Introduction: Watching and Wondering

Working in Costco, I see everything—from towering pallets of toilet paper to giant carts brimming with coffee, rotisserie chicken, peanut butter-filled pretzels and dog beds. But more than the products, I notice the people.

On any given day, I see two very different pictures of aging. On one side, frail folks loping along with oxygen tanks, walkers, or scooters—pale, fragile, sometimes weighed down with three or four little white pharmacy bags, only to pile Doritos and Ding Dongs into their carts. Many stop for a chat, and I wonder if it’s the only conversation they’ll have that day. Honestly? It breaks my heart and scares me for my own future.

Then there are the others. The silver fox couples who glide through the aisles, smiling, holding hands, their carts full of fruits, veggies, and protein. They look vital, glowing, strong—like they’ve just come from pickleball. They remind me that there is another road, and I know which one I want to take.

Mobility and balance are the fork in that road. They decide whether we’re wobbling with fear or striding with confidence. And at 50ish, I’ve decided it’s not too late to choose fabulous.

The Shift from Hardcore to Gentle

Ten years ago, my Pinterest was full of hardcore workouts—burpees, CrossFit, HIIT plans that promised abs of steel. I used to dream about that pink polka dotted bikini and thought nothing of pushing my body to exhaustion.

Now? The back handsprings of the 80s are long gone. I’m not chasing gold medals, I’m chasing confidence—on icy sidewalks, in grocery aisles, and yes, even when chasing Gus, who thinks squirrels are his personal calling.

That doesn’t mean I don’t admire those 50+ ladies running marathons or deadlifting 200 pounds. I salute you! Truly. But I’m also realistic: I need a plan that works for me, one I’ll actually do and one that builds not just muscle, but trust in my own body again.

Minnesota Winters and a Reality Check

A couple months ago, I read an article that said Minnesota has the highest percentage of hip fractures in the U.S. Well, of course we do! Snow + ice = instant skating rink. But it also made me think back to last winter—walking Gus with my legs stiff, knees tense, always expecting the worst.

So I invested in spiked slip-ons for my boots, but that wasn’t enough. I knew if I wanted to move through winter with confidence, I had to build strength in my core, knees, and ankles. That’s when I bought a Bosu Balance Board.

Let me tell you, I thought it would be easy. Just stand on it and rock back and forth. How hard could it be? Famous last words.

My Balance Board Comedy Show

Here in Minnesota, we’re famous for our polite “Ope!” when we bump into something. On that balance board, I went from Ope to Oopsy Daisy to Whoa Nellie to Good Golly, all the way up to Gabdammit and the F-bomb!

The first two weeks, I was bent over, clutching the back of a chair like it was a lifeline. My abs were shaking, my ankles were screaming, and Gus was looking at me like, Are you okay, Mom?

But you know what? It worked. Slowly, I found my balance. I added planks, ankle lifts, and stretches, and now I’m standing taller. No, I don’t have washboard abs (and I’m okay with that), but I feel powerful. Stronger. Steadier. More confident.