Final Tally

What a year it's been!  Thanks to my 'Fifty' projects, my fiftieth year has been pretty terrific.  I've done a lot more of the things I love -- and less of those I don't.

My main goal was to enjoy (at least) Fifty Frolics during my fiftieth year.  I not only met this challenge...I doubled it, racking up 100 Frolics during the year.  I so enjoyed these romps, I plan to make this an annual thing:  to aim for (at least) fifty frolics for every subsequent year of my life.
A second goal was to do (at least) Fifty Creative Projects this year. This was not only enjoyable but fulfilling.  I'm especially tickled to have written four books this year.  My novel and a workbook are being edited.  Here are the others:

GOAL SETTING & PLANNING FOR MULTI-TALENTED PEOPLE:  How to figure out what you really want -- and how to actually get it
Available here for Kindle or PC for only $2.99:  http://amzn.to/goalsettingkindle

  

And here's the newest one.  I'm thrilled that this blog and my 'Turning Fifty' projects have led to this self-help guide. It's packed with activities, examples and ideas to make the most of turning fifty -- to make your fiftieth year whatever you’d like it to be.

50 WAYS TO ENJOY TURNING FIFTY: Make the Most of Your Milestone Birthday to Have the Best Year Ever
 
Available here for Kindle or PC for only $2.99:   http://bit.ly/MakingTheMostofTurningFifty
 







Another goal was to take better care of my body -- hauling my middle-aged carcass into (at least) Fifty Fitness Classes, including bikram yoga and zumba.  Mission accomplished -- but the results are not what I hoped. My metabolism seems to be slowing so next year, I'll have to give more attention to my fitness and health.

My other projects were purely for pleasure:  I love cooking and trying new things so it was lovely to make (at least) 50 New Recipes this year.  I adore reading, so I aimed to read (at least) 50 Books this year. Along the same line, I wanted to watch (at least) 50 Films and listen -- really listen -- to (at least) 50 CDs.  I committed to treat myself better...to the tune of indulging in (at least) 50 Treats during the year. Part of that was recognizing how soothing it is for me to be near water -- so I set a goal of (at least) 50 Water Visits.  I also aimed for 50 Visits with Friends.

I'm delighted to report that I met or exceeded every one of these goals.

However, as I reported earlier,  There was one 50 Project that I abandoned early on.  I had thought I would take (at least) 50 'Fun Classes' during my fiftieth year -- and I ended up going to none.  The irony here is that, in any given year over the past decade, I've taken fun classes pretty much every week -- art or acting or even canine related courses.  It's surprising that this, of all projects, is that one that never get off the ground. And yet I'm fine with that.

The point of all my 'fifty projects' was to make the most of my fiftieth year -- to do more of what I love and less of what I don't -- and that's exactly what happened. Even better -- I've inspired others to do the same.


Blog readers have written to tell me about special events they organized or simple pleasures they re-discovered or once-in-a-lifetime trips they had taken.  Ellen treated herself to a month's vacation at a beach house -- honoring her happiest memories from her youth.  Oliver went on safari.  Marloes made a point of attending particular concerts that she otherwise would have let pass her by.  Kate used her milestone as an excuse to sleep more -- and nap whenever she wished -- guilt-free.

I'm concluding this, my fiftieth year, with a sense of accomplishment and great gratitude.

I've also learned that it is possible to make the most of life, even when life becomes challenging.  To my surprise, I managed to make this a wonderful year, despite dealing with a profound personal loss (my mother's passing) and many practical challenges (e.g. managing her estate, 3000 miles away). I learned that even horrible events don't have to define your life -- or an entire year.

I enter my fifty-first year with new optimism and high hopes.  I'm going to give careful thought to how I'd like to live the next twelve months -- and I invite you to do the same.

*****

I'd love to hear from you -- message me or leave a comment below.

Half-Time

This is the twenty-sixth week of my fiftieth year.  It doesn't seem like it -- it feels like I just turned fifty a about a month ago but no, poof! shazam!  I'm half-way through my milestone.

What's working well?

I'm trying enjoying my fifty projects -- especially my Fifty Frolics.  I'm making a point of going out more -- fun day trips (like the visit to the Museum of Latin American Art or lunch with a girlfriend at a kickass Vietnamese Vegan Cafe) plus wonderful evenings (like a number of girls' nights, game nights plus my recent night seeing the musical Billy Elliot). Best of all, I've enjoyed many wonderful visits with friends -- dinners, parties and even some sleepovers.

Connecting -- or reconnecting -- with friends has been particularly gratifying. I'm making a point of visiting more with people who are nearby -- as well as phoning or Skyping those farther away.   Certainly, I'm truly appreciating the significant people in my life.

I've read some great books, as part of my desire to read (at least) Fifty Books this year.  My other creative inputs are equally enjoyable -- I'm more than half way to my goal of watching (at least) Fifty Films as well as listening (really listening) to (at least) Fifty CDs.

So far, it's been a delicious year, to boot.  I'm cooking up a storm, in my desire to try (at least) Fifty New Recipes.  I'm delving into favourite cookbooks, scouring the internet for cool new recipes and experimenting with new ingredients like Tofurky.

I'm also taking better care of my body -- hauling my middle-aged carcass into (at least) Fifty Fitness Classes, including bikram yoga and zumba.

And I'm making a point of treating myself well...to the tune of (at least) Fifty Treats this year.

I might be a bit behind in my quota, but I've certainly been enjoying the Creative Projects on which I've been working.  I've made some beautiful jewelry, for example. I've been blogging here and at www.DaVinciDilemma.com.   I've drafted several books and published one so far (GOAL SETTING & PLANNING FOR MULTI-TALENTED PEOPLE:  How to figure out what you really want -- and how to actually get it).


I'm getting to the water much more, thanks to my desire for (at least) 50 Water Visits.  I might be behind in my quota for this year...but I've indulged in this favourite, soothing pasttime much more than I have in previous years.

I'm learning more about myself -- and others. 

I'm looking at life differently...in a good way.

What hasn't been working well?

* This year seems to have brought more than the usual number of challenges...but I'm doing my best to handle them.

* There's no denying it:  I look like hell.

* Also, there is one 50 Project that I haven't tackled at all.  I have yet to get to any 'Fun Class', let alone the (at least) fifty I hoped to attend.  The irony here is that, in any given year over the past decade, I've taken fun classes pretty much every week -- art or acting or even canine related courses.  It's surprising that this, of all projects, is that one yet to get off the ground.  There *was* a fire-eating class that caught my eye...but it ran when I was out of the country.  I'm planning to register for a metal fabrication class...but it doesn't start until September.  I will make a point of getting to SOME fun classes this year...and will make it a priority to get to (at least) 51 next year.

What adjustments do I need to make, going forward?

Overall, I'm very satisfied with my efforts to 'make the most of turning fifty'.

My plan is to keep on, keeping on...to keep track of my various fifty projects and do my best to meet my quotas, to the best of my ability...while remembering that the whole point is to really enjoy this year.



*****

What about you?  How's your 50th year going?  Message me or leave a comment.

Back to the Gym

I’m woefully behind in my commitment to take (at least) 50 Fitness classes during my fiftieth year.  Life and my schedule have interfered and as a result I now have the muscle tone, flexibility and aerobic endurance of an overweight octogenarian.

This is a wee bit mortifying for someone who used to teach fitness classes professionally. 

 Okay, that was a few years ago and curtailed by a hip injury -- but still.  I’ve gone from teaching eight fitness classes a week (body sculpting, step, Pilates, yoga and circuit training) to being an erstwhile couch potato.

Being a gym rat doesn’t work for me.  I’ve tried.  Oscillating between elliptical, weight training machines, treadmill and free weights bore me to tears.  I have to force myself to the gym every time -- then force myself through the regime.

In contrast, I find fitness classes fun, social and highly motivating.  I like having a regularly scheduled fitness appointment.

So what’s the problem, then?  Why not just sign up for a class or two?  Alas, I’m a stickler for commitment. I won’t register for a class unless I know I can be there for the duration.  This year, my schedule is unsettled.  Either I’ve missed the deadlines to sign up...or I doubt I can make a commitment to be there for the full eight weeks.

The solution materialized yesterday.  The gym where I tried (and failed) to work out now offers classes that sounded interesting.  Zumba, for example.  I didn’t know what Zumba was, exactly, but I expected it to involve Latin music and choreography of some sort.  I enjoy choreography.  It requires brain power than makes me forget I’m exercising.

Full of mad resolve, I headed to the gym, destination:  Zumba.  I went early, actually, to catch the yoga class beforehand. I figured it would behoove me to stretch my carcass for the first time since my brief brush with Bikram (sweatbox) yoga in December. 

The hatha yoga class was a perfect re-entry into fitness.  Sedate and gentle.  It was so relaxing, in fact, that the guy beside me fell asleep and was snoring through the ‘death pose’ that concluded the class. 

Thankfully, the instructor picked that moment to burst into song.  Yes, song.  She serenaded us with a tune deftly performed in Urdu or possibly Sanskrit -- what I hope was a prayer or blessing, but really it could have been a Nepalese commercial for McDonalds, for all I know.  Whatever it was, it was lovely.

There were ten minutes between classes, so I shlepped to the machines and dutifully filled the interval with as many reps as I could muster.  It’s so not my thing...but better to fill the ten minutes with some gym-related activity, given my location.

Before the Zumba class began, I introduced myself to the instructor.

            “First timer,” I said, pointing at myself.  “What do I need to know about Zumba?”

            “Oh just watch me and have fun with it,” she said, wiggling her hips.  “Bring your own flava.”

            “Flava.  Ah,” I said.  “I’ll be in the back of the room and taking breaks when I need to.”

The music commenced and the class snapped into action.  In unison and with no verbal instruction, they snapped their heads to the right and left and commenced a series of isolations.  A typical warm up sequence.

            “Ah so it is like a dance class,” I said happily as I followed their lead.

The next song was a 1980’s classic dance tune...aptly heralding the next sequence of moves.  Moves reminiscent of those old time aerobics classes of the Jane Fonda workout/ headband/leg warmer era.

            “This is like right out of a 1980’s Jazzercise class,” I thought.  “Is this was Zumba is?  The  Jazzercize of the 2010’s?”

It was a blast from the past but a fun one.  You know how you can hear a song you haven’t heard in decades yet somehow recall all the lyrics?  Apparently, it’s the same with dance moves.  My body perked right up and followed right along as if it had done this choreography just yesterday.

Turns out this was another warm-up element.  When the third song commenced, it was, at last, time to Zumba.

Zumba, it turns out, is basically Latin dance moves with a dash of hip hop and a soupcon of bellydancing. Basically, it was a really fun dance class and I was in hog heaven.  It felt so damn good to MOVE.  I merengued and salsa’d and shimmied with my own version of 'flava'.  I shook my middle age carcass like no-one was watching. 

Before I knew it, the hour was up.  I was elated with the experience.  It felt more like a frolic than 'exercise'.  This was exactly the kind of class I’d been yearning to find...and even better, this is an ongoing class that occurs every Monday and Wednesday.  I don’t have to sign up for anything -- just show up when I’m in town. 

 
I’ll be showing up!  Zumba will be a fun and wonderful way to meet my commitment to participate in (at least) 50 Fitness Classes this year. 

Tracking Progress

Unbelievably, I'm two months into my fiftieth year...meaning that 16.67% of the time I have to complete my 50th projects has elapsed already.  (Not that I'm feeling any pressure to honour my commitments or anything.  Okay, I am.  That's the beauty of blogging about this experience).

Actually, for the most part, I'm doing well, according to the excel spreadsheet I'm using to track my progress. Since 50 Frolics or 50 Books or 50 of anything else averages out to be about one a week, it's easy to tell, at a glance, what's on track and what's not.

I'm farthest ahead in my effort to try (at least) 50 New Recipes this year.  Perhaps this is not surprising, given that I have three opportunities a day to try novel dishes.  (Who am I kidding?  Given my food intake, I have twelve chances a day to experiment with new recipes).

I'm also ahead of the game in my desire to enjoy (at least) 50 Frolics, (at least) 50 Creative Projects and many of the categories for which I'm not recording my experiences online (50 Films, 50 Visits, 50 Treats, 50 CDs).

I'm one short in the number of books I had expected to read by this point...and I'm alright with that.  At this point, I'm well on my way to reading (at least) 50 Books this year.

In contrast, I am much farther behind in my plan to enjoy (at least) 50 Water Visits this year.  I live 40 blocks away from the ocean.  It takes twenty whole minutes to drive to the shore.  As ridiculous as that sounds, it's proving challenging to find the time in my week to get to the shore. I know I'll be visiting waterfront places this summer, so hopefully I'll be able to catch up a bit.  In the meantime, I'm seeking creative ways to meet this goal.

I'm even farther behind in my desire to take (at least) 50 Fitness Classes and (at least) 50 Fun Classes this year.  In a normal year, this wouldn't be an issue -- I adore taking all kinds of classes and am usually enrolled in same.  However, this year, my schedule and my personal responsibilities in tending my mother's estate have interfered.  I've missed registration deadlines and start dates and so forth. I'm not sure how to make up for the weeks I've missed.  Interestingly, I find this turn of events ironic more than troubling.  I certainly don't want these projects to be a source of stress or dismay.

The point of all these '50' projects is to make the most of turning fifty.  The real measure of my progress is to what extent I'm enjoying this year.  By that metric, I'm doing very well indeed.

Bikram Yoga

My first planned frolic with my friend Micky didn’t unfold as expected.  First, Micky bailed.  Never mind that she was the one who suggested we try bikram yoga, the truth was it was folly for her to try.  She’d been on a juice fast for a month.  It would be irresponsible and unhealthy for her to put herself into a 90 minute 105 degree heated fitness class.

I debated whether or not to go solo.  I was tired.  I had a million things to do.  Were it not for my commitment to experience (at least) 50 Frolics this year, I’m sure I would’ve passed.

I unearthed my yoga mat and jumped in the car before I could change my mind.

Half way to class, I realized I had no water with me, nor did I have cash for the lesson.  Like a beacon, the Trader Joe’s sign signalled the answer to both problems.  I nipped inside, bought some water and took out money with my debit card.

Arriving at the birkam yoga studio, I was surprised that even the reception area was hot.  I filled out the waiver and handed the form and the cash to the person at the desk.

            “I’ve never done this before,” I said.  “What do I need to know?”

            “What kind of shape are you in,” she asked.

            “The worse shape of my life,” I admitted.

 The twenty-two year old behind the counter looked at my fifty year old visage and my doughy carcass.  She sighed and spoke as if to a child.

            “Okay, go slow.  Don’t try to do everything the first time. When you need to take a break, sit down on your mat.  We don’t want you to drink any water for the first three poses, but after that, you can drink whenever you wish.”         

            “Understood.”

I entered the yoga room.  The first thing that struck me was the smell.  Like a boy’s locker room infested with foot fungus.  The stench emanated from the room’s wall to wall carpet -- which apparently had sopped up all manner of bacteria and bodily fluids. I didn’t so much want to be standing on it with my bare feet, as was required.

The second thing that struck me was how full the room was.  Dozens of scantily clad bodies of all sizes and shapes performed a yoga mat version of a rubiks cube so all could fit inside.

The class itself was not at all what I expected.  For one thing, the instructor turned out to be the twenty-two year old  who checked me in at reception.  For another, she talked non-stop for the ninety minutes. She didn’t demonstrate or do the actions -- she just talked.  It sounds irritating but her patter was actually quite helpful in executing the different moves.  She called participants by their first name as she offered suggestions for improvement or words of encouragement.

The poses were less physically demanding than I expected.  There were a lot of balance poses, at which I sucked, but nothing i couldn’t do, despite my current, diminshed level of fitness.

There were lots more resting time between poses than expected.

The heat wasn’t unbearable as expected.

The time went by much faster than expected.

Although it didn’t seem we’d done much during the session, when it concluded, it felt like I had worked out. The real effects were felt throughout the day -- my skin felt great.  My body felt good -- as if i’d been in the steam room or a sauna.

Of course I headed straight home and scrubbed thoroughly, especially my feet.

However, I took advantage of the ‘new student introductory special’ and returned the next day.  This time, i shoved some perfume up my nose to counteract the stench.  It helped tremendously.

When I returned for my third class on day three day, I encountered the other down side of bikram yoga -- the attitudes of the fellow students.  Despite the crowded room, the waiflike woman in front of me refused to move her mat one inch in any direction to let more of us participate.

The folks in my fourth class (on day four) were nicer, thankfully.

I thought about adding birkram yoga to my weekly schedule -- going once or twice a week would be good for my balance and strength training -- two things that old fogies like me need to address. 

On the down side, the studio is twenty minutes away so any class I attend ends up taking 2 1/2 hours out of my day.   More concerning is that by the fourth class, I could feel my hip issue resurfacing.  My hip ached when i walked the dogs. When i sat too long.  Even sleeping in bed.

I’m going to wait and see how long the pain lasts. I do need to find strength training and balance that will work for me, but I’m not so sure this is the way I’ll do so.

On a brighter note, i did make it through the week without contracting any foot infections, so that was a plus.

How about you?  Have you tried Birkam Yoga?  What fitness activities do you enjoy?  Message me or leave a comment below.

Good For You

It’s relatively easy to assess one’s life for important themes or touchstones.  It’s a different process to look for the gaps -- to see the things you might want in your life that are absent.

As part of my gameplan for my fiftieth year, I’m giving some thought to precisely this:  what isn’t presently a part of my life that I’d like to be. 

Here are a couple of examples:

1.  ‘Treats’

Truthfully, self-care has not been a priority in my life so far.  I tend to get wrapped up in other things...until one day I catch a glimpse in a mirror and realize it’s been too many months since my last haircut.  Or I’ll glance down and see my fingernails look like they’ve gone through the woodchipper, which is a liability of living part time on a farm. 

The irony is that I like to get my hair cut.  It feels good.  It’s actually a treat for me.  As is a pedicure or a massage.  Or buying a bouquet of fresh flowers.  Or a wedge of some sinful, stinky cheese that has to be triple wrapped in plastic, lest it permeate the entire contents of the fridge (and jeopardize my marriage).

I do do these things...but on a random, spotty schedule. Certainly not on a regular basis.

This year, I’d like to develop the habit of treating myself well and often.  So I’m committing to indulge in (at least) 50 Treats during my fiftieth.

2.  Fitness

As I child I was not athletic.  Other than dance classes, I shied away from most physical pursuits. 

Ironically, I spent a good chunk of my forties as a part time fitness instructor teaching step, body sculpting, yoga, and more.  Unfortunately, I injured my hip and poof! my days as a gym rat were over. 

In general, I’m in good health.  Especially given my (cough) age.  Sure I walk the dogs every day -- and there is a fair amount of physical labour involved, caring for the 150 fruit trees on our farm. But, frankly, I rarely exercise.  Much as I know *how* to do proper strength training or stretching, I seldom do it.

Lately I’ve noticed that my strength is diminishing.  It’s harder to open jars or carry heavy loads of firewood.  I’m concerned.  I know how important it is for fifty year old women to keep in shape -- to protect our bone density and improve our balance and develop habits to foster wellness throughout our advancing years.

I’ve tried.  I’ve tried setting a timer to ensure a minimum amount of time per day spent stretching or doing basic stretch exercises.  I keep it up for a few days, then find it very difficult to motivate myself to continue.  I adore Wii Fit but don’t seem to be able to make it a part of my regular day.  I love attending fitness classes -- but am concerned about my re-injuring my hip.

During my fiftieth year, I resolve to find a way to work fitness into my life, regularly.

My friend Katherine set the goal of being able to do 50 PushUps by her 50th birthday.  It was a wonderful goal -- she was already quite athletic and healthy -- and the pushups helped her grow fitter and stronger.

I need a similar goal.  But I’ve never been much of a pushup person.   I do like fitness classes, though.  So the simplest solution is to commit to get my saggy ass to (at least) 50 Fitness Classes this year. 

What about you?  What’s presently missing from your life that you’d like to make a point of including in the next year?  Message me or leave a comment below.