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Oh, Just Shut Up! A Seniors Rant at Young Health Nuts.
That's Right! I said Shut Up!
We Baby Boomers and other Seniors are tired of all of the advertisements for everything from Gyms to Smartphone Apps, to books, that flood the market attempting to hook people into the latest health fad.
Just stop showing the "perfect bodies" prancing around on the screen, deceiving the public with your implications that they are examples of what you will look like if your take their bait.
First of all, those people are professional models. Typically, they were lucky enough genetically to be born with the bodies they have, and the maintenance of these bodies often requires very little work.
I guess the easiest way to say this is that they are not examples of the term "average". They, like other models, are actually an anomaly, physically and make their living showing off what they look like.
We're tired of the Hype.
The really crappy thing about all of those ads we see every day are, from our perspective, one of two types.
The first type is that those of us who broke bones, and tore muscles in our youth would eve look like the professional models. Models no more represent the average Senior than a statue of Adonis.
The second type is even more ridiculous. They show several "white-haired" people confined to wheelchairs happily tossing a ball back and forth. Well, guess what, the vast majority of us are not in wheelchairs ..... Yet!
And, just stop it, we Seniors and Boomers are tired of the attempts by companies to delude us into thinking we are;
1- much younger, physically, than we actually are, or washed up and tied to wheelchairs.
2- capable of changing our physique into anything resembling that of the professional models used in the ads,
3- able to actually perform the physical programs they espouse, and
4- actually want to try to change our lifestyle for their own money-grubbing dream.
Where are the REAL Bodies?
OK, What really burns me up is the fact that when I walk down the street, I see the worlds Bell Curve Distribution of people.
In case you never took a class in statistics, simply put, the theory of the Bell Curve is that if you make a large enough sample of a population of anything; and then you graphed the data, it would show a bell-shaped curve of the distribution of the measurements.
If the data you measure is truly random, then some measurements will be high, some will be low, and the majority will be in the center, Thus the bell-shaped curve of the data.
The same goes for people. If you are looking at their size for example, some will be large, some will be thin, and the majority will be distributed in the center.
But, what burns me up is the fact that we humans are not like those "perfect people" we see in the ads. A few of us are in great condition, a few are in horrible condition, and the vast MAJORITY are in average condition.
So, where are the REAL people in those gym ads, and those clothing ads, and those healthy food ads, etc.?
They imply that, all of us, the majority of the population, can be just like that small few that are way out there on the edge of the Bell Curve.
Senior's bodies have been abused.
That's right, we Seniors may not have actually intentionally abused our bodies, but we "sure as Hell" wore them out.
Many of us worked jobs that took a physical toll on our bodies, to the point that although we may be walking around, looking normal and healthy, underneath the smiles, we are hurting somewhere, most of the time.
Oh, it might just be achy joints, or it might be a bad back, or it could just be a foot that was injured long ago and now is painful with every step. Even worse, it could be a constant Kidney, or Liver, or Heart, or Lung problem that requires constant medication and monitoring.
As you get older, you find out that the list of ailments seems endless as your body succumbs to numerous seemingly new pains.
So, when you see that old man or woman struggling down the sidewalk, often wit a cane or a "walker" give them room and maybe a smile.
You see, they might be hurting, but they are taking their life, literally "one step at a time".
And often their physical condition is a result putting in a lifetime working at a job that wore their bodies out. (Kind of like you? Maybe?)
And by the way, in the vast majority of cases, those jobs they labored at were not illegal. They were the norm for those days in industry, even though today such working conditions might not even be allowed due to the inherent dangers involved to the one who performed the job.
They lifted weights that are now illegal,
They worked around chemicals that are now illegal to be around,
They worked in temperatures and oxygen-deprived conditions that are now illegal.
They worked near or on equipments that could kill or at least maim, without safety standards to protect the worker.
But, they got the job done and they survived.
Yes, Seniors do want a SMART Exercise Program
So, cut the Crap, please!
We may not look like your cute models, but overall we are in better shape than any generation of retirees in history. And, we are going to live longer.
And we Seniors that can get around, want to stay around,
So, it should be no surprise that we want to be able to exercise and extend their lives, as much as the youth of today do.
If you want to make a buck off of us, get your head out of your Butt, and give us what we want.
We don't want another pain pill, rather, we want a device or smart Body Management program that allows us to do more things that we love.
Take your fancy gym equipment that's designed for a twenty-something to attack with their still young bodies, and give us equipment that exercises worn and torn muscles and makes them work better, but doesn't tear them up in the process.
Give is a way to eat smarter, and even with our reduced metabolisms, maintain a healthy body, not necessarily a slim, muscled-up body. Those days are long gone.
We want a healthy body, and to Hell with our; bulging bellies, skinny legs, weak arms, etcetera, as long as we can do the things we love.
We want to Swim, Fish, play Golf, walk regularly, and more. And then, we want to go to a nice Tiki Bar and have a glass of w nice wine, and make fun of the young foxes chasing the girls around. Kind of like we once did. LOL!
Oh, and by the way, I'll let you young Gen-Xers or whatever you call yourselves in on a secret. We don't ind your laughing at us as we limp around and dance with our worn-out bodies. in fact, we laugh at you, because we know something you haven't stopped to realize.
When you are our age, you will be in the same shape as us, and your bodies will be attacking you like ours are us.
That is if you live to be our age! LOL!
5-Minute Exercise for Boomers
Strength Exercises for Seniors
Knee Strengthening Exercises for Boomers
Osteoporosis Exercise
Don Bobbitt's Authors Page
- Amazon.com: Donald W Bobbitt: Published Books.
Click here to se Don Bobbitt's Authors page, for a list of all of his published books, in both paperback and Kindle formats.
Comments
In theory the fitness industry should be targeting the mature as much, if not more than the young. Yes we're willing to spend a sizeable chunk of our income towards health and fitness but for others it could be the difference between a better, more fulfilled life into old age. It's about time more was done
I was howling at the title...I hurt my ribs laughing at the actual article. Right on my friend.
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billybuc, old Son!
I'm glad you enjoy my rage! LOL!
I just get so damned tired of the world trying to "shove me aside". I am definitely not through with this world or the idiots I run into regularly.
In fact, I may have to limp there, but I am going to the nearest Tiki Bar and have myself a cold glass of a decent wine to adjust my attitude.
Have a great day, yourself!
DON
Don, I love you, man. Tell it like it is. I'm battered, beaten up, and worn well past retirement age, but I still work a normal 40 or more hours a week. I can't exercise because I somersaulted through an overturning bus a few years ago, so I'm thankful that the garment industry is making the waist sizes proportionately larger than they did 10 years ago. At least I don't have to resort to tent dresses. You did a great job on this one.
You attitude is just fine and your rant fully justified. I am fine thank you very much. Why would I have worked so hard to get to where I am if I wanted to look like I have not gotten there?
And I have a son who looks like that and is a model - punk! On a hike I can still get to where he is going, it just takes me longer.
Great fun article for a boomer like me.
I agree with you. It seems there's no "happy medium," as we're either considered totally helpless or still looking like models. Actually there's lots of us who don't fit the image, but fall somewhere in the middle. We have a few physical problems to deal with, but we do, and we go on. Voted this up all the way. Thanks for sharing.
LOL, Don! As a fitness and sports nutritionist, personal trainer, and naturopathic doctorate candidate... I was howling like Bill at your article! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm nearly 50... so I guess I'm not a senior yet... but I'm getting close. I understand about the bumps and bruises. Heck! I just abused myself 2 weeks ago falling down some wooden stairs! I still have the marks and now newly formed eggs trying to heal. But, I like what you're asking for. I will take it all into consideration for upcoming articles and books. Thank you for the motivation!
By the way, those models are not as gifted as we give them credit. I've been in this industry for way too long. They go through a stringent 12-16 weeks program of exercise and diet. The week before the photo shoot, they practically starve and dehydrate themselves. Once the photoshoot is over, the food rage forms. It's not a pretty picture after the actual picture. Trust me! But, it's what the public wants so the media gives it to them. Or, maybe it's the other way around. Nonetheless, it's a vicious cycle our western world has created to promote ego and $$$.
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Mizbejabers- That's what I'm talking about!
These young fools that think they are going to live forever and never have any health problems are living in their own little world of delusions.
Parts are going to stop working right. They won't fall off, but by Gosh! They are going to wear out.
And, as we grow as a voting block of Seniors, just like the Vets (I'm one of those also!) we need to turn the screws on Washington.
Silent Majority my Butt!
DON
Awww... Don! I enjoyed your hub so much, but it seems you deleted my original comment. I hope you didn't think I was posting to advertise. I was actually being sincere. Just ask any of our mutual friends here (Bill). I'm sorry if I offended in anyway. My comment was only meant to support you. Anyway, thank you for the humor and providing insight for seniors. ;)
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Ericdeirker- You hit the nail right on the head.
Our Seniors bodies should be revered the same as we do a classic piece of furniture. The "Patina" on a well used chair or table increases its worth to the world.
So should our wrinkles, scars and other signs of wear! LOL!
Anyway, thanks for the comment,
DON
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Abby Campbell- Come on, Girl. I apologize, but when I read a short comment with no real content and a link to a site in it, I just automatically delete it.
Sorry about that, but there are so many Spammer out there now that I think we all have these knee-jerk reactions.
Humor an old man. Give me something to read and then a link?
Have a great day.
DON
Don - Link to a site? I never added a link. Maybe you're thinking of someone else??? No big deal though! I still enjoyed your article! Have a great day! :-)
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Cycling Fitness- You are absolutely right. And, even with the growing population of Seniors, all of whom have much longer projected lifespans, we are essentially still ignored by this enormous health industry.
I have always doubted the IQ of most Marketeers that I have had to work with in the past, and our being ignored does nothing to change my opinion.
DON
I had what is described as a "minor" heart attack a few months ago. After the hospital and such I was enrolled in a cardio rehab program a a local hospital which consisted of three days a week doing moderated exercise on gym equipment, treadmill, rowing machine etc. I do followup exercise which means to walk my dog, and other aerobic exercise. Primarily, I rely on exercise videos which is much less expensive than gym memberships, equipment etc. For us older folks I think it works well.
There is one thing I have become a believer in is HIIT or High intensity interval training.
Someday, all the health nuts will be dying of nothing.
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Nancy Hardin- My point exactly.
If you want to impress us Seniors, especially the Baby Boomers, show one of us panting as we walk into a fitness center for Seniors, beer belly and all. Then show us, not some svelte touched up photo, but with maybe half the belly, but capable of actually walking upright and doing a loop at the local Mall with only minimal pain.
Then, I'll be impressed.
Thanks for the comment,
DON
Don - For some reason you don't seem to like me, but in all due respect, I ask that you just remove my comment as well as your reply. You are trying to make me look bad here when I didn't ever post a link to your comments. Very foolish of you when I was trying to only befriend you. Just do me that favor please! If not, I will have to report this to my dear HP friend Robyn who is the wife of the owner.
By the way, I know Bill and Eric very well. And, they know I would never do anything to try to offend you.
Yah! Somebody finally speaking up for us "real" senior citizens/baby boomers. lol It's all true what you said. Do they think we are dumb enough to think we could look like those people they show? Between the arthritis and the osteopenia and the replaced left knee that I have, there isn't much chance of me using those machines or even walking or riding a bike. I could walk of course, but not up a mountain path like I saw on one TV ad. Thanks D0n, you put it so eloquently.
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Abby Campbell- Whoops, I guess?
I had a comment yesterday that was a simple sentence and a link to a site. If it wasn't you, then I do apologize.
DON
Thank you for the awesome article I loved your RANT. I am in full agreement with MizBejabbers. Even though I am a retired nurse my profession left me with war injuries unparalleled anywhere. I also feel battered, beaten up and worn out. I have scars, wrinkles and cellulite that I will never get rid of nor do I care anymore, (to a degree). Most of us are rowing in the same boat.
There is a definite difference between exercise for the young and the seniors on those television shows. I do not put much stock into those models on television, they lack much of the wisdom we have gained over the years. And, in case you have not noticed there is a big lack of common sense these days among the younger generation. Stop listening to this.
Without the camera tricks, makeup artists and hair designers to weave all those long locks of hair they are just plain Janes' and Joes' like us.
Seniors can stay fit and healthy with some sensible lifestyle changes benefiting their health and keeping them fit for a unique style of living. This is also a personal preference. We need to keep healthy to have fun and travel and do what we want, when we want, where we want and how we want. This is the glory of retirement.
Carolann
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Will Starr- I love it.
Is that what you would call "Poetic Justice"?
Thanks Will,
DON
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Abby- What?
Don
I am 24 years old and I have a gym membership. I realize however that the fitness industry is somewhat of a scam, because most of the people who fit the stereotype of a trainer, did not get that way naturally. As an athlete I go to the gym and work hard, but not to make my body look a certain way. I am working towards the goal of being able to play sports at the highest possible pace for as long as possible on any given day.
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Rachel L.Alba- You are so right.
These idiots do not have a clue what the average Senior goes through physically.
I suppose their game is a "young mans" game and they laid off all of the older employees? LOL!
DON
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nurse240- As I said to Rachel L.Alba just now, They must have laid off all of their older staff members and are operating without any older people to give them any perspective about our age group. LOL!
DON
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Josh Ruga- You are so right, Exercise and a healthy diet and sweat is the way an athlete gets to the top of their physical goals. All of those shortcuts like drugs just lead to damage physically and often mentally.
Thanks for the comment,
DON
I am a very healthy senior citizen, thank goodness. I did lose a kidney because of a kidney stone, though (wrote a Hub about that). I live very well with just one kidney.
I don't mind wrinkles cause I think I have earned every one.
Loved reading this Hub. Voted UP and shared.
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mary615- Good Comment.
As you have read, I have a Kidney Transplant and I am luck enough for it to be still "ticking" quite well.
Did you know that 1 in seven people are born with only one Kidney and many go through their whole life without ever knowing it?
Thanks for the read and comment,
DON
I really enjoyed the comments from other oldsters, and I would like to add one more while it is in my short memory LOL. I have bad chronic fatigue from a spine injury. I tried to go back to my walking routine, but every day my walk got shorter and shorter because I became "shorter" of breath. After the third day I gave up. When I flunked a treadmill test, the young squirts administering the test told me that I needed to exercise because I was so out of shape. I told them that I couldn't because of chronic fatigue. The little smart asses insisted that exercise would cure my problem. My doctor has since put me on some medication that helps, and it at least lets me get through a grocery shopping trip without having to go back to the car and let my husband finish, but that's all. I wanted to bump a couple of young smart alec heads together because they knew soooo much more than I did.
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Mizbejabbers- It is amazing to me how people who are supposed to be health care professionals can literally ignore what a Senior patient is trying to tell them.
Too often I see a condescending look in their eyes as they try to hustle you out of the room.
I am seeing that many Doctors offices have that 10-minute (or 15?) that Medicare pays for, and operating to a schedule is more important to their bottom line than actually taking the time to discover the patients real problems.
Its the world we live in.
Me? I just insult them and make them sit back down and answer my questions. I personally discovered long ago that a DOCTOR can kill you with their lack of concern.
Oh Well, Thanks for the comment,
DON
Ain't it the truth! I do take exercise here in Sun City where we celebrate just being out there and doing/trying. Bodies age! I did a hub on physical therapy kinda based on the crap I got from the young people overseeing my therapy... Enjoyed the hub!
Ain't it the truth! I do take exercise here in Sun City where we celebrate just being out there and doing/trying. Bodies age! I did a hub on physical therapy kinda based on the crap I got from the young people overseeing my therapy... Enjoyed the hub!
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NMLady- Personally, I think more of us, the Seniors and boomers of the world, need to stand up to these insults we get and let the world know, person by person, that we have had enough of their disrespect and that we are still viable and contributing members of society.
DON
Lol! I couldn’t count the calories I’ve probably burned up by laughing while reading this delight. Thank you! My biggest pet peeve is the horrific regime models undertake before doing a photo shoot…and that doesn’t take into consideration all of the photo shopping and air brushing to the photos before they are published. Publishers and advertisers must think we all just bounced off of a turnip truck someplace. My take is that the very last thing I want to look like, is them. I prefer natural beauty. Voted up.
A few years back, I applied for a job in California after moving here from MN. I was shocked that the teaching position I was applying for actually required fingerprints! I was even more shocked when I found out that I, apparently, have no fingerprints left! The agency had to take the impressions over and I had to press really hard to get the lines to show up. I tell everyone that's all because I worked my fingers to the bone :) -lots of years of dish washing and working in the garden, I guess.
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Billie Kelpin- Your Comment is just too funny.
But, for many of us in our generation, also too true.
A Life of Hard Work should NOT be rewarded with negligence by our healthcare system.
Thanks for the read and comment,
DON
LOL. Couldn't resist the title - I love a rant too! Largely agree - but I have a total knee replacement and took up Nordic walking a few months ago. Still haven't achieved celebrity dimensions though, and now realise not likely too! C'est la vie.
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Glenis Rix- I do admit that I try to avoid sanity and write a good rant whenever I can. I just sleep better when I can purge my brain of whatever is bothering me.
And, for instance, when I am walking (often painfully) and adding "just one more mile" to my days exercise, sure as hell some twenty-something is going to creep up behind me either jogging or riding their fancy bike, and at the last minute shout, "passing on the left".
Now, I know they think they are being polite, but to my worn out and hurting brain they may as well be saying, "get out of the way, old man!".
Whoops! I have to stop here, I am about to go off on another one. LOL!
Thanks for the read and comment,
DON
Right on, Don!! I'm not a baby boomer but I share your frustration with health nuts. Enough already! You're not better than everyone else LOL
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kalinin1158- Glad you liked my little Rant!
I really don't know why, but the marketing moguls of the world think that the public really believes they can look like those "deformed" models they use in ads.
And, really, just how many people really believe they can lose 30 or more pounds in a week, if they take a pill that is usually listed as being filled with caffeine.
Anyway, they keep on with their trick, while I and the rest of the "Normal" world just change the channel.
Have a great day,
DON
I'm a Baby Boomer who lives in an "active adult community." I love that there are so many exercise programs here that are designed for people our age. It is a lot more comfortable working out in a gym where most of the people are in their 60's, 70's, 80's or even older.
Got to agree with what you say Don! Guess I'm lucky, as my gym actually runs plenty of activities/fitness classes for seniors. Like you, though, I wish some of the ads would allow for people who looked like real people for a change.
Don: OMG...did I ever love this one! Laughed (and cried a bit, too) all the way through it. Rather than being angry at the young, I feel sorry for them because I know what they will be facing as they age. As far as I'm concerned, if I'm still standing, I'm happy. Great job on this one. Voted up.
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Snakesmum- There you go, People who look like People! People with bad backs, worn out shoulders, elbows and wrists that hurt most of the time, and knees! OMG, bad knees can change how you do everything.
Thanks for the Read and comment,
DON
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Timetraveler2- Yeah! I guess I was venting a little. Huh?
And you're right, if they are lucky enough to live to "a ripe old age" then they too will feel the pains we now have.
It is a amazing to me how, everyone in the commercials, even the supposed "old-timers" look like Greek Gods and Goddess'.
Oh well, as I tell my friends (the few that are still alive, LOL!) It's a great day, I woke up this morning!
Have a great day,
DON
I think it was Jack Benny who said if he had known he was going to live this long, he would have taken better care of himself!
I am fortunate in that I have no health issues so far. I figure one day all my body systems will just shut down at once, but until then.....
Thanks Don for speaking up for us Baby Boomers. There is no way we can keep looking as good as out TV counterparts, but we can slow the aging process and even take some years off some of the wear and tear by just improving our diets. We are healthier and. happier than ever, but we are also drugged to the max. Ok time to get up it almost noon. Good Hub.
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the rawspirit- When people ask me how I am doing, I respond with;
"Well, I woke up this Morning!"
For some reason this throws the young people off of their pace for a moment, but my fellow Seniors just laugh and the conversation goes on.
Wonder Why?
Thanks for the read and comment,
DON
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