Why Did I Come into This Room?: A Candid Conversation about Aging

by Joan Lunden

Overview

Why Did I Come into This Room? is a funny “What to Expect When You're Expecting” for the aging woman.

“I’m too old for Snapchat, but too young for Life Alert.”

In her most candid and revealing book yet, acclaimed broadcast journalist and Baby Boomer Joan Lunden delves into the various phases of aging that leave many feeling uncomfortable, confused, and on edge. In her hilarious book, Lunden takes the dull and depressing out of aging, replacing it with wit and humor. After all, laughing is better than crying—unless it makes you pee! Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or more, this book is full of helpful information to embrace—or at least prepare for—the inevitable.

Funny, captivating, and raw, no topic is off limits. Lunden goes where others fear to tread, openly talking about wrinkles and age spots (which Lunden insists are sunspots), expanding waistlines (no, you didn’t shrink your jeans), diminished energy (my get-up-and-go got up and went), weak pelvic floors (yes, we’re talking about leaking), hot flashes (they suck), disrupted sleep (the morning host is an expert on lack of sleep), changes in sex drive (oh yeah, she goes there), ageism (it exists and it pisses us off), and yes, the real reasons we suddenly find ourselves always searching for those car keys!

Through her poignant and often laugh out loud funny personal experiences, Lunden candidly shares her anxieties and breakthroughs and how she’s coping with the realities of aging. She’s talking about the good, the bad and the ugly, elevating the conversation on topics often considered “taboo.”

Why Did I Come into This Room? also explores the science of aging, including how it impacts the body and brain, while dispelling myths and revealing useful options to stave off the aging process as long as possible.

Even more importantly, Lunden goes beyond the physical aspects of aging by closely examining the mental and emotional minefields that come with our advancing years. As she explores the value of asking ourselves important questions including, “Am I still relevant?”, “Do I have meaningful friendships?”, and “Am I leaving an impactful legacy?” Lunden also examines the freedom in “letting go,” the importance of managing stress, and how joy and a sense of purpose all play an impactful role in slowing the aging process.

In a society where youth is revered and aging feared, Why Did I Come into This Room? is the long-awaited tell-it-like-it-is guide for women of all ages. As Lunden says, “Aging ain’t for sissies...you better be prepared.”

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781948677295
Publisher:	Forefront Books
Publication date:	03/10/2020
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	493,274
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

An award-winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, and women’s health & wellness advocate, Joan Lunden has been a trusted voice in American homes for more than 30 years. For nearly two decades, Lunden greeted viewers each morning on Good Morning America bringing insight to the day’s top stories. As the longest-running female host ever on early morning television, Lunden reported from 26 countries, covered 5 presidents, 5 Olympics, and kept Americans up to date on how to care for their homes, their families, and their health.

As one of America’s most recognized and trusted personalities, Lunden has graced the covers of more than 70 magazines and book covers. Through her website JoanLunden.com and her social media, she interacts with women across the country every day on topics from wellness, to survivorship, and aging.

Joan’s recent titles have included: special correspondent on the TODAY show, host of the CBS series Your Health, sought-after speaker and event host throughout the country, senior caregiving advocate, and, most recently, breast cancer survivor. Lunden documented her battle through cancer treatment and wrote a memoir, Had I Known, reflecting on her life and career.

Lunden has served as national spokesperson for various organizations such as The American Heart Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, The American Lung Association, The American Red Cross, The American Academy of Pediatrics, and The Colon Cancer Alliance.

Joan Lunden’s books include Had I Known; Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregiving; Growing Up Healthy: Protecting Your Child from Diseases Now Through Adulthood; Wake-Up Calls; A Bend in the Road is Not the End of the Road; Joan Lunden’s Healthy Living; Joan Lunden’s Healthy Cooking; Mother’s Minutes; Your Newborn Baby; and Good Morning, I’m Joan Lunden. She also hosts the exercise video Workout America.

Table of Contents

Introduction Aging Ain't for Sissies 13

Part 1 Mind

Chapter 1 How Old Would You Be If You Didn't Know How Old You Are? 21

Chapter 2 Six Sure Signs I'm Aging 31

Chapter 3 Old Age! Are We There Yet? 39

Chapter 4 Strollers. Cars, and Wheelchairs! 47

Chapter 5 I'm Not Old: I'm 45 Plus Shipping and Handling 59

Chapter 6 Not Only Is My Short-Term Memory Bad. So Is My Short-Term Memory 67

Part 2 Body

Chapter 7 Why Can 11 Lose Weight Like I Lose My Keys, Phone, and Sex Drive? 85

Chapter 8 Strong Is the New Skinny 105

Chapter 9 Become the CEO of Your Health 113

Chapter 10 Think Like a Doctor 125

Chapter 11 A Heart-To-Heart About Your Heart 133

Chapter 12 Keep Moving! It's Harder for the Undertaker to Catch Up with You 141

Chapter 13 We're Basically a Houseplant with More Complicated Emotions: Why We Need Water 155

Chapter 14 Sometimes I Laugh So Hard, Tears Run Down My Leg 167

Chapter 15 Sleeping Beauty Was On to Something 179

Chapter 16 Did You Know Chocolate Makes Your Clothes Shrink? 191

Part 3 Soul

Chapter 17 Will It Matter Five Years from Now? 207

Chapter 18 Life Would Be Easier with Piñatas Placed Throughout the Day 225

Chapter 19 Mistakes & Regrets: It's Time to Let Them Go! 241

Chapter 20 When There are Lumps in the Road 251

Chapter 21 Decline to Decline 257

Chapter 22 Friends Are Therapists You Can Drink With 269

Chapter 23 An Attitude of Gratitude 275

Chapter 24 Be the Person You Want to Have Lunch With 281

Chapter 25 Be Happy; It Drives People Crazy 291

Chapter 26 I Want to Be Cremated: It's My Last Chance for a Smokin' Hot Body 307

Chapter 27 It's Never Too Late to Be the Person You Want to Be 323

Acknowledgments 327

Index 331