Cheesehead
Recycles dryer sheets
My wife said. Perhaps as a ripple on me always saying, "Wonder how many good years I have left?" Not years in terms of being above ground, rather, to really enjoy myself. I'm 64, in excellent physical shape although I have the beginnings of various scary (plural) diagnosis, but if I find myself near warm water, although I am certified, will I still be able to scuba dive? Water skiing? If I'm in the mountains in winter, will I ski even though the last time I felt "clicking" in my knees? Too late for Machu Pichu hiking. I find that it's not as easy to regain my balance when tripping, such as in bouldering.
Observing all the guys I know who are 10-20 years older than myself, it seems that a male has between 60-70 to really physically enjoy himself for the last time and then after 70 it's "decay management", although the mass media is always showing us the outliers: old codgers doing marathons in Parade magazine, etc.
To me this means retiring ASAP but DW has OMY (or TMY) Syndrome to max her pension. So sure, we (males) can travel, but the adventurous physical type of traveling? Zip lines at 68? Not so much. Joints hurt, gave up archery due to shoulder pain, I could continue listing. When I pictured retirement I did not figure on a restriction of physical pursuits, thought I was invincible, but I suppose if you led an active, outdoor life, did a lot of sports, then it will catch up to us in our late 50's early 60's? Among my age group peers we socialize with the men tend to be down to golf, gardening and fishing and now I see why.
I ask new guys I meet if they want to go kayaking, we'll rent one for them and they look at me like I'm a talking dog. But now I need every ounce of strength to lift my kayak over my head to put on the roof rack. I know there are devices to help put the kayak on but my point is I have seen since my late 50's a decline in my muscle mass (and expanding pant size). I realize I could become a gym rat and have joined and quit health clubs, noting that unlike my youth there is no bulking up and gaining strength anymore, just the slow glide downhill.
Made the mistake of going to my 40th high school reunion and wow, all the men look so old, I thought geeze, how many good years do I have left? Women have ways to mask it. They don't tend towards physical hobbies as much I suppose, so I'm getting the blues here as to what's left to do of my previous pursuits once we have 100% of our time available? I guess I was fixated on the retirement aspects of finances, new geographical location, real estate details, etc. it didn't occur to me the physical aspect. My profession and avocations have always kept me physically outdoors and active. We are looking at Bend, OR and it touts skiing, white water river rafting, mountain hiking, etc. and I'm thinking: Uh Oh, I'm twenty years too late? Whenever I want to do something I consider fun I have to ask neighbors twenty years younger than me if they want to join.
So guys over 55 (this is a Male thread), what did you discover? Settling for cruising, gardening, golf and fishing? Keeping your heart rate low? Guess I'll put the scuba gear on Craigs List...
Observing all the guys I know who are 10-20 years older than myself, it seems that a male has between 60-70 to really physically enjoy himself for the last time and then after 70 it's "decay management", although the mass media is always showing us the outliers: old codgers doing marathons in Parade magazine, etc.
To me this means retiring ASAP but DW has OMY (or TMY) Syndrome to max her pension. So sure, we (males) can travel, but the adventurous physical type of traveling? Zip lines at 68? Not so much. Joints hurt, gave up archery due to shoulder pain, I could continue listing. When I pictured retirement I did not figure on a restriction of physical pursuits, thought I was invincible, but I suppose if you led an active, outdoor life, did a lot of sports, then it will catch up to us in our late 50's early 60's? Among my age group peers we socialize with the men tend to be down to golf, gardening and fishing and now I see why.
I ask new guys I meet if they want to go kayaking, we'll rent one for them and they look at me like I'm a talking dog. But now I need every ounce of strength to lift my kayak over my head to put on the roof rack. I know there are devices to help put the kayak on but my point is I have seen since my late 50's a decline in my muscle mass (and expanding pant size). I realize I could become a gym rat and have joined and quit health clubs, noting that unlike my youth there is no bulking up and gaining strength anymore, just the slow glide downhill.
Made the mistake of going to my 40th high school reunion and wow, all the men look so old, I thought geeze, how many good years do I have left? Women have ways to mask it. They don't tend towards physical hobbies as much I suppose, so I'm getting the blues here as to what's left to do of my previous pursuits once we have 100% of our time available? I guess I was fixated on the retirement aspects of finances, new geographical location, real estate details, etc. it didn't occur to me the physical aspect. My profession and avocations have always kept me physically outdoors and active. We are looking at Bend, OR and it touts skiing, white water river rafting, mountain hiking, etc. and I'm thinking: Uh Oh, I'm twenty years too late? Whenever I want to do something I consider fun I have to ask neighbors twenty years younger than me if they want to join.
So guys over 55 (this is a Male thread), what did you discover? Settling for cruising, gardening, golf and fishing? Keeping your heart rate low? Guess I'll put the scuba gear on Craigs List...