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Thoughts on getting old vs aging
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(From your article that you mentioned)
"Do you know any 75 year-olds that act like they’re 35?"
Yes, the Rolling Stones, and more specifically Mick Jagger. I'm a big Stones fan, and Mick actually inspired me to start exercising. He has a very impressive fitness regimen thanks to his dad who was a gym teacher. (there's a video on YouTube of a 15 year old Mick Jagger in his dad's fitness instruction video- it's pretty funny!) Google "Mick Jagger fitness regimen" and you'll find a handful of articles of what he does to stay in shape. The man dances and prances 12+ miles on stage every night. When he's not performing, he's taking dance classes, goes jogging, lifts weights in his own personal gym, etc. The list goes on. When I read about this, I thought "well I just ran out of excuses not to exercise!" (that counts as cardio, right?!
) I mean, the man is 75 years old with the body and spirit of a 20-something. If he could do it, then so can I.
There's also an 86 year old woman bodybuilder named Ernestine Shepard whom I just adore. Omg, this woman just inspires me every single day! She started bodybuilding at 72 and has gone on to win so many awards and fame. God bless her, she is amazing, truly an inspiration to me.
These are the kinds of people that I look up to. That's how I want to be someday- fit, healthy and energetic!
"Do you know any 40 year-olds that act like they’re 80?"
Yes, I've personally known some people in their 30's that act like they're 100! They don't realize the youth and vitality that they still have, let alone use it. It's actually sad to witness. They are not living life to their full potential and unhappy.
Phirrgus, age is just number. Those people who said hurtful things to you are hurting on the inside- they're jealous and wish they could have the energy, zest and health that you have. You're getting a reaction out of people because you are doing something right that makes people notice you. That's what happens when you take care of yourself- suddenly people notice you!
I know this because I was morbidly obese- 6 feet tall, 355 pounds and NOBODY noticed me... ever! People would actually walk right into me. You see my profile pic? How could anyone possibly miss me, the big fat bright pink blob that I was?! Now that I began leading a healthy lifestyle, people move out of the way, hold doors for me, greet me with a smile, salespeople notice me, etc. Trust me- if people are taking notice and saying stuff, it's a sign you are doing something right!
So screw the haters and just keep doing you- your body will thank you for it, and you'll be so grateful that you did! Keep eating healthy, keep working out and exercising, keep showing 'em how it's done! DO NOT give up, DO NOT QUIT! Screw the haters! You do you! You got this!
Stay awesome, sir!4 -
I think age is defined in the "mind's eye". If you feel old, you act old. I too know people who seemed to have slowed right down and they haven't even reached 50 yet.
I also know some people who are in their 80's that still have a vigorous life.
I have a renewed sense of staying "young" because I just lost a brother. He was 55. Way too young to have died considering he was not in ill health. He was a kind and decent person and his passing was a complete shock.
I'll be damned if I don't try living "younger". When something tragic like this happens you really start to get a better perspective on the way you live.
Very sorry for your loss, my condolences!
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The most depressing conversations in my life occur when a group of people my age (late 40s) and younger sit around moaning about aging, especially the people who do absolutely nothing to mitigate it. The insidious “my metabolism is slowing down” syndrome –unless you have medical conditions, slow-downs are generally self-inflicted from lifestyle choices.
Pain and inconvenience as you age are inevitable – how that manifests itself is up to you. You can choose the chronic, lifestyle impairing pain associated with being sedentary and having your body atrophy or the temporary pain of exercising regularly. You can choose the inconvenience of neglecting your diet (impaired energy levels, high cholesterol, heart problems, type 2 diabetes, etc. and the associated dependence on prescriptions) or you can choose the comparatively minor inconvenience of eating according to a plan. What you choose is entirely up to you, but don’t’ complain about the consequences of choosing to do nothing will have on your “golden years”.
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Haha 😆1 -
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@Kimmotion5783
I love it. Don't ever stop 🙂
Here's another for you. Enjoy
https://youtu.be/uKJaZDGVNWA
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That video of Sonny the bodybuilder is brilliant in its simplicity. He is living proof that there are no "secrets" to succeed, just a daily decision to make the effort.
Here's another one of my favorites....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuPLxQD4akQ
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I turned 67 two weeks ago. I just got a call from my doctor and my blood work came back as normal. My BP was 112/62. When I was in my 50s I was obese, drinking every day and not careful with my diet. My kidneys were failing after being on blood pressure meds for over 5 years. I’ve had issues with my weight since I was 16. I’ve learned that you are what you eat and exercise is the fountain of youth. While my hair is white and my laugh lines are deep, I’m in the best health ever. I’ve lost 45 lbs but still have 30 to go. I will say this to you youngsters, it’s harder to take off when you get older. It’s a lifestyle change. Do it while you’re young. I consider myself very blessed and want to travel while I’m still able. Add me as a friend if you wish. I just got back on MFP after being absent for a while. I’ll be happy to help in any way I can.15
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That video of Sonny the bodybuilder is brilliant in its simplicity. He is living proof that there are no "secrets" to succeed, just a daily decision to make the effort.
Here's another one of my favorites....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuPLxQD4akQ
@Djproulx ..fantastic video thanks. The guy going down that sharp ridge...I wish I could run. I would love that 🙂0 -
Linda21353 wrote: »I turned 67 two weeks ago. I just got a call from my doctor and my blood work came back as normal. My BP was 112/62. When I was in my 50s I was obese, drinking every day and not careful with my diet. My kidneys were failing after being on blood pressure meds for over 5 years. I’ve had issues with my weight since I was 16. I’ve learned that you are what you eat and exercise is the fountain of youth. While my hair is white and my laugh lines are deep, I’m in the best health ever. I’ve lost 45 lbs but still have 30 to go. I will say this to you youngsters, it’s harder to take off when you get older. It’s a lifestyle change. Do it while you’re young. I consider myself very blessed and want to travel while I’m still able. Add me as a friend if you wish. I just got back on MFP after being absent for a while. I’ll be happy to help in any way I can.
@Linda21353 ...very inspiring. I agree with you too. I never really let my health go, but I could have taken it more seriously too. I have a great bunch of friends on my feed, and sending you a request as well. 🙂
Edit: it won't let me add you...sent a message instead...0 -
I am currently reading “Older Faster Stronger” by Margaret Webb. I found out about the book from the link below, which was sent around by a friend whose husband, nearing 50, was concerned about facing physical decline as he aged. Although the book was written by a woman for female runners, it has a lot of interesting information about how much fitness slows a significant amount of the decline that comes with getting older and being less active.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2010156/age-irrelevant-when-it-comes-fitness
Great video. Between that and the book, I feel I should take up running again.
Turning 45 this year. Being active is so beneficial to my psyche. My dad spent his whole adult life practising being old. I plan to fight it every step of the way. I don’t want to end up a doddering lump in an old age home, and I’m gonna do whatever I can to mitigate that horror.
I'm your age and I just recently (weeks ago) achieved my fastest ever running pace. I highly recommend weight training to supplement your running. I haven't had an injury in several years, since I started lifting heavy. I think it's made me both less prone to injury and more powerful (which is translating into speed.) You can do this!
P.S. I don't see it as "fighting" old age. It's not a struggle to me. I just see it as adapting to and growing with the changes. 2 -
Saw this tonight and it made me think of this thread:
https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/meet-the-86-year-old-soaring-to-great-heights-as-the-world-s-oldest-trapeze-artist-1447580739682
I kept telling my hubby, "There is no way that woman is 86 years old!" Aside from staying active and a great attitude towards life, those have to be some award-winning genes!
That's so me at 86! Woo-hoo! I love it when I see fit older people. I look at them as role models. It makes me excited for my future. 1 -
I think we can't be facile about how everyone should "just keep going" to stay (physically) younger. We don't know what their obstacles are. But we do know what our personal obstacles are, and can take responsibility for making our best possible course through/around/over/with them. And that's a more productive place to focus - our lane - isn't it?
In another context, a very smart guy** here used the phrase "a tyranny of low expectations". I think it applies to aging and being active. Expectations of gray-haired/wrinkled people like me can be shockingly low: What activities we can or should attempt, what we can achieve through persistent practice, and more. It's even true for people merely on the first inches of the on-ramp (30s, 40s).
It's hard for me to read some of the "getting started" posts/threads on MFP, especially from those who consider themselves to be "getting old" (anywhere from 30 on up
). Too often, the lack of self-belief is so tangible . . . or maybe even strong belief in the self-imposed limits that they perceive. "I'm too old to . . . .".
"Too old to" is mostly not a thing, IMO. One can have certain paths foreclosed because of physical conditions or personal preferences or logistics or various non-negotiable factors, but not age per se (unless we're talking about competing in, say, university events that have regulatory age ranges ).
I'm very grateful that when I started getting more active, as an obese woman in my mid-40s after cancer treatment, that I was too naive to consider whether my heart would explode or my body would implode. For whatever reason, I arrived at that stage of my life with suspended (dis-)belief: I felt like I should just try things, and see what I could do. I mostly did the sensible slow-build stuff, but ultimately, I completely surprised myself with what I could do . . . things I'd never dreamed, if it had occurred to me to not-dream and let the not-dream define my reality.
I can remember one of my friends coming to me after watching my first race (rowing), and saying "Ann T. a jock: Who would've thought?" Indeed.
So, I guess that's what I'd say as advice for others: Understand your true non-negotiable, unchangeable limitations; try things; start slowly, build gradually, and be persistent; and (maybe most important) suspend dis-belief in yourself. Don't assume what you can't do; experiment and see what you can do.
Age, per se, is kind of irrelevant.
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** He knows who he is, and has posted in this thread, but he probably won't own up to it because he knows I'd just "hug" him for it.7 -
I am currently reading “Older Faster Stronger” by Margaret Webb. I found out about the book from the link below, which was sent around by a friend whose husband, nearing 50, was concerned about facing physical decline as he aged. Although the book was written by a woman for female runners, it has a lot of interesting information about how much fitness slows a significant amount of the decline that comes with getting older and being less active.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2010156/age-irrelevant-when-it-comes-fitness
Great video. Between that and the book, I feel I should take up running again.
Turning 45 this year. Being active is so beneficial to my psyche. My dad spent his whole adult life practising being old. I plan to fight it every step of the way. I don’t want to end up a doddering lump in an old age home, and I’m gonna do whatever I can to mitigate that horror.
I'm your age and I just recently (weeks ago) achieved my fastest ever running pace. I highly recommend weight training to supplement your running. I haven't had an injury in several years, since I started lifting heavy. I think it's made me both less prone to injury and more powerful (which is translating into speed.) You can do this!
P.S. I don't see it as "fighting" old age. It's not a struggle to me. I just see it as adapting to and growing with the changes.
I’ve been lifting weights for about four years now, more or less consistently. I started lifting (I was more into cardio and running then) over fifteen years ago.
I’ve had chronic knee problems since I was a pre-teen, made worse by an injury that required surgery. It has affected my ability to do physical activity for most of my life and I live with varying levels of pain most of the time.
Every physical activity I do is done with consideration for what it will do to the knee: the extent that I push during lower body workouts, running, winter walking, you name it.
But thanks for your advice. 😎2 -
@Phirrgus The Blue Zones researchers make it really clear that while the diets of people in the BZs are important, there is a pretty good chance that their healthy longevity comes from their lifestyles - they still work, play, socialize, etc right through their 90s and past 100. In the book they talk to a 100+ man who still herds his animals walking several miles with them every day. Our assumption that being past a certain age means becoming a dependent lump I think really handicaps us in western society.
My parents are in their 70s and just retired to VA. They had a 2 story house built on a decent sized piece of land, and everyone told them they were nuts to make their retirement home with stairs and a big yard to care for. But their philosophy is use it or lose it. If I have to get up the stairs, I'll prioritize being capable of getting up the stairs.
I like your parents attitude too! I will be 53 next month.1 -
I am 50. I am in better shape than I have ever been. I think most of the aging vs getting old debate is mind set. My best friend is 70, my oldest sister is 80. Both of them travel like there is no tomorrow. I just took pictures of my by bf's house because she and her husband are selling and moving south. they have never lived any place else and are just doing it. They still ride their Harley all summer. My sister visits people in the 'old folks' home that are younger than her. Yes she still has issues that come with the body getting older but they are temporary set backs and she works toward recovery and solutions.
And then I know people my age and younger than me that act like 90 year old grannies. They will not try anything new. They ask how I got into shape but are not interested in doing any kind of work to get there. Heck they are afraid of technology. You have to exercise your mind and your body. You many have to adjust your limits occasionally, but so many people just quit. I don't want that to be me.6 -
The number one priority when you are into and beyond your middle years should be to build your physical resilience.
Aging is a conspiracy to rob you of your resilience, reducing your bone density, muscle strength, joint and tendon strength, etc. Being sedentary and reactive just facilitates this. Eat a nutritious diet, get your protein, strength train, get your heart rate up through exercise, get your vitamin minimums, etc (in other words, keep engaging in the fitness habits that generally work for all ages )!
The downward spiral happens when the inevitable health problem hits you: if you are of a certain age and fall down, if you have low bone density and weak muscles, you may break your hip – if you’ve been managing your fitness, you may just get a nasty bruise. The person with the broken hip will be sidelined for months, and this is usually step one on the path to gaining weight, losing mobility, and developing associated health problems that you may never fully recover from. Be proactive and build your resilience!
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Bry_Fitness70 wrote: »The downward spiral happens when the inevitable health problem hits you: if you are of a certain age and fall down, if you have low bone density and weak muscles, you may break your hip – if you’ve been managing your fitness, you may just get a nasty bruise. The person with the broken hip will be sidelined for months, and this is usually step one on the path to gaining weight, losing mobility, and developing associated health problems that you may never fully recover from. Be proactive and build your resilience!
I can attest to this - my mom (who wasn't in the best physical shape) broke her hip falling in the bathtub when she was 73... we said our last goodbyes less than a year later.
My father, on the other hand will turn 80 this summer and still goes out for breakfast 5-7 days a week, does all his own shopping and even a fair percentage of his own yard work.4
https://youtu.be/BQr8h7eLA2o
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