For the first time in 12 months, my right knee is feeling strong and stable. I haven’t needed to ice it in 3 weeks. The muscles around my knee, particularly the inside of the quads, are bulking up and the tone is back. However, I’ll never get back the medial cartilage that was removed last September.

I turned 40 in March and at least a third of my male friends have had the same operation. By the fifth decade, our bodies start to wear out. A combination of abuse, heredity and just living life starts to catch up.

In response we change. I have been forced to let some physical activities go, permanently. I have also taken up some new challenges including cycling and SUP’ing (aka Stand Up Paddle Boarding) on rivers, lakes and in the surf. These changes are all about preserving my right knee for the long term. I want to be active and pain free when 60 and the sacrifices have been much easier than I expected.

My small (and relatively minor) wake up call has been timely. I am looking after myself better and am about to embark on a whole range medical check ups including cholesterol and a bowel cancer screen (it’s in the family).

I am now stretching every morning and warming down after physical activity. I am sitting less and my time in front of computer screens (and therefore my online presence) has more than halved this year.

My Pomodoro is up and so is this post.

By the way, when was the last time you had a wake-up-call? When was the last time you had all those health checks that you know you should have? Go do it!