Back in the Saddle Again
November 10, 2011, by Connie Stetson
At Connie’s roundup she meets a milestone head on — yee haw!
Well, dear readers, our Fifty is the New summer vacation lasted so long, that while we were away, I climbed the proverbial hill, lurched over it, and landed smack into the shitsky—I mean sixty. 60. Yes—I’m up to my neck in a steaming pile of years. I’m happy to report that in the wake of this monumental event, the earth did not rend itself in twain, the seas did not turn red with blood, the crops did not wither and fail and the climate has not changed. Oh—wait a minute, yes it has but not because I turned 60.
I had been dragging my ass towards this birthday, really glum, and I thought I might greet the day by sitting in the dark alone with a half-gallon of ice cream, a fifth of vodka, a sharp knife and some Joan Crawford movies. Happily, it turned out, my nice husband rented a cabin on the east side of the Sierras and nine of us spent a weekend in Mammoth eating, drinking, hiking, laughing, enjoying the scenery and each other’s company. Our Cathy was there too, celebrating her birthday, and all of us had a grand good time.
Eons ago when I was turning 45, I started thinking that it would be wise to prepare myself for the turning of 50. I joined Jazzercize. I loved the music, the dancing and the camaraderie. Now, this was back in the day when everybody wanted to look like Jamie Lee Curtis in Perfect. Of course, none of us, except our instructor, even came close; but there we were, middle-aged in our thong leotards, leg warmers and sweatbands bouncing our boobies and looking more like the cast of exercisers in Richard Simmon’s, Sweating to the Oldies. Still, it was fun and I did slim down and firm up. I did Jazzercize for about ten years before my knees and back really began to protest and I quit. Since then, I’ve done Pilates, Zumba, yoga, Curves and gone to the gym. I’m like the Where’s Waldo of the workout world; and still, between the menopause, the Jelly Bellies and The Food Network, I have slowly gained back all the weight I lost.
I’ve finally wrapped my head around my 60th birthday and I’ve become crystal clear about what’s coming down the pike. I’m grateful to have been born with good health, a strong body and a happy outlook on life, but the fact is no matter that good luck, I still may have only 20, 25 years in front of me. It’s hit me like a ton of lard, that if I don’t get my shit together over this, turning 70 is going to be hard and not just in a mental exercise sort of way. These ten years between turning 50 and 60 have sped by like a bullet train and I can only surmise that this coming decade will feel even more like a moment, a dream, like the snap of my fingers. So, I’m back in the saddle again, taking the reins, cowboying up, and all that other buckaroo bullshit and I’ve signed back on at Jazzercize for low-impact aerobics, dancing, sweating and smiling, and thank goodness all of us, even Jamie Lee Curtis, seems to be over that “perfect” thing.
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Jamie Lee Curtis in Perfect (1985) and Jamie Lee Curtis featured in More Magazine (2002)
November 10th, 2011 at 11:31 am
Getting back on the horse is often just plain hard.
But when you (we) do I think a gold medal
should be hung around our necks. This is me
hanging a medal around your neck! Bravo!
November 10th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
I remember Jazzercize. That’s when I first hurt my lower back! Love that “…up to my neck in a steaming pile of years.” You’re perfect, Connie, only more so now. Happy birthday!
November 10th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Come on in, Duckie, the sixties are fine, and we are so happy to have such an extraordinary new club member as you. In my sixties I learned that everything is perfect, even my dissatisfaction.
November 10th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
You are my role model, Christie. I aspire to be as wise and sassy, and gorgeous, as you are. I’m looking to you, dear sister.
November 10th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
I’m with Christie on this one. Welcome to our sixties club, and you know I am thrilled to have you in it with me. Sixties are awesome and the decades of my life are finally coming to fruition with a new mind set and I’m very happy that I’m finally getting “it”.
November 10th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Connikins, you remain my role model for aging well — going from walk to gallop with ease (most of the time) and humor (more of the time). Zumba and Jazzercise your way through your new decade; you don’t miss a beat in my book baby! And you know how I feel about the “perfect” thing… it’s just too much!
November 10th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
After the fun of BONNIE BELL 5 mile runs in the 80′s, the cartilage in my knees was gone. One nice thing about aging at this time is the miracle of knee replacement! We are blessed compared to the women in the past that waddled around in pain for the rest of their lives. Yea, I get to face the short years ahead with pain free knees. No waddling!
November 11th, 2011 at 7:48 am
I hear ya sistuh! I’ll be turning 59 in March and even that seems daunting. I, too, put on the lbs during menopause but just this past year I woke up and realized menopause was over and actually put myself on a diet to take the extra lbs off – only this time, not for vanity (well, maybe just a little) but more for life. I never embraced menopause but I am bracing all the birthdays ahead of me. Yeah 60s. Happy Belated birthday.
November 13th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Besides getting older, you’re getting funnier, Connie! Your unglazed observations ring true…where have these 50something years gone? It was only yesterday we were wearing black and looking chic. Now, donning black only makes us look haggard and certainly does nothing to hide those extra menopausal pounds around the hips.
Good ‘tude, Connie. Glad you and I are sharing our last 20 – 25 good years together. Maine this summer! Woo-hoo!
November 16th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Great you’re back on the horse and in control.I loved
.
your photo-op and all the cowgirl words.
Always thought that lifestyle woulda been more fun.
Hope this continues as a 60-something Blog
November 18th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Interesting, what falls away and what remains. For reasons I have never understood, the -zero birthdays seem more, what? than others. But then, I’m just into candles, whenever possible.
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:09 am
I can’t imagine turning 60. Just getting to 50 has been difficult and riddled with change…job loss, death, a stiff back, and having to move to a new space. However, I am done with caring for parents and have probably gotten through the most difficult part…burying my mother in July.
I’m hoping that 60 is more welcoming than 50 has been. My husband and I have been so busy, my Christmas Birthday wasn’t much of a celebration. But we’ll probably take a trip when he’s off in April and celebrate together.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:09 am
Honor your losses, your victories, stay fit, and celebrate every chance you get. Don’t even try to imagine 60. It’ll be here before you know it.