I started my day by tuning into a podcast video on YouTube while preparing myself to leave the house for my Osteo Bone-Builders class. This class is part of the RSVP or Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Oswego County, Central NY, which receives support from both the state and federal levels. I’ve been an instructor for the class, averaging about 10 people, for seven years.
Specifically designed for individuals aged 55 and above, the Osteo Bone-Builders class is a one-hour bone-strengthening exercise regimen developed by Tufts Medical University. We use weights in our hands and wrapped around our ankles to build muscles and strengthen our bones, which tend to get brittle as we age. Sucks, but that’s the way it is. Currently, I have a six-pound weight in each hand and eight-pounders wrapped around each ankle. It was a lot more before COVID. But enough of that…
Let’s dive into the intriguing topic of height discrepancies.
When it comes to stating one’s height, especially among men, there seems to be a tendency to round up. While the average height of a man, according to various search engines, is 5’9″, individuals measuring 5’11” often claim to be 6 feet tall. This phenomenon prompts reflection on how our perception of age and measurements changes over time.
In my childhood and during my son’s growth years, there was a trend of adding “and a half” to one’s age, reflecting a desire to appear a bit older. You asked how old he was, and he would respond, “I’m 4 and a half.” Always looking toward being a little older.
It’s just the opposite as we get older.
Men and women, too, are no different. When asked about their age, we get younger. Instead of being 65, I’m now in my early 60s. I don’t have to dip into my IRA quite yet. But Skip, my husband, will by next summer. The same phenomenon happens with our weight.
