100% Commitment is the CTA

Moving from loss to gain with the Boomer’s gravy train.

Photo by Nikola Murniece on Unsplash

Norma had sworn to herself, never would she cross the 200-pound mark on the bathroom scale, never. Yet, here she was at 206 pounds, more than 93 kilos.

The weight had come on slowly. Norma was not overly concerned until her right knee started hurting. Some days the knee discomfort was less than others, but the pain had become an increasing nuisance.

Even grocery shopping was strenuous. Leaning on the shopping cart was the only way to get through the ordeal. She knew that she needed a walker for support, but Norma did not want a walker. Not unless it was her last resort.

When she went for a doctor’s visit the previous month, he asked her to rate the pain on a scale from 1–10, with 10 being the worst. “At times 10, mostly, 7, but on a good day I still have a steady pain level of 3,” she said.

After reviewing the X-ray, the doctor told her that she had osteoarthritis (OA) in her knee. OA is the most common form of arthritis and causes disability for millions of people around the world.

Often, related to aging and wear and tear of the joints, it can also be caused by family history, an injury, or frequent repetitive use of a joint. This causes inflammation in the lining of the joints.

Because she still had some cartilage, she could get better without knee replacement, he added.

The doctor said that excess weight put a lot of pressure on joints. A weight loss plan and physical therapy (PT) could improve knee performance, he told her.

With a smile and an upbeat voice he revealed that with every pound, or half kilo of weight that she lost, she would take four pounds of pressure off her knees according to research.

Imagine that; if Norma lost 20 pounds, 80 pounds of pressure would be eliminated from her knees.

She could do that, absolutely. With the diet plan her doctor provided, she could become healthy and carry out the plans that have been brewing in her mind for a long time.

In no way, was Norma ready to throw in the towel. Not yet. She was only 71 years old, a Boomer girl at her best age. Since her husband’s death about a year ago, she had carried a secret dream in her heart.

There was something important that she wanted to do before she became too old. But first, she got to slim down and get healthy.

Only a week in, the physical therapy sessions helped with balance and core strength for improved walking. With help from the physical therapist, she was able to start doing exercise that was invigorating.

The weight -loss plan was another story. It seemed simple enough, nothing that she didn’t know about calories in and calories out. Norma knew she could do it, but she just got off to a rough start.

The numbers went in the wrong direction.

She did not want that. During the last couple of weeks she also learned that with only a 10 percent weight-loss, her life could dramatically change.

Not only would her OA comfort level improve, but it it could also reduce the risk of common chronic diseases, in her age group; like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

She would try and start again tomorrow, for sure.

The content of Norma’s grocery cart showed little intention of healthy eating. At the checkout counter, she told the cashier, ”The grandchildren love to inspect the Goody Pantry when they come to visit. I like to have it well stocked for them”, she said with a nervous giggle.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

. . .

Not only was Norma the wife of a chronically ill man who was in and out of the hospital and rehab for several years before he died, she is a lot like most of us. Here are four things that we have in common.

1. 10 percent of the world population is over age 65, statistics show. The majority is not ready to throw in the towel yet. Some hopes and dreams are still lingering.

2. Most of us did not become self -actualized between the age of 25 and 65, according to Maslow. But that should not stop us from growing and reaching for our better self between age 65 and 105.

3. Unless we commit 100 percent to what we want, we are not going to get it. Going all the way, sticking to our future self -vision with unwavering commitment, is the difference between doing and dabbling.

4. When we are over 65, we are in the psychological development stage of Ego Integrity vs Despair. Here we must come to term with who we are — past, present, and future — in order to prevent regret and guilt for unaccomplished goals. Instead, we can embrace the person we are today and develop a sense of fulfillment, in line with Erik Erikson in the eighth and final stage before death.

. . .

The diet plan given Norma by her doctor did not work for her. Counting calories was not her thing.

Instead, she was introduced to the DASH eating plan. This was not just a plan for weight loss and optimal health, it served as a road map to a a therapeutic lifestyle.

The more she learned about the DASH, the more she loved it. Finally, she was able to commit to her future goal and self -vision. This is what she did.

“All progress starts by telling the truth.” — Dan Sullivan

• Become clear on what we want. Becoming honest about exactly what we want is the first step. Norma had a dream of becoming a volunteer at the rehab where her husband had spent extended time during his illness. Too many of the residents were sad and lonely. She wanted to spend quality time with them. Listening, talking, and reading for them, she wanted to be their sun on a cloudy day.

“Begin with the end in mind.” — Steven Covey

• See the process on how to accomplish a goal. In order for Norma to be hired and do the meaningful work she wanted, she had to do the following: A. Gather information and fill out an application for the rehab center and decide on what days and hours she wants to volunteer. B. Become healthier; continue PT, follow the DASH to lose 20 pounds, and eliminate or reduce the knee pain.

Faith knows it has already received and acts accordingly.” — Florence Shinn

• With unwavering believe, know you can do it. Norma started tracking her pain level, the foods on her DASH eating plan, and her weight loss. She also went through her closet, selecting the outfit that she would wear to the interview.

“Your brain doesn’t know the difference between whether you’re imagining something or truly experiencing it.” — Dr. Benjamin Hardy

• Feel yourself as the future version of the person you want to become. Norma’s progress was astonishing. The pain level was reduced to a high of 5 and a low 1. As the weight came off, she felt happy, hopeful, and more outgoing. Carving out a life without her husband had not been easy, but she enjoyed the newfound freedom of not having to spend every day worrying and caring for him. Norma marched proudly towards her new role.

It took a while but she got there. From the ordeal of losing her husband, she gained a new and beautiful self.

On her 72 birthday, the nurses, staff, patients, and other volunteers gathered in the Day Room at the rehab to celebrate their newest Volunteer.

Her name was Norma and they called her the sun on a cloudy day.

Life was Good.

. . .

Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) reports that in the over 65 population, almost 50 percent have been diagnosed with arthritis. I am now one of them, having been diagnosed with OA in my right hip. This does not make life in the Boomer’s lane any easier, but learning as much as we can about OA, is the first step to getting better.

An excellent story, written by Medium’s own Zachary Walston, PT, DPT, OCS provides practical and useful information for anyone struggling with arthritis. Being a health care professional works in my favor, but I enjoyed learning something new from this wonderful Medium writer.

Healing without surgery is something that I have committed to. But I know too well that saying and committing are two different things.

Learning how to commit to a task is an art. Much credit to what I have learned comes from another outstanding Medium writer Benjamin Hardy, PhD. His stories and books can help and serve anyone, in reaching any goal.

I wrote this story, inspired by a nurse who retired early to care for her sick husband. During years of caregiving, she lost herself.

Many baby boomers have spent years tending to family members, without being able to create the life they want. A life where they can thrive, have enough strength to optimize their health, and live with meaning and joy.

But it is never too late to be healthy and it is never too late to be happy.

The time between 65 and 105 can be our best years. When we go for what we want, with 100% commitment, that Boomer’s gravy train arrives at the station faster than we can say Woof.

Thank you.

. . .

🇳🇴Annelie Holmene Pelaez believes that everyone has an attribute to share with others. Promoting cardiovascular health and helping adults over age 65 is her contribution. When we don’t let age define us, but rather empower us to grow, we discover health and happiness are byproducts of who we are.

Annelie is the author of the book, Say Yes to A Better Life, available at Amazon.