Earlier this week, I came across a post on Facebook asking a research question.  It was aimed at people of “a certain age”.  I can’t remember the exact wording, but the gist of it was: What do you dislike about growing older?  There was a thundering response which included people complaining about looking in the mirror and not recognising the person they’d become, despair at going grey/white/bald, annoyance at gaining weight, frustration at losing teeth, ditto mobility, experiencing arthritis, wrinkles, health issues, and finally feeling invisible.  The thread went on and on.
          I added my tuppence worth.  For me, it was noticing a loss of energy.  Stamina just isn’t what it used to be.  Last year I was taking part in an anti-gravity class and was the only one who needed a ‘leg up’ into the hammock.  My upper body strength, after a freak accident with a vacuum cleaner, is absolutely hopeless.  I still have a haematoma which was being aggravated by my upper arms tugging on silks whilst trying to kick a leg in the air and hang upside down like a bat.  As the blood rushed to my head, I did wonder what the hell I was trying to prove other than looking like a Heffalump against the rest of the class who were more like ballerinas.
          Shortly afterwards, I switched to Pilates.  Which was fine.  Easy-peasy.  But I came out of the class feeling beyond depressed.  My classmates this time were no ballerinas, instead they were all of the above on the aging thread – and I just wasn’t ready to embrace this, even though I can tick quite a few of those boxes myself!  The mind is so easily influenced by its surroundings.  So now I play with Pilates at home with a YouTube tutorial.  But oh, how I long for the energy I took for granted in my twenties.  I look back and realise that I went through life like Tigger, joyfully bouncing along as if invisible springs were attached to my feet, and it was so effortless!  Somewhere along the way, the chuffing springs fell off.
          However, a new year is here and with it comes all sorts of promises to turn into a new person, and try and recapture some lost youth.  In an effort to shift middle-age spread, I’ve joined Slimming World, and in an attempt to trick my body into slowing down the aging process, I am setting targets on doing fun things.  Like sky diving.  Without the plane, I hasten to add.  Watch this space.  At some point this year there will be a wind tunnel with a hyperventilating blonde. Which reminds me.
          Some 15-year-old girlfriends met for dinner. They agreed on McDonalds next to the Sea Side Restaurant because they only had £6.50 between them.
          Ten years later, the same girlfriends, now 25-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. They agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because the band was good and there were lots of cute guys.
          Ten years later, the same girlfriends, now 35-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. They agreed on the Sea Side Restaurant because the combos were good and it was near the gym.
          Ten years later, the same girlfriends, now 45-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. They agreed to meet at the Sea Side restaurant because the martinis were big and the waiters had nice bums.
          Ten years later, the same girlfriends, now 55-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. They agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because the prices were reasonable, it had windows which opened (in case of hot flushes), and the fish was good for their cholesterol.
          Ten years later, the same girlfriends, now 65-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. They agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because they had an Early Bird Special and the lighting was good.
          Ten years later, the same girlfriends, now 75-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. They agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because the food wasn’t too spicy and it was mobility-aid friendly.
          Ten years later, the same girlfriends, now 85-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. They agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because they'd never been there before…