Of a certain age...

Of a certain age. Is that a euphemism for "old" or "senior" or "mature?"

Although my mind often tells me otherwise, my body reminds me on a regular basis that I did in fact graduate from college before 1970 - a few good years before. With life expectancy increasing, technology and medicine fixing us up with bionic parts, and potions and plastic surgeons promising eternal youth, those of us who qualify for membership in AARP can hopefully expect to enjoy many more years.

Didn't 64-year-old Diana Nyad just swim 110 miles from Cuba to Florida? Of course to make that swim she had to train hard and consistently. Now, I have no desire to swim 110 miles but I certainly would like to be among the 16 percent of people over 65 who meet the federal level for "enough exercise."

I have lost count of the number of times I have promised myself to start walking regularly next Monday, or riding my bike to town. I love to hike, and living in Sisters provides me with ample opportunity. The few hikes I have done this summer were carefully chosen because they were under five miles with little elevation gain. The one that went straight up for a couple of miles nearly killed me.

So here's my resolution. September has always been my beginning of a new year, a hangover from my own school years and those of my children. I won't get a new box of crayons but I resolve to incorporate more physical activity into my daily routine. For me that will mean walking three times a week and enrolling in a qigong class at Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD). If I make too many resolutions I will break them all, but this one I want and should be able to keep. It's a place to start.

My biggest concern as I approach 70 is whether I will have the quality of life I desire and not just quantity. My commitment (or lack of it) to my own fitness and well-being will help determine the quality I enjoy. Aging is inevitable and illness occurs, but the old adage of "use it or lose it" applies.

I can help myself age with some reserves to draw on by taking care of myself with proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and appropriate exercise to keep my bones and muscles strong and my body fit and flexible.

The SAGE program (Senior Activities, Gatherings and Experiences) at SPRD is a good place to get plugged into activities for both your body and mind. Join us on Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and meet others "of a certain age" with whom to share your interests, activities and exercise. And watch for this column for words of encouragement, humor and confession.

When you see me on the street, ask how my exercise program is going.