I spend a lot of time here telling you what I think, explaining something I’ve read, or elaborating on conversations I see elsewhere on social media.
I write a fair amount about the research that I think would interest you, and I explain what I’ve learned after 30 years as an orthopedic surgeon through my powers of observation and ability to listen. I also share what I believe matters if your goal is to stay active, capable, and independent as you age.
But… Today, I’d like to do the opposite.
Some of the most useful things I’ve written this past year didn’t come from a journal article or a conference. They came from conversations with patients and Members who told me what they were struggling with. Not what I assumed they were struggling with, but what was actually getting in their way.
So I’d like to ask you something.
What is the biggest obstacle standing between you and the life you want to be living ten years from now?
Maybe it’s pain.
Maybe it’s motivation.
Maybe it’s fear that you’ll make things worse if you start exercising.
Maybe it’s finding the time.
Maybe it’s knowing what to do.
Maybe you’ve been doing everything “right” and still aren’t seeing the progress you hoped for.
Or maybe it’s something I haven’t written about because I’m looking at this through the eyes of a physician instead of through yours.
I’m asking because I want this newsletter to be useful.
The Saturday Action Plans, the deep dives, the guides, the myth-busting posts, the podcasts... they’re all better when they’re guided by the problems you’re actually trying to solve.
Help me to help you… Let’s have a conversation.
For me, as a longtime ultra-distance runner who also does strength/mobility at age 57, I’m overall satisfied and feel youthful. The issue I struggle with (but am making peace with) is the comparison trap of comparing myself to how I performed in my forties. I hope I’ll still traverse mountains and my body won’t hurt as I do it in my late sixties. If I can, I want to celebrate that and be in the moment rather than bemoan how much slower I move and how much more rest I need. I’m grateful I still feel motivation for that. Related: it’s an ongoing struggle in my long marriage that my spouse is uninterested in working out, and he’s aging more rapidly. So a limitation for me may be feeling lonely and frustrated that I can’t share my outdoor adventures with my partner because he lacks the physical capability and motivation. I learned long ago that I can’t change him, and our marriage has lasted in part with the attitude “you do you,” and he is fine with how he is and generously supports my sport. But he’s not very healthy, which pains me. I’m sure I’m not the only reader in your health-conscious audience who faces this issue with their partner!
I am going to be 78 in September. I am fairly fit as I have maintained a workout of some description since my late 30s. Jane Fonda, running , step workouts, cardio kickboxing. I didn't get serious about weights until my 60s when hiking became my passion and I struggled to do steep climbs. But now, late 70s, I am struggling with arthritic knees, my right hand, my elbows are getting grumpy. My fear is how to keep my fitness level. There isn't much information for women my age. I was so happy to find you because you make so much sense and aren't selling something. However you seem to be geared mostly to men which is fine. Lots of your advice works for both genders. I have modified my workouts. Resting more. Eating more protein. Taking supplements. Knees are biggest problem. My biggest fear is to lose my mobility.