By Margaret Hilditch, IWC Munich
2021–2030 is the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing, but in truth, it is more than a decade long: as soon as we are born, we are already on the path to maturity and eventually older age. Our time may be long or short on this earth, and many factors influence our growth, wellness and fitness, including diet, activity, training and emotional and mental capability. My life story has had many twists and turns, and the more I reflect I realize there were times when the focus dramatically changed with regard to physical fitness in contrast to mental well-being. Fitness activities have definitely been the saviour of my mental well-being as I adapted to changes in my life. A key point of change was 20 years ago, we were skiing with friends at Reit im Winkl, when an accident on the slopes changed my mindset about fitness entirely.
It was a lovely sunny day on the slopes; we set off to ski from the top of the resort. As I set off, I remember I was relaxed and enjoying my day. As I chose my path, I noticed a snowboarder hovering with little view of my pending approach. I decided to ski around him, but unfortunately he froze as I turned and I, trying to avoid a collision, fell backward. I felt excruciating pain as my knee was twisted and bent; my skis did not release. As I walked to the ski lift, I felt a “ping” inside my knee. Yes, I had torn my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Initially, I was convinced that my skiing days would be over. A trip to a local doctor confirmed my worst fears. By the following morning, I could not walk down the stairs. We embraced all the help the medical system could offer and within twenty-four hours, I met the surgeon who explained the plan before surgery could take place; a month of physiotherapy to retain movement in my knee was required. Only after that could they perform the operation to make a new ACL from one of my tendons. Through this phase, I was incredibly grateful for the expertise of tip-top clinicians and physiotherapists.
“NO RISK, NO FUN” and “NO PAIN, NO GAIN” became mantras of the next phase – my recovery phase. I was determined I would ski again even though my mother-in-law refuted the idea. After surgery, my stay in the clinic was extended to nine days as I developed a hematoma where the tendon had been removed. On crutches, the bending movement in my leg was a mere 20 degrees! Ice packs, cabbage and quark were on the shopping list! The nightly ritual of wrapping my knee in a cabbage/quark filled bandage elicited some humorous moments (not the most romantic activity) in our marriage. Eventually, with physiotherapy to drain the fluid alongside daily exercise to reduce the swelling, I began to regain movement and could ditch my crutches. I do recall a memorable moment, the first morning after I returned home. Totally dependent on my crutches, I could not transfer a cup of coffee from the kitchen to the dining room table where I needed to sit! I suddenly thought about how this moment is a daily challenge for millions of people who have mobility issues. One step at a time and with continued daily efforts to reduce swelling and improve mobility, there was progress, and when I finally could turn the pedals on my static bicycle, I knew I had turned a corner.
Not only did my recovery involve regaining my mobility, but I had to train my brain to accept the “new Margaret” without that tendon. Sitting on a table, swinging my lower limb was deemed practical when after walking the fluid would collect around my knee. I recall a trip to Venice in June that year, and with the balmy temperatures, my knee groaned less with the activity. It was heavenly to have the assurance that my recovery was slow but sure as we crossed the Bridge of Sighs.
Several visits to my surgeon during this time assured me that the operation had been a success, but until he watched me walk and smiled broadly, I knew my recovery was still ongoing. Our time in Germany concluded in September 2001 – my memory is of packing as the media reported the terrible attack in New York.
Home again in the UK, I continued my fitness with trips to a local gym. Six months after my accident, I could bend my knee and touch my bottom (with my heel, of course!) without pain. I had achieved the ultimate goal. I skied again a year later.
In life as in music there is often a Grand Pause, that moment when you experience something that impacts you and your thoughts on health and fitness.
- For some, it is a loved one who pushes you to change your life. Read about Joan’s Transformation with fitness at 70.
- For others it is seeing themselves in the mirror in a swimsuit. Read about Ernestina Shepherd: at 79, a bodybuilder and personal trainer.
- For me it was the skiing accident that started me down the path of using it or losing it!
My fitness goals didn’t end with getting back on skis. I realized that I needed to keep moving, so I could literally keep moving as I aged. While stationed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2016, I walked the 4-km compound perimeter daily. This is where my 12,000 steps a day were born! Since then the chain has been broken a few times, but since 2018, I have kept this going unbroken for 985 days to date. My supportive husband has even walked with me around motorway car park perimeters while travelling; he knows life will be tricky if I do not meet my goal each day!
There is no doubt my daily walking routine has been at the center of my wellness regime during COVID-19. Indeed, with some additional equipment in our home gym, we have saved money and time by staying motivated at home. My parents aged very quickly in their seventies, and there is no doubt with less than two years until I clock this number, I am more motivated than ever to “keep moving” as I age. We are missing our downhill skiing this year, but we will be back on the slopes soon.
As we all age, it is important to stay active in body, mind and spirit, and I am eternally grateful for good health, supportive family and financial security as we embrace the latter years of our lives. My fitness strategy has become a physical and mental symphony over the years, as I have come to acknowledge that, like learning and performing on a musical instrument, dedication and practice are at the core of performance. Thankfully, I have been able to challenge both my piano skills and up my fitness game even during lockdown here in the UK.
“Use it or lose it” is more important than ever.
Interested in putting the cabbage and quark bandage to the test? https://youtu.be/1yDpm21hoak