12 reasons to get off the couch

While at the doctor today waiting to have my knee x-rayed I found myself reading a large poster mounted on the wall that was quite interesting. I was not in the mood for the poster's message, having been sidelined from exercise the last couple weeks because of a bad knee, but here goes:

If you exercise regularly you will:

1. Loose weight by boosting your resting metabolism.

2. Decrease your risk of colon cancer by 50%

3. Sleep better/less insomnia

4. Increase your longevity

5. Cut symptoms of depression by 50%

6. Reduce your risk of breast cancer by 50%

7. Cut your risk of catching a cold by 50%

8. Have increased energy

9. Reduce your risk of osteoporosis

10. Reduce the risk of developing heart disease

11. Reduce your odds of getting dementia and Alzheimer's by 30 to 40%

12. Improve your sex life!

*Exercise unfortunately means "aerobic exercise" the kind that gets your heart rate up for 30 minutes at least 5 times a week, not taking your dog out for a quick potty break.

I have been in a lot of pain that only seemed to grow worse the last couple days. I learned that I probably have a bone spur and that my knee is full of arthritis. The doctor asked me about past knee injuries and I told her the only one I could remember was a bad fall I took while skiing back in my thirties. She said that was probably when the arthritis started. Bone spurs just happen, and she thought she saw a large spur and a few small chips floating around on the x-ray. I will have an MRI to assess the extent of the tissue injury and the treatment I may need when I get back from our Florida Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, I will follow my doctor's advice and mega-dose on Advil and stay off my feet, which of course being me, I have not been doing.

After my doctor appointment today, I had a few moments of regret as I pondered the stupidity of my youth. My ex-husband, Jerry, and I flew out to Vale in a small 4-seater plane back in our thirties. (Funny how at 60 you begin to think of the thirties as your youth.) The couple we went with skied Vale every year, and on our first day on the slopes we ascended the lift to the more advanced runs. I knew I had no business being on these trails, but I thought if I just skied slowly I would be ok. The ski bunny couple would assume I was just slow, not inept. No such luck! Shortly after getting off the lift I took a bad fall. I was so embarrassed and told Jerry and the couple to just go on ahead and I would see them at the chalet later. It took me nearly three hours to get down the mountain where I proceeded to get into a good hot soak with my knee twice it's normal size. I put an ace bandage on my knee and skied the next day even though it hurt like hell. I stuck to the easier slopes and tried to work through the pain, as they say nowadays. My rationale was I would probably not get to Vale again, and the beauty of it all was breathtaking. Now, it seems, my vanity and bad judgement have come back to haunt me. I do still remember how beautiful those mountains were, however, and I can always tell the grandchildren that Grandma uses a cane because of an old ski injury.

I hope to get back to my exercise routine when this mess heals up. The doctor said SPIN and Pilates classes are actually good for knees. Until then, I will be on the couch remembering the list of 12 reasons to get off the couch.

PS. What did you expect? I'm 60 now: of course I'll be talking about my ailments!!