Duh! It's The Life Style Dummy

New Bern, NC

I can't remember how many times we were scolded by cruiser friends when we visited Marathon.   "What were you thinking, Dick? [when deciding to stay north for the winter]"

We sort of laughed it off.  After all, we are getting projects done and we did have much better family contacts during and after the holidays.   Seeing Dave and Cathy, and Jenny and John, Nick, Sara, Katelyn, Victoria, and Marilyn was very much appreciated.  So we put up with a little cold, so what?

Today came the head-slapping dope moment. We overlooked the biggest price paid for our winter layover.

Both Libby and I have suffered from two bouts each with debilitating sickness.   In addition, we have aches, pains, weaknesses, appetite and fatigue problems with frequencies unheard of in our pasts.   As I was pumping ibuprofen this morning for a persistently sore knee, the light bulb went off.  Is it just because we're getting old.   No!  It is because our life style in the past 5 months has been much less active than in the past 8 years.  Our bodies are atrophying!

Normally, we each walk a mile or two each day, and row the dinghy another mile or two.  I ride my bike about 4 miles per day.  We carry clothes to/from the laundry.  We carry groceries to/from the store.   When we're sailing, or even motoring in the boat, there's a ton of activity there.

In New Bern, exercise is sporadic.  We have a car, so naturally walking and cycling have declined precipitously.  No wonder our heath declined!!!

Fortunately, we have only one month remaining here.   Then we're off for a summer of travel and camping.  We can make sure there's lots of hiking, swimming and climbing during that time.   Next fall, we'll sell the car and resume cruising.

There is a reason why cruisers of any age look healthier and fitter than their non-cruising contemporaries.  How careless of me to forget that.    At our age, atrophy could be non-reversible so we should be extra careful.