Apprime Fit by Michelle Blank Blog #7: Operation Keep Mom-mom Moving!
Over July 4th weekend I had the opportunity to visit my family and a few friends in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Though I travel up that way a few times a year, this trip I actually was able to enjoy my visit and spend a decent amount of time with my family. For the first time in almost twenty years both of my brothers and my mother were all on the beach together. We had a great day playing with my niece and nephew mainly in the water as it was scorching hot. We also had a nice dinner and night out for my mom’s 60th birthday. I know I’ve said it before, but it is so important to cherish times like these as they don’t happen often.
During my trip, “Operation Keep Mom-Mom Moving” was put into full effect. My mom-mom has been my idol and mentor since I was born. My mom-mom is 83 and has been a widow since she was 51. As long as I’ve known her she has been a strong, caring, single, independent woman. She was there for my brothers and me throughout our childhood, she drove me to gymnastics, took my friends and I wherever I asked her to - to the movies, mall and baseball games etc. I would sit with her for hours putting puzzles together or doing arts and crafts. We even went on camping trips, just the two of us. One of our most memorable trips was to Boston to watch the 1996 USA Gymnastics Olympic Trials. Side note: I’m so excited to watch the Olympics starting next week especially the Gymnastics! Both the Women and Men’s teams should do well! I was so blessed to have her with me when I won my Pro Card and when I placed 6th at last year’s Olympia.
I’ve always loved bragging about how my grandmother went on camping trips by herself - almost every month of the year and was still working. My mom-mom was working at a restaurant until last summer when she had a fall resulting in some health issues which has kept her from going back to work. It has been difficult for her to stay active. With the health issues and lack of activity she hurts more than she ever had. She is struggling to eat properly.
When she was working it was easy for her to be active and she did not worry about her diet. At the age of 83 she is trying to learn how to eat properly and also how to stay active. The heat in New Jersey this summer has not helped. It makes it difficult for her to get motivated to leave the house. I tried sending her an at-home workout kit, but that was not very successful. She has issues with drinking enough water so I sent her Emergen-C packets, which she does use, to add to the water. It gives the water some flavor and sneaks in some vitamins which she does not get from her diet. Trying to get her to eat right has been a struggle. The main issue is that as we age our taste buds change but it’s the same excuse most people that don’t eat well use, “I don’t like the way it tastes”. That is just a preconceived notion people have.
I tried motivating my mom-mom over the phone, encouraging her to go to the gym and to the senior center. Prior to my trip she had started back to the gym and started attending Church again. I did not tell her I was going to be in town and showed up on the day she was supposed to go to the gym. She tried to tell me she was not going that day, but that was not a choice. Since she was sore from going earlier in the week, she did not feel up to going. The problem was that she had not been going consistently enough and was not used to the soreness she felt after. When we went to the gym, mom-mom was excited to introduce me to the owners and people in her class. I was able to get my workout done while she was in her class so we both ended up having a terrific workout.
After the gym we took a ride over to the senior center. Though we had talked on several occasions about her going, until I took her she had never been. We met one of the workers and talked about the activities that were available. On our way out we ran into a 95 years young man named Jack. He was very energetic and insisted that I punch him in the stomach. Yes he had abs of steel at the age of 95.
My mom-mom and I had a terrific day and I wish I could do that with her every day or until she would be in a pattern of doing it on her own. For 83 she is very sharp and gets around pretty well and I want to help her stay that way. Though I live far away, I’m trying my best to keep her motivated. She is the reason I am the woman I am today. She has always supported me and motivated me to be the best I could be and now it’s time for me to support and motivate her.
“We’ve put more effort into helping folks reach old age than into helping them enjoy it.” ~ Frank A. Clark
This quote is unfortunately so true. From the time we are born we are surrounded by people and things encouraging us to grow, improve and do more.
At some point we begin going in the opposite direction. Fewer people are there encouraging us to do more, most people are saying to take it easy and do less. No matter what our age, we all need encouragement and motivation.
We have all had days were we need a push to get us to the gym. When you are younger there are plenty of reasons or incentives to get you there, yet make excuses for not going. Imagine what your motivation might be when you’re older. It’s not as though being beach body ready is of importance when you are eighty years old. However, being around as long and as healthy as possible to see your grandchildren and great grandchildren grow is a motivator, but people need to be reminded of those reasons which start from a 
call from those grandkids.
You know the saying "out of sight out of mind" well - that is what happens to our elders. They begin to do less and stop going out as much. They don’t want to be a bother so they stop making phone calls. In our own busy life we forget to take the time to reach out to them and motivate them to do things. So take time to visit your elderly neighbor - ask them to go for a walk - invite them over for dinner, or just give them a call. Let’s not forget about our older generation. We will all hopefully be there someday. I know I have no plans on staying inside and watching TV all day when I’m older. I plan on jumping around and doing handstands until my last breath.
Be fit and Go USA!
Michelle Blank
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