotely glamorous but they do the trick and give me a secure and pleasing shape.

I should love to have graced the odd glamorous occasion when I was younger and able to wear sensuous plunging bras of satin and lace but given my mundane style of living, think my 'sensible' affordable choice has been for the best. Besides I can't see myself ever being able to afford Peller and Rigby or any other top-notch under-garments at around £100 a pop (if you'll pardon the expression), so I don't think I'll be changing over any time soon.

Anyway, on much closer inspection, bra construction is it seems, somewhat akin to industrial engineering (and personal body-armour) what with hoist, lift and separation.

Roughly sixteen pieces of fabric, strap-rings, adjusters, fastenings and bows all matched and joined seamlessly but with seams (if you know what I mean?).

They are 3-D jigsaw puzzles of endless sizes, colours and materials all constructed so carefully as to be non-rubbing next to the skin. Quite a feat don't you agree?