I am not now, nor have I ever been an athlete. But this dialogue spoke to me form a different perspective. Coincidentally, when I woke up this morning the first thing I did was what I always do. I weighed myself. Sure enough, I was up a pound and thus, I began my day on a sour note. As I came upstairs, thinking about what NOT to eat, I thought I've never really loved my body, no matter what my age or weight. And this, despite the fact that at age 80, I've never had a serious injury or illness. So, as I go about my day today, I intend to repeat: "I love my body, I love my body" because damn it, she deserves my love, not my disappointment.
She does indeed, that body of yours: She deserves love. As do we all. But only you can give her a particular sort of love that she especially needs.
And I recommend you reconsider your "I am not now, nor have I ever been an athlete." You have told me your childhood passion-for-sports story. I know you, and see your physical grace and coordination in the way you move. I know you work out, and it shows. The only reason you can't claim the athletic identity is because of sexist barriers that were applied to virtually every 80-year-old woman.
Try saying "I am an athlete" along with "I love my body." Just see if it changes how you hold yourself, how you feel about yourself, how you move.
I love, love, love this conversation. You are on a really fruitful track here, I think. I’m recalling your recent comment in a note about helping girls who are rejecting their bodies to learn to love them and what they can do. In that regard, I was particularly touched by Nancy’s comment how her body helped her get through being raped. That alone offers a remarkable insight. Thanks to you both for all you do. And good luck with cornhole!
Yes, others are also telling me privately that Nancy's comment about learning to love her body post-rape, with gratitude for how it/she survived what was a harrowing 2+ hour ordeal, is the most powerful takeaway from this story. Thank you, Susan!
Fascinating look at high-level sports training & looks like Nancy had great guidance (orthopedic doc as Dad). Plus, I suppose, a low impact sport like swimming is happily not known for many injuries). I find it mind boggling that, in some (many?) sports (gymnastics, football, etc) injuries are taken as inevitable. Push the body to a breaking point? Not sure we, as a society, should glorify that? Or … boxing? Purposely bashing another person? Some are fans, for whatever reason?
My biggest sports injury was dyeing yarn - lifting skeins of wet yarn onto hooks above the pots. Soaking wet. Water is like 9lbs per gallon. Took 9montjs of PT but I got my range of motion and pain-free shoulder back. Did this in my 60s which I guess was dumb.
From one 69 tear old to another, this article hits WAY to close to home !!
Great article as always Mariah :)
Hey Brad, glad to hear it. You have my full support to learn such lessons right alongside me.😀
Wonderful post and love the pics and drawing!
Thanks, Sharon! I love this interview too, and I’m glad you enjoyed the drawing.😀
I am not now, nor have I ever been an athlete. But this dialogue spoke to me form a different perspective. Coincidentally, when I woke up this morning the first thing I did was what I always do. I weighed myself. Sure enough, I was up a pound and thus, I began my day on a sour note. As I came upstairs, thinking about what NOT to eat, I thought I've never really loved my body, no matter what my age or weight. And this, despite the fact that at age 80, I've never had a serious injury or illness. So, as I go about my day today, I intend to repeat: "I love my body, I love my body" because damn it, she deserves my love, not my disappointment.
p.s. I love the drawing.
She does indeed, that body of yours: She deserves love. As do we all. But only you can give her a particular sort of love that she especially needs.
And I recommend you reconsider your "I am not now, nor have I ever been an athlete." You have told me your childhood passion-for-sports story. I know you, and see your physical grace and coordination in the way you move. I know you work out, and it shows. The only reason you can't claim the athletic identity is because of sexist barriers that were applied to virtually every 80-year-old woman.
Try saying "I am an athlete" along with "I love my body." Just see if it changes how you hold yourself, how you feel about yourself, how you move.
I love, love, love this conversation. You are on a really fruitful track here, I think. I’m recalling your recent comment in a note about helping girls who are rejecting their bodies to learn to love them and what they can do. In that regard, I was particularly touched by Nancy’s comment how her body helped her get through being raped. That alone offers a remarkable insight. Thanks to you both for all you do. And good luck with cornhole!
Yes, others are also telling me privately that Nancy's comment about learning to love her body post-rape, with gratitude for how it/she survived what was a harrowing 2+ hour ordeal, is the most powerful takeaway from this story. Thank you, Susan!
Fascinating look at high-level sports training & looks like Nancy had great guidance (orthopedic doc as Dad). Plus, I suppose, a low impact sport like swimming is happily not known for many injuries). I find it mind boggling that, in some (many?) sports (gymnastics, football, etc) injuries are taken as inevitable. Push the body to a breaking point? Not sure we, as a society, should glorify that? Or … boxing? Purposely bashing another person? Some are fans, for whatever reason?
My biggest sports injury was dyeing yarn - lifting skeins of wet yarn onto hooks above the pots. Soaking wet. Water is like 9lbs per gallon. Took 9montjs of PT but I got my range of motion and pain-free shoulder back. Did this in my 60s which I guess was dumb.