With the emphasis of the news being focused on wildfire prevention in our state, it’s hard for me to focus on anything else these days.

We certainly don’t want our beautiful Rocky Mountains looking like the Smoky Mountains with plumes of smoke billowing across the entire state.

It’s terrifying to witness the devastation and heartbreak of those who have lost so much as the flames sweep across their property.

It’s imperative for all residents to be prepared, whether you live in the mountains or not.

Even those who live on the prairies can often find themselves victims of a vicious firestorm.

Look at what happened to Last Chance, Colorado. With only five homes in the entire town it will be interesting to see if this is the “last chance” for them to survive.

This just leads me to believe I need to keep up with my fitness program. I certainly haven’t considered myself a couch potato, but looking back I can see where I was making excuses for not doing a regular fitness routine.

My primary physician doesn’t like to tell me what to do as I age; he merely states, “Betty, as you have birthdays,” then lowers the boom on me.

He tells me daily exercise and a healthy diet can mean the difference between an active lifestyle and a sedentary, boring lifestyle.

Having experienced access to physical therapy and occupational therapy in my home has made a believer out of me in the importance of making time for both on a daily basis.

It’s easy to make excuses for not being mobile.

As we age, our bones and muscles seem to creak and ache more than they used to.

Sometimes we excuse ourselves from exercising because of balance issues.

I’m one who can’t walk and chew gum at the same time so it often seems more difficult to just get myself in gear to do a fitness program.

I have discovered that it takes real guts to grow old. Just when you think you have it all together something else falls off.

When I was age 69 I remember going to bed one night and waking up the next morning at age 70 and finding body parts laying all over the floor.

Since then I’ve been trying to put everything back together.

First it was knee replacement surgery, then I found out I wasn’t hearing things as I should.

I discovered I had 40% hearing loss in both ears and needed hearing aids.

Then, I broke my arm (the balance issue again). These are my golden years? Where’s the gold mine?

I’m not one to complain, but maybe I should invest in the makers of super glue just in case something else falls off or breaks.

Meanwhile, I guess I’ll limp on over to the local recreation center and stumble my way through some exercises.

Or I can just stay home and work on my fitness program. Believe me, I won’t be starting any wildfires with my fitness program, but it just may be my “last chance” for surviving the aging process.

Growing old isn’t for the faint of heart.

Trust me, I know! My 88th birthday is just around the corner.

Email Betty Heath at begeheath690@aol.com.