CHOOSING
A few years back, when I was writing a monthly column for The Chemainus Courier, our local newspaper, I wrote about walking the backyard lanes. I loved poking around those overgrown hidden pathways and I would spend hours with my dog wandering up that lane with blackberries spilling over the old truck, picking and eating ripe berries as I went and then I’d walk down to one of the lower lanes where a plum tree dropped its ripe fruit over a compost heap, and then to another lane where I picked the grapes that were usually left to rot on the ground. And then there were the apple trees. And I would come home with my backpack filled with windfalls, apples that made the sweetest pies.
I no longer have the energy to walk up the hill to reach most of the lanes. We live in a seaside town on East Vancouver Island and typical of these towns, there is a hill with houses marching along the side facing the ocean. The lanes I like to explore run behind the houses on the hill and as I live at the bottom, close to the ocean, it’s the getting up to the top that’s the problem. It’s all about the hills!
However, lately I’ve been thinking about those backyard gems, those sometimes-grassy trails and the possibility of apples free for the taking, apples falling over a rickety fence, and I realized I needed to stop being lazy and get back to walking. It’s always so easy to say, “I’ll start tomorrow.”
A couple of weeks ago, I saw an add on social media for a program for seniors called Choose to Move put on by The Active Aging Society, choosetomove.ca. Grant and I went. (He wasn’t too thrilled about it.) Funnily enough, of the nine seniors there, six of us already knew each other, in fact three of us belonged to the same writers group. The focus of the proposed eight- week sessions, was not weight loss or doing exercises, the focus was on getting out, building community, looking at barriers to being active and setting goals. We were already active in the community and this course did not feel like the right fit, in fact all the people we knew at that introductory meeting decided not to join.
But I knew I needed something. Something to help me look at why I was slacking off. Not trying to walk. Yes, I am getting older. But old people walk. My lovely neighbour Sue was texting me for a while, “walkies today?” but I said no too many times.
I needed something I could commit to. Something to make me feel inspired. I like Zoom and I like questionnaires, charts and goal setting. And I like the fact that the course is part of a UBC study on aging and the results could help develop effective courses in the future for seniors. Meanwhile I think I have found a niche that suits me.
I went back to the Choose to Move site and signed up for an online Zoom course.
By choosing to sign up I will be able to discuss my health goals with a qualified instructor, have charts to record my exercise (I love charts!), and set realistic goals for which I am accountable. At least for the eight weeks of the course.
Chose to Move has a slogan: Being active can help you feel better, look better and live longer.
My short-term goal is to do the exercises already prescribed for me by my physiotherapist, my chiropractor and my family. “Use the rowing machine Lizzie,” instructions from Grant; “Use the stationary bike Mum,” a suggestion from my son Bruce; “Get out walking Lizzie,” loving advice from my sister Kate.
Just think, if I do even half of that I will feel livelier and healthier.
And the big goal is…I will be walking those lanes again, with ease. I might have to get another dog!
I am CHOOSING to improve my life.
Stay tuned for a progress report next month.
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~ Island Crone by Liz Maxwell Forbes
9 thoughts on “CHOOSING”
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Bravo Liz! Yes, it’s all about choices. I have only one rule about choices; choose that which will make you happiest. Rowing machines and treadmills do not make my happy list, but your delightful description of exploring lanes of berry brambles and abandoned apple trees inspires me to dig out my walking sticks and head into the countryside. Thank you, again, for another wonderful read!
Ah, another inspiration from you, Liz. I’ll get those walking sticks out and even if i don’t explore new paths, I’ll follow some of my old favourites.
Dear Liz,
Thank you for reassuring me that I have a choice. I love walking in my neighbourhood. I do a bit (these days less than ever) every day. I have a community gazebo where I can rest and chat with familiar people.
And I long for a treadmill because then I would walk in the dark and when the streets are slippery and take shorter walks instead of no walks.
Anyway, I’m celebrating choice.
Thank you!
Liz: Please keep up with the writing. Sherron and I walk every day. I will admit we drive to more level walkways as we are faced with a grade that we need 4×4 to drive up when there is ice or snow. When I was having my pacemaker checked, they showed me how to increase my heart rate when faced with a steep grade or large staircase. They even told me that I have 11 years left on the battery. I keep wondering if I will need the 11 years. I am hoping I will!
Dear Liz – great topic. As we age, inspiration is always welcome. I got a big dose this week from a 92-year-old guest at Yellow Point Lodge where I was for 3 nights. He’s still kayaking and cycling! I found this out over lunch after I’d been out for a morning paddle in the kayaks provided there. I was grinning from ear to ear and had to share my kayaking delight with the 5 seniors around the table. I’m almost 2 decades behind this gentleman, and was feeling rather proud that I am still able to get in and out of one of those lovely crafts. I was pleasantly surprised to thinik that I may have a few years left to do this sport that I’ve enjoyed for about 50 years. But I do find it’s so easy to pull the aging card when i don’t feel like going out for a walk. Maybe I’ll be checking out “Choose to Move”. Thank you. Please keep sharing your delightful stories.
I remember our back lane ramblings with great pleasure, Liz! And how annoyed you were when I had the regional district remove the overgrown blackberry vines that were destroying my fence, shed, and garden with their voracious growth from the lane – oops!
Like you, I inquired about the Choose to Move program. Unfortunately the dates/days for the in-person sessions are all wrong for me as I would only be able to attend 2 of the 8 sessions due to upcoming cataract surgery, a reunion with British relatives, and medical appointments. And unlike you, I hate Zoom so that option is not for me. I did go out with the Nanaimo Naturalists this morning, however, who regularly lead sessions around Buttertubs Marsh every weekend from now to mid-fall. Three hours of amazing nature watching and walking to soothe my soul! I will join them any weekend I am available. I also tried the Noom app to inspire me but I got so frustrated with the app (the links didn’t work, the tabs to record stuff didn’t work, etc) that I unsubscribed within 48 hours and ate a half dozen cookies to console myself and address my frustration. This Luddite needs in-person stuff that fits my schedule.
I shall have to come visit you more often and we can walk together once again. See you on the 12th, for starters!
Wish I could be with you on those walks, Liz. Walking, as they say, is the best exercise. Yes, choosing goals in one’s life is life affirming and will add happiness to it as well. I am so glad I had all those years with the naturalists, hiking around the province. I have always walked and am frustrated I can’t do it any more, so no point in joining Choose to Move, at least not yet. But I do core exercises every day and they help. Perhaps if I ever get my knee fixed I’ll be able to traipse the light fantastic once again. So go for it, Liz, you won’t be sorry, and it will add those years as well.
I wish we lived closer so we could walk together!
My neighbour joined Choose to Move and now several members of the group meet every Monday morning for various walks around the Cowichan Valley.
Good luck with your goals! You have inspired me to choose to walk more often.
Dearest Liz,
I certainly have fond memories of of joining you on those lane walks while I was visiting you and Paw😙
After losing Silkie last year we took many easy ways out from the daily walks due to unfavourable weather or energy levels. So, also needing to be choosing to move, and I do!
So many ways: stepping out the door and spreading arms open like a crane to inhale intoxicating air into lungs and folding wings on the exhale, imagining myself an old Daoist in the misty mountains. Yes, the stationary bike when too cold, wet or windy, following along QiGong on Instagram or YouTube. Yoga classes, for the peer support.
Yesterday I had the utter joy of learning some fire (not lit) staff moves and slack line (with two buddies).
I still walk with friends with dogs and miss those animal friends deeply. This being our first year in 43 without a dog, we also enjoy freedom from the chore of walking in all weather ( and a slightly cleaner car and house).
Being an embodied soul is such a trip! Choosing to keep it well oiled and happy; a duty, daunting task and a wonder.
I love your thought provoking musings.