Can you cut your own toenails?
What is the matter with you Dean?
Long story, but stick with me here.
To be honest, I never even had thought about it before. Of course I can cut my own toenails!
So how did my new found interest in foot hygiene get started? When I started reading the book "Spring Chicken: Stay Young Forever (or die trying)".
The author, Bill Gifford, is talking about some of the things that indicate how well we are aging, and how such things are tested. One of those tests we have talked about a number of times, balance. Specifically the ability to balance on each foot for 30 seconds each is a validated measure of aging. Blah, Blah. Heard it all before.
But the toenail thing caught my attention.
He was talking about another huge indicator of where we are in the aging process; Mobility.
And while we've talked about that too, I just had never thought about it in quite those terms. Not being able to touch my toes? I've had that challenge my whole life.
But not even having the flexibility to reach and cut my own toenails? Is that even a real thing?
Ummm yeah, it is.
That frightens me. I don't want to have to subject someone else to that task, never mind anything having to do with other bodily functions and hygiene tasks.
And for those of you who like your pedicures, I get it. But not being able to cut your own toenails is different than enjoying a bit of pampering.
It's funny how your goals and priorities change as you get older. I mean I still want to hike and bike, and lift heavy weights.
But now I've added to that list.
I want to be able to cut my own toenails until the day I drop dead, which will hopefully be doing something really fun.
And it ain't going to happen on it's own. I know that I am going to have to consistently work on my strength, balance, mobility, and flexibility; now and always.
I don't have the luxury of taking days, and weeks, and months off from training at a time. The older we get the faster we lose those things and the harder they are to get back. Gotta stay ahead of the curve.
Nobody wants to cut your nasty toenails either. 🙂
We are in this getting older thing together. So keep making it happen.
Don't quit. Don't ever give up. Don't ever stop trying.
We are with you.
- DC