Aging Progression and Getting Old

[tmm99]

They definitely know you are older, and you would find this out if you tested it in some way (such as hitting on the young women). You are probably good to talk to, can play physical games well, and so they enjoy your company. I had the same experience with the younger employees where I worked. They sought me out to talk to, and not just about work. They liked me around - it was obvious.

But I wasn't one of them.

Amethyst, your comment made me laugh, as I'm female like you!
Yeah, I guess they don't mind my company, and I have done things outside the volleyball circle with some of them also, but sometimes, I get this weird, what am I doing here? kind of feeling.

True, I did like hanging out with my boss who was 10 years older, and my best friend is 10 years older, so having a friend who's 20 years older may not be such a big stretch.

Let me ask though... What do you mean, when you say "But I wasn't one of them."? Would you like to elaborate? I'm curious.

 

[tmm99]

I hear ya.
They do address me as Mr. (first name Dtail), but that is also a southern thing.

Wow, really. Yeah, it must be the southern thing, as I've never heard of anybody talking like that here to me or to anybody else (I'm in Canada) except when young kids talk about/to their teachers...

 

[Amethyst]

There is a certain distance, even though we are friendly. And the distance is not on purpose. It may well be on my side, as well as theirs. I can also feel it with friends in their 70's. No matter how much they like and respect me, there is some distance that I don't feel with people my own age.

As for being female, I think everything still applies...substitute any gender.

Let me ask though... What do you mean, when you say "But I wasn't one of them."?

 

[RE2Boys]

It sounds like the excercise regimin that RE2Boys was practicing is what actually saved his life.

The doctors did bring that up as with the degree of blockage I had, I should not have been capable for my normal activities and eventually on an unlucky day I would be found on the side of the road, They speculated that I must have developed one hell of a collateral circulation system from staying active and from the years of road racing and marathons, even though those activities stopped 25 years ago, mostly due to joint aging. See: vphysiology.com/Blood%20Flow/BF007

Physical recovery has been rapid, was able to walk the second day in ICU, walked about a mile before left hospital(in for two weeks) (two loops around the block on a nice fall day, escorted of course. It's the mental and cognitive skills lost due the stoke that remains daily challenge. I've been an ER forum member since 2003 and reading the posts here is my daily test of reading comprehension. Some days OK, some not so good.

 

[HI Bill]

I just visited a bunch of family, including my father, his sisters, and their husbands. Almost all overweight, and almost none exercise. Most are around 80 (78-82) and still kicking, but a couple are having some serious health problems, and have a lack of stamina. I think if they had a regular exercise regime, and were willing to lose weight, they'd feel a lot better.

So far, at almost 54, I'm keeping up with much younger scuba divers, and am outlasting them on most dives. I'm just not as stable on the hikes up and down the cliffs.

Thoughts?

 

[bloom2708]

Advertisement: Stop eating meat, cheese, dairy, eggs, oils and processed junk.

You will feel better than at any time from 20 on. You can do it at 30, 50 or 70 or 90.

Research a "whole food, plant based" lifestyle. I have nothing to gain from this advertisement. Live long and prosper.

 

[razztazz]

Advertisement: Stop eating meat, cheese, dairy, eggs, oils and processed junk.

You will feel better than at any time from 20 on. You can do it at 30, 50 or 70 or 90.

Research a "whole food, plant based" lifestyle. I have nothing to gain from this advertisement. Live long and prosper.

Tried that. health collapsed. Went low carb. gave up the meds, and regained my health. Biomarkers improved (Oh Colesterol went up but I'm still waiting for the heart attack they said I was minutes away from on the plant diet) and most of all I felt better. You cannot improve health by eliminating the only essential macronutrient. I have nothing to gain here either. But I did get healthier.

 

[ls99]

Research a "whole food, plant based" lifestyle. I have nothing to gain from this advertisement. Live long and prosper.

"whole food, plant based" Is that an oxymoron?

 

[Amethyst]

People vary. Few would disagree that processed food is bad. Most would agree that eating plants is good for you. However, I always feel better with some meat and dairy in my diet, and so do those closest to me. "Meat and dairy" doesn't have to mean a mound of eggs and bacon or a 12-ounce steak; a third of that, or the equivalent in fish, is enough for me.

Advertisement: Stop eating meat, cheese, dairy, eggs, oils and processed junk.

You will feel better than at any time from 20 on. You can do it at 30, 50 or 70 or 90.

Research a "whole food, plant based" lifestyle. I have nothing to gain from this advertisement. Live long and prosper.

 

[bloom2708]

Tried that. health collapsed. Went low carb. gave up the meds, and regained my health. Biomarkers improved (Oh Colesterol went up but I'm still waiting for the heart attack they said I was minutes away from on the plant diet) and most of all I felt better. You cannot improve health by eliminating the only essential macronutrient. I have nothing to gain here either. But I did get healthier.

Interesting. What did you eat when you tried it? Maybe withdrawal symptoms and your body purging bad stuff.

Dr. Aitkins had heart disease. Bacon for every meal. What could go wrong?

I'm out.

 

[bloom2708]

"whole food, plant based" Is that an oxymoron?

Minimally processed. Fruits, vegetables, beans, starches and whole grains.

No oxy or other types of morons that I know of.

 

[mpeirce]

Dr. Aitkins had heart disease. Bacon for every meal. What could go wrong?

Let's not spread rumors.

If you check with Snopes (sadly not as definitive a source of "truth" as it used to be, but for this one it's pretty well backed up) they pass along a few facts:

He died of a fall. He was admitted to the hospital after his fall and died 9 days later (he was in a coma for a week).

He did have a heart attack earlier, but that was caused by an heart infection.

He was "obese" at death, but was apparently of normal weight when he fell. (258 at death, but weighed 195 when admitted to the hospital).

So there are enough odd facts to let the rumor mill do its thing.

Regardless of his demise, any one person's death certainly doesn't condemn or endorse any particular diet regimen.

 

[marko]

Tried that. health collapsed. Went low carb. gave up the meds, and regained my health. Biomarkers improved (Oh Colesterol went up but I'm still waiting for the heart attack they said I was minutes away from on the plant diet) and most of all I felt better. You cannot improve health by eliminating the only essential macronutrient. I have nothing to gain here either. But I did get healthier.

I've been low-carbing for a month now and feel 100% better. Sleeping better and overall a nice sense of well-being. My stomach just isn't working so hard; plus I've lost 10 pounds.

Not crazy low-carb, but just eliminating bread, rice, potatoes, ice cream and pasta with a few cheats along the way; the easier I make it the more I'm likely to stay with it. Still have 3 sugars with my one coffee a day; hamburgers without the bun.

Interesting. What did you eat when you tried it? Maybe withdrawal symptoms and your body purging bad stuff.

Dr. Aitkins had heart disease. Bacon for every meal. What could go wrong?

I'm out.

FWIW, 25 years ago when Atkins was the craze, I told my doctor that I was trying it. I fully expected a scolding.

Instead he said: "Y'know, I have 6 injecting diabetic patients who are doing it and have stopped needing to inject. Keep at it but don't overdo."

 

[friar1610]

I have always believed in moderation when exercising. But yes some people get too competitive and beat themselves up. I've been a runner for many decades but make sure to keep it sensible: alternate workout days, run on trails, do it in the morning to avoid heat, don't push the mileage, ramp up gradually, etc.

Still most of the exercise mistakes in the US are in not doing enough (or any) exercise.

Your advice is well taken. I was a somewhat moderate runner for the better part of 4 decades. Being a career military guy I was around a lot of other guys who ran and otherwise exercised a lot. Military officers can be competitive and that really showed up in the running. Multi-marathons. Races every weekend. 10 mile lunchtime runs. A few of those guys I still keep in touch with had to give up running later in life because of bad or replaced knees. Although I highly valued my almost-daily runs, I like to think I never went overboard with it. I still have my original knees. I gave up running about 8 years ago (at about 66) not because I had to but because I finally got sick of it after all those years and wanted to move on to other fitness activities.

 

[RobbieB]

Let's not spread rumors.

If you check with Snopes (sadly not as definitive a source of "truth" as it used to be, but for this one it's pretty well backed up) they pass along a few facts:

He died of a fall. He was admitted to the hospital after his fall and died 9 days later (he was in a coma for a week).

He did have a heart attack earlier, but that was caused by an heart infection.

He was "obese" at death, but was apparently of normal weight when he fell. (258 at death, but weighed 195 when admitted to the hospital).

Amazing. He gained 63 pounds in 9 days, 7 of which in a coma?

 

[tb001]

I was born when my mother was almost 40. So when I was a teen, she was in her 50's. She did not try to "act young," which would have been embarrassing, but she had a young attitude and was curious (not nosy, which she disliked) about everything.

For instance, she loved hearing about what was happening at school, and was quite interested in the music I liked (rock). She listened carefully and made funny observations (ex: she paraphrased the Eagles, "Take It Easy," as "We may lose and we may win, but it's for sure we'll be committing a sin.") I thought this was a better lyric than the original.

My friends talked eagerly to her, forgetting her white hair completely. She didn't try to flirt with my boy friends - she talked to them as if they were important, and had something interesting to say. It even helped me assess them, by how they reacted to her.

So that is one example of being older, but not acting old.

As an older mom of young kids, I love hearing this! I hope to be able to have that youthful attitude!

 

[marko]

I have always believed in moderation when exercising. But yes some people get too competitive and beat themselves up. I've been a runner for many decades but make sure to keep it sensible: alternate workout days, run on trails, do it in the morning to avoid heat, don't push the mileage, ramp up gradually, etc.
.

My brother was an elite level athlete (marathons, iron mans, triathlons) who trained every day; sometimes twice a day. Right up to the day of his massive stroke at age 62 from AFIB.

Doctors said his development of AFIB could have been the result of over-exercising. So you never know, even with people like him who was essentially a professional athlete and knew what he was doing.

 

[Lsbcal]

My brother was an elite level athlete (marathons, iron mans, triathlons) who trained every day; sometimes twice a day. Right up to the day of his massive stroke at age 62 from AFIB.

Doctors said his development of AFIB could have been the result of over-exercising. So you never know, even with people like him who was essentially a professional athlete and knew what he was doing.

I don’t know anything really about AFIB but I have an Apple Watch which tests for it. One of the reasons I bought this watch was to check for health issues. And if I fall it detects that and can automatically call 911. Or if I need to call emergency there’s a button for that.

 

[Amethyst]

I believe it comes from having a genuine interest in other people, especially your own kids (so their friends and interests are naturally interesting to you).

Some people (not you) may confuse an interest in others, with an interest in gossip, which isn't the same thing.

As an older mom of young kids, I love hearing this! I hope to be able to have that youthful attitude!

 

[Aerides]

Amazing. He gained 63 pounds in 9 days, 7 of which in a coma?

Totally possible if in hospital and medically challenged. He was probably being being pumped full of fluids and sugars on feeding tubes. Bloat and water gain and lack of movement would throw of metabolism dramatically.

My Sis-IL was recently diagnosed with lupus, and while being treated/diagnosed in hospital gained about 30 lbs in 2 weeks - all just water and bloat but still.

 

[Nemo2]

So that is one example of being older, but not acting old.

Couple/three years ago, the 'now approaching 8' granddaughter said to her mom that her 'blood grandfather' was old, (he's 9 years younger than me), but that DW, her 'blood grandmother', and I weren't 'old'.

 

[2177V]

68 and still going strong

I am 68, retired and happy. I still work out 2 hours from 7 am to 9 am every single morning by riding my bicycle to the gym and hit the cardio machines so that my heart rate is 100 BPM for 45 minutes. My doctor and expects me to live a long time since I am not taking any medication, my blood tests are optimal and I feel great. I still surf in Hawaii and snow ski in the mountains. I ride my motorcycle every chance I get. I relax by going fishing in my cuddy boat for three days and two nights where I catch up on my reading.

However, I do notice that I am slowing down because I no longer snow ski at the advance slopes and I only surf in Waikiki where the waves are only 3 feet high. I stopped lane splitting on my motorcycle, and reduce my speed so I am with the flow of traffic. I really focus on maintaining my balancing skills simply because some elderly people lose their balancing skills, take a fall and become bed-ridden. I like playing basketball but I can't hang with players in their 40's and there are few basketball players in their 50's and 60's. My eyes are going bad and this reminds me that I am getting old. The best thing that ever happened to me is when I joined the US Army at age 21 in 1972 which emphasizes taking care of myself physically.

Today, I told my wife that we should write a letter to each other listing the 5 things what our partner do to make us happy and the 5 things that our partner do to make us angry. This will help us avoid future problems and help us focus on what making each other happy. I am a believer of happy wife, happy life.

 

[meleana]

I am 63 1/2 and my husband is 65 1/2. We just sold out home of 32 years and moved to a temporary rental and will have to move out of state soon once our new home is built.


This 1st move almost did us in. We dread to think how we are going to manage the second. Physically, emotionally and mentally- it was hell.


I started to feel a bit older in my mid forties and definitely at 50 (menopause). I do feel older physically but not too bad. My mind still feels like I ma in my 40's I think. I exercise almost 5 days per week for an hour. Husband does not. Maybe takes a walk sometimes. I have to push him to take a walk with me.


When we move he will at least be active doing stuff needed around the new house and so forth. Right now we are in limbo- most of our stuff still packed and we really can;t do anything. Not to mention the high rent here prevents us from spending extra money and it is also winter.



I noticed my husband ageing the past couple of years so I am glad he is retiring next week. Commuting and the whole schedule of work gets to him. He was coming home, eating dinner and passing out.


I just hope we make it to our retirement house and are able to enjoy it at least for a few years.

 

[67walkon]

We can slow song down but we can't stop it. I just turned 70. My wife is 65. We exercise pretty much every day. People think we're crazy. I ride my bike about100 miles a week, walk shot3 miles on days i don't ride the bike and go to the gym for weights on days i don't ride.

I've got back issues but as long as I stretch and do my exercises, it's ok. My plan is to keep doing this is long as i can and then die real quickly.

I never feel old on the bike.

 

[Canoeboy]

Interesting to see the Reoccurring theme of (fear of) falling off roofs or ladders coming up frequently in this thread. Has been a concern of mine since we moved last year into a house that accumulates leaves and/or pine needles of the roof pretty much year round. Was going up at least monthly with leaf blower, each time thinking it would not be pretty if I fell off. Not afraid of heights, but afraid of severe disability one year into ER at age 58.

Problem solved! Just blew some serious dough on a standing seam metal roof. And ordered 6” seamless gutters with high-end leaf/needle guards. While the roof looks real sharp and will never need to be replaced in my lifetime, a huge factor in our decision was that I would no longer need to get up on the roof. Those pesky leaves/needles slide right off a metal roof.