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Thoughts on getting old vs aging
Replies
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Usually the people making comments about the "elderly" are very young and rather immature. In your 20s you really don't have enough life experience to understand life after age 29. Lol! You think 30s is so "old". I have many friends of all ages. I envy my retired age 60 plus friends. They are living life. Go to the gym, out to lunch with friends, take a nap, have friends over for dinner, games and wine. Travel! Life is good at all ages!
LOL...so true, it boggles my mind when I hear people talking about someone being elderly and they are int heir 50s...I just turned 50 last year so maybe somewhat sensitive but seriously someone in their 50s I would not consider a senior or elderly.4 -
Usually the people making comments about the "elderly" are very young and rather immature. In your 20s you really don't have enough life experience to understand life after age 29. Lol! You think 30s is so "old". I have many friends of all ages. I envy my retired age 60 plus friends. They are living life. Go to the gym, out to lunch with friends, take a nap, have friends over for dinner, games and wine. Travel! Life is good at all ages!
LOL...so true, it boggles my mind when I hear people talking about someone being elderly and they are int heir 50s...I just turned 50 last year so maybe somewhat sensitive but seriously someone in their 50s I would not consider a senior or elderly.
Indeed. I am 3 years away from 50 and in the best shape of my life...3 -
My father is currently in his 70's. He needed a knee replacement and his doctor kind of balked at performing it on him because of his 'advanced' age, until my dad pointed out that his own father stubbornly lived to be 100. (Seriously, he was stubborn about it, and the last few years he would tell people he was going to do it.) It made for a strange contrast when I married into my husband's family. His grandparents were in their late 50's and talked about being old because their own parents died in their 50's. They ended up living to be in their 80's, but I believe they've thought about themselves as 'old' for decades. I understand genetics play a big part, but so does lifestyle, diet, activity level, and plain old attitude.6
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My father is currently in his 70's. He needed a knee replacement and his doctor kind of balked at performing it on him because of his 'advanced' age, until my dad pointed out that his own father stubbornly lived to be 100. (Seriously, he was stubborn about it, and the last few years he would tell people he was going to do it.) It made for a strange contrast when I married into my husband's family. His grandparents were in their late 50's and talked about being old because their own parents died in their 50's. They ended up living to be in their 80's, but I believe they've thought about themselves as 'old' for decades. I understand genetics play a big part, but so does lifestyle, diet, activity level, and plain old attitude.
This is my wife's family. Not my wife thank God..she's a very content 30 year old 56er 🙂
Her sis is 57 and is always telling everyone how old she is. Slim, healthy and active, but you know, old. Attitude is a Huge part of this.2 -
I am less than 2 months away from 50 and am just nodding my head in agreement with so many through this thread. I spent my childhood dancing and being active, started lifting weights at 17 so I can't say I'm in the best shape of my life, but I'm pretty happy with where I'm at. I think being young at heart is so important. I have people tell me I'm too old to talk the way I do, or act the way I do and to them I say go kick rocks. I spent last night jumping around like a crazy person at a rock concert with my 17 year old son. IDGAF if anyone thinks I'm too old for that. I had a great time and I don't plan on ever changing that.
Of course I have aches and pains that I didn't have 5 or 10 years ago. I try to listen to my body more as I age, but it won't stop me from doing what I love and that is lifting and being active. I hope to be that 80 year old granny in the nursing home lifting weights. lol
Yes 👌👍🙂1 -
My father is currently in his 70's. He needed a knee replacement and his doctor kind of balked at performing it on him because of his 'advanced' age, until my dad pointed out that his own father stubbornly lived to be 100. (Seriously, he was stubborn about it, and the last few years he would tell people he was going to do it.) It made for a strange contrast when I married into my husband's family. His grandparents were in their late 50's and talked about being old because their own parents died in their 50's. They ended up living to be in their 80's, but I believe they've thought about themselves as 'old' for decades. I understand genetics play a big part, but so does lifestyle, diet, activity level, and plain old attitude.
This is my wife's family. Not my wife thank God..she's a very content 30 year old 56er 🙂
Her sis is 57 and is always telling everyone how old she is. Slim, healthy and active, but you know, old. Attitude is a Huge part of this.
Don't completely reject playing the "old" card, though: You can get away with stuff . . . for example, brutal honesty and general crankiness are more accepted from li'l ol' ladies such as myself, I've found.
One person can play two sides of this "aging" street.
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My father is currently in his 70's. He needed a knee replacement and his doctor kind of balked at performing it on him because of his 'advanced' age, until my dad pointed out that his own father stubbornly lived to be 100. (Seriously, he was stubborn about it, and the last few years he would tell people he was going to do it.) It made for a strange contrast when I married into my husband's family. His grandparents were in their late 50's and talked about being old because their own parents died in their 50's. They ended up living to be in their 80's, but I believe they've thought about themselves as 'old' for decades. I understand genetics play a big part, but so does lifestyle, diet, activity level, and plain old attitude.
This is my wife's family. Not my wife thank God..she's a very content 30 year old 56er 🙂
Her sis is 57 and is always telling everyone how old she is. Slim, healthy and active, but you know, old. Attitude is a Huge part of this.
Don't completely reject playing the "old" card, though: You can get away with stuff . . . for example, brutal honesty and general crankiness are more accepted from li'l ol' ladies such as myself, I've found.
One person can play two sides of this "aging" street.
I may have to give that a try one day
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I’ve not read all the posts so if someone has already mentioned it, sorry to double dip. When I turned 60 my family physician gave me the book “Younger Next Year”. It presents both the current knowledge about aging and the behavior needed to use the knowledge wisely. We each have a choice: allow our quality of life to get progressively more miserable as we age until we die; or maintain a consistently good level of quality of life up to the end and go over the waterfall basically all at once. The latter requires 3 actions - eat right, exercise, and stay engaged with people. That’s it. I’m 67 and the latter behavior is the choice I’ve made.
@fh1951 Saw your post...bought the book. I am about 1/2 way through the book. I knew many of the things in it intuitively and I do exercise 4-5 times per week (run, swim, cycle)...but the book (so far) is very good nonetheless. I recommend it as well.
BTW - I am 58 and have just entered my second sprint-tri. For my first one, my goal was to just finish, but not in DFL (dead-f'n-last) - which I accomplished. I did not know what to expect and the first event taught me a lot. This time I am training for time. ALSO - the endurance athletes that I meet while training and in my first event are the most supportive athletes I have ever met.
@Ed_Zilla Just saw your post, glad you like the book! You’ve got it going! 👍👍👍1 -
Just read that cardiologists say that if u can get up 4 flights of stairs in under a minute that is a good sign of health and longevity.2
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I turned 69 in Dec & although I can’t say I am in the best shape of my life (I need to lose a few pounds & get more active!), but I definitely don’t feel old or see myself that way. I know I have a hard time “getting started” on activity, which I don’t think is old thinking, but rather uncertainty about what to do. I do my 10,000 steps daily, and hopefully this will lead to more! And I agree with Ann...I have to laugh at the younger ones moaning about being so old!
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Love reading everyone’s responses. Y’all are so positive! I work out with a really wide age range of people at my gym, which is so encouraging to the idea that we can stay fit and active into our 70s and beyond.
There is a group of ladies in their 60s-70s who lift heavy 3x a week, along with a lady about my own age (wearing their matching “Golden Girls” barbell tanks!). They’re always having so much fun and the older ladies are lifting just as heavy as most women in their 40s.
Every morning I see a couple in their late 70s at the gym together—my goal in life is to have their routine...daily Mass, workout, then hang out with friends around the coffee machine upstairs in the gym
Contrast this with a recent visit with my parents...my mom was complaining of hip pain that’s keeping her from going for walks. I suggested foam rolling (as I have lots of hip pain and that’s helpful for me). As soon as I mentioned “you get down on the floor “, she was shaking her head. I really want to be able to get up and down from the floor when I’m 73 without major effort and pain
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RetiredAndLovingIt wrote: »I turned 69 in Dec & although I can’t say I am in the best shape of my life (I need to lose a few pounds & get more active!), but I definitely don’t feel old or see myself that way. I know I have a hard time “getting started” on activity, which I don’t think is old thinking, but rather uncertainty about what to do. I do my 10,000 steps daily, and hopefully this will lead to more! And I agree with Ann...I have to laugh at the younger ones moaning about being so old!
You know....if you read through the forums, you'll see lots of 20 and 30 somethings having a hard time getting started too. Keep going, I bet you're doing better than you think you are. 1 -
I feel ya lol. My mom is very active, but always complaining she's old. 76 years old.gradchica27 wrote: »Love reading everyone’s responses. Y’all are so positive! I work out with a really wide age range of people at my gym, which is so encouraging to the idea that we can stay fit and active into our 70s and beyond.
There is a group of ladies in their 60s-70s who lift heavy 3x a week, along with a lady about my own age (wearing their matching “Golden Girls” barbell tanks!). They’re always having so much fun and the older ladies are lifting just as heavy as most women in their 40s.
Every morning I see a couple in their late 70s at the gym together—my goal in life is to have their routine...daily Mass, workout, then hang out with friends around the coffee machine upstairs in the gym
Contrast this with a recent visit with my parents...my mom was complaining of hip pain that’s keeping her from going for walks. I suggested foam rolling (as I have lots of hip pain and that’s helpful for me). As soon as I mentioned “you get down on the floor “, she was shaking her head. I really want to be able to get up and down from the floor when I’m 73 without major effort and pain
Love the Golden Girls group 😂 love your attitude, keep going. You won't regret it 🙂
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I recently purchased a weightlifting book aimed at those 40 and older. "The Barbell Prescription" by Jonathon Sullivan and Andy Baker. Great info and insights in this book. The authors discuss the aging process and how to make the best of it. The best quote (from memory, but I think it's right) "The worst advice an older person ever gets is 'Take it easy'. Easy makes you soft. And soft makes you dead."
Worth every penny for any of you who want to continue to lift forever. I started to lift seriously when I was 58. I wish I had started sooner.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y4LXFCK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Jonathon Sullivan also has a YouTube channel. Entertaining and informative as well. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwNjgwAS3wBBxcwouQz5J9w
Edited to add - Thanks to all of you who have shared your insights in this thread. I'm the oldest guy at my gym and it's good to know y'all are out there kickin' *kitten* and taking names.6 -
@alteredsteve175 Thanks for the recommendations!0
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@alteredsteve175 Thanks for the recommendations!
@Phirrgus - Right back atcha'! Thanks for starting this thread. I bookmarked it immediately. I am reading through the earlier pages when I have time.0 -
I'm glad you're enjoying it @alteredsteve175 . It's amazing and refreshing to read about everyone's determination to just not give in, in spite of the fact that some folks think we ought to. That just rocks 💪👍alteredsteve175 wrote: »@alteredsteve175 Thanks for the recommendations!
@Phirrgus - Right back atcha'! Thanks for starting this thread. I bookmarked it immediately. I am reading through the earlier pages when I have time.
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I never understood when people say once u get older you should take it easy..I think the opposite as u age go harder!6
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@alteredsteve175 - I started listening to him this morning. Excellent recommendation, thank you sir 👍alteredsteve175 wrote: »
Jonathon Sullivan also has a YouTube channel. Entertaining and informative as well. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwNjgwAS3wBBxcwouQz5J9w
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@alteredsteve175 - I started listening to him this morning. Excellent recommendation, thank you sir 👍alteredsteve175 wrote: »
Jonathon Sullivan also has a YouTube channel. Entertaining and informative as well. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwNjgwAS3wBBxcwouQz5J9w
Glad you like it. Sullivan is a no BS kind of guy. Very straightforward, and supports his advice with logic.0 -
When I was a teenager I worked at a nursery gardens - run by a man from his wheelchair, whose dad was cycling everywhere and mending chimneys at 86. Both amazing role models for concentrating on what you CAN do - whatever your obstacles. I certainly aim to be cycling and climbing (hills not ladders on chimneys) at 86.
My original mfp aim was ‘to be fit at fifty’ (I’m 54 now so ‘fit in fifties’ more apt now - but it will ‘to be be fit at 86’ too!)
I have my own obstacles (i have chronic fatigue syndrome - still getting better and luckily for me no fibromyalgia) but as the nursery gardener showed you can have significant health issues and obstacles and still be fit and positive.... And I aim for this.
So whilst my need for daily siestas sometimes make me feel like I am in my 70s - my daily (carefully, boringly, energy managed) dog walking, yoga, music lessons and practise, and occasional cycling/biking /gardening ensure I feel and am a lot healthier than many others in their 50s....
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This seems rather apropos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xTDdSwHAic
And the write up from The Atlantic. No, not all of them are doing various forms of exercise, but on the outside, I wouldn't be so unhappy if that's what 95 looked like for me.1 -
That video is fantasticThis seems rather aproposhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xTDdSwHAic
And the write up from The Atlantic. No, not all of them are doing various forms of exercise, but on the outside, I wouldn't be so unhappy if that's what 95 looked like for me.
Loved listening to the quips LOL. Thanks for posting that
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74 here. I am very active (even more so this past year.) My position is that you are lucky to get old, but how fast you "age" is to a great extent w/in your control. So many people I know who are my age have self-imposed limitations that stem from what they believe they can or cannot do "at their age".5
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It was the baseball great Satchel Paige who said. “If you didn’t know how old you were, how old would you be?” Here’s the thing...do we really know our potential at any age?!? I think the answer for everyone is that we don’t; mentally, physically, or spiritually. At 56 I choose to ignore that number and see what performance my body is capable of achieving - because you just never know how far you can go - then push yourself even further. What a fantastic journey of discovery that can be - especially in this age where you have instant access to information that can assist you in that journey.3
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Even at my age74 here. I am very active (even more so this past year.) My position is that you are lucky to get old, but how fast you "age" is to a great extent w/in your control. So many people I know who are my age have self-imposed limitations that stem from what they believe they can or cannot do "at their age". 59
A much younger relative asked me, jokingly, what she had to do to get "as old as me". I said it's easy. Don't die.
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It was the baseball great Satchel Paige who said. “If you didn’t know how old you were, how old would you be?” Here’s the thing...do we really know our potential at any age?!? I think the answer for everyone is that we don’t; mentally, physically, or spiritually. At 56 I choose to ignore that number and see what performance my body is capable of achieving - because you just never know how far you can go - then push yourself even further. What a fantastic journey of discovery that can be - especially in this age where you have instant access to information that can assist you in that journey.
I wish everyone in our age group looked at it like that. 👍1 -
Even at my age74 here. I am very active (even more so this past year.) My position is that you are lucky to get old, but how fast you "age" is to a great extent w/in your control. So many people I know who are my age have self-imposed limitations that stem from what they believe they can or cannot do "at their age". 59
A much younger relative asked me, jokingly, what she had to do to get "as old as me". I said it's easy. Don't die.
Is that a recent pic of yourself? If so you might’ve found the youth fountain, where’s it at don’t be stingy ...Just kidding, but seriously I guess it just good genes, diet and exercise?1 -
Even at my age74 here. I am very active (even more so this past year.) My position is that you are lucky to get old, but how fast you "age" is to a great extent w/in your control. So many people I know who are my age have self-imposed limitations that stem from what they believe they can or cannot do "at their age". 59
A much younger relative asked me, jokingly, what she had to do to get "as old as me". I said it's easy. Don't die.
Is that a recent pic of yourself? If so you might’ve found the youth fountain, where’s it at don’t be stingy ...Just kidding, but seriously I guess it just good genes, diet and exercise?
@vanityy99 Wow, you just made my whole week! Thank you! That's a year old or so and yeah, have to thank my mother for the Gene's lol. The diet and exercise is a daily thing,
Yes ...and just trying to keep the soul light and hope the rest follows.
You really did put a little extra spring in my step this morning ❤🙂1 -
I want to be one of these guys...
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