Do I need a reality check?
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Oh so true! Sometimes I still think I'm 35I think the main thing that changes as you get "older" is you have to make sure you listen to your body. I mean, you really should even when you're younger, but it becomes more important once you get over a certain age. And rest days become more important. When I was in my 20's, I could push myself really hard one day and would recover in 24 hrs, now in my forties if I push myself too hard it takes longer to recover! But I think it's clear from all the examples in this thread, it is certainly possible to get stronger, to get faster, and to improve your fitness and physique no matter what your age
and pay dearly for it for a day or two. I'm learning though, and those videos are the best inspiration I've seen. Much better than the "reality check" I expected when making this thread lol.
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Slightly off-topic, perhaps, but I was musing that this thread is a wonderful example of what a great thing the internet can be!
Just think, if none of us had access to things like this site, YouTube, email, message boards and search engines, we'd have to take the word of people around us and whatever newspapers or magazines we read to tell us what we can and can't achieve, how we should look and what we should eat. Now, we can question what we're told much more easily (although we do need to be careful of the sources of information sometimes!
), and make our own decisions about what's best for us.
Technology is a wonderful thing!
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I was just telling my wife what an incredible wealth of information this forum is. Yes, loving the tech myself right now lol. 3
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I think the main thing that changes as you get "older" is you have to make sure you listen to your body. I mean, you really should even when you're younger, but it becomes more important once you get over a certain age. And rest days become more important. When I was in my 20's, I could push myself really hard one day and would recover in 24 hrs, now in my forties if I push myself too hard it takes longer to recover! But I think it's clear from all the examples in this thread, it is certainly possible to get stronger, to get faster, and to improve your fitness and physique no matter what your age
When you get older, then yes.
i intend being older when i am 85. but at the moment i am still a child at 529 -
I love that mindset. I'm still around 30 where it counts. Time enough for "old" much later.
It did get to me that I let that crap get into my head and psych me out for a bit. Not again.3 -
I'm very aware things change over the years, like the time it takes for my muscles to recover, my bald spot getting larger lol, but here's the deal.
I'm 57, and do not consider that "Old" at all. I feel 10 years younger. My primary goal for fitness is flexibility, endurance and overall strength, but here's the problem - everyone around me insists on reminding me of my age. As if I'm brittle or something. SHUT UP! lol
I know they probably mean well, but come on - I've gone from 2 chin ups to 10 pretty easily, and from wheezing after 10 body weight squats to being able to do single leg squats.
I have this fantasy about being able to do some type of beginners calisthenics soon, like muscleups and such. But damn it, those voices got into my head and now I'm questioning if they're right or not, and I hate that. I feel great and more fit than I have for years.
I guess I (as another member put it) got the feelz lol. They're pissing me off and I need someone to tell me I got this.
People - ugh
rant over lol - thanks for reading
57 is not old. Do people just want to make conversation and they're reachiing for something to say? Instead of saying "shut up" to the old comments, here's a good comeback: "yeah yeah yeah, yadda yadda yadda."
I'm over 50 and despise age-limiting comments. I went back to college and have heard them all and have even had the college library staff try to chase me out ("the library is only for current students.")
Nobody leaves the planet alive. Be happy and do whatever the flip you want while you're here.4 -
Thanks PennWalker - I just finished getting some certs reinstated myself. Most of the students around were 20 or so, so yeah, I got the looks lol.3
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Older naysayers are just upset you're not using the same excuse they are to let themselves go, and younger ones feel threatened. I got passed by a much older guy in my first 5k. That's when I realized this doesn't end, find happiness in keeping yourself tuned - be that guy! 5
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I love that mindset. I'm still around 30 where it counts. Time enough for "old" much later.
I fully intend to stay at 25 for as long as possible...
Here's some of my favourite quotes for you. (Yes, one does mention growing "old", but I think it really ought to say "oldER"... )
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I want to retract or at least modify my post. I think age isn't as meaningful an indicator of how careful you need to be as your injury history is. If you've been injury free, I say go ahead and get aggressive.3
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I decided a long time ago that I wasn't going to allow someone else's senses of entitlement over my life affect me. At 21, I was given the "psych out " one liners ... " You're old!" " You're not a teen anymore!" " Your competition was birthed yesterday" ... My response was and always will be a mental 2 finger salute, accompanied by a simple, "You do you, let me do me!"
ETA: Their responses to me was always the same, "You're too American!" [Oft times aggressors are women with their token male hangers on] .... Uhmmm WHATEVER!!
My current inspiration: Wendy Ida@64
https://youtu.be/59HIT97vvfM 4 -
I'm 50, but I certainly don't feel it. I'm not the same person that I was when I was 30 or even 40. Your fitness goals will change just as you grow and evolve personally, spiritually, and professionally. It doesn't really matter what anyone thinks. What is important is what works for you. I applaud people who can do triathalons. Great. Just not for me. Pick what you want and stick with it, and the less said about fitness and food is sometimes the best thing. So called "friends" can sabotage your best efforts.1
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n1terunner wrote: »Older naysayers are just upset you're not using the same excuse they are to let themselves go, and younger ones feel threatened. I got passed by a much older guy in my first 5k. That's when I realized this doesn't end, find happiness in keeping yourself tuned - be that guy!
My wife and I were hiking a fairly steep trail in New Hampshire, and a "young" lady, maybe 70ish, just breezed right past us smiling. I forgot all about her til I read your post. 0 -
I'm quoting all these quotes because I love em, thanks! 0 -
goldthistime wrote: »I want to retract or at least modify my post. I think age isn't as meaningful an indicator of how careful you need to be as your injury history is. If you've been injury free, I say go ahead and get aggressive.
I've added some exercises to the routine - a little painful, but so worth it!2 -
As long as you are aware of your limits then ignore anyone telling you what you can/can't or should/shouldn't do.2
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trigden1991 wrote: »As long as you are aware of your limits then ignore anyone telling you what you can/can't or should/shouldn't do.
Working on that. Like I said earlier, I'm a little peeved at myself that I let it get into my head to begin with. Airing it out here has helped a lot though 2 -
Unlimited youth the iron nun look it up. I met her a few years back. She Is amazing. She 86 and still doing ironman3
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@Grey_1, check out the documentary "Jones Beach Boys"...the lifeguards at Jones Beach range in age from 17 to 80...YES! Eighty. Great piece of film...
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Grey_1, my husband (62) and I (52) have the "Growing Old is not for Sissies" posters in our home gym featuring Marie Wilcox Little and John Turner. (Google them, I can't get the links to work. You'll find them on northernsun.com.) He was about 67 and she was 73 when those photos were taken.
For what it's worth, I spent this summer doing sprint triathlons (did my first one on my 52nd birthday); now I'm training for Olympic length tris next season, and my son and I are training for a half marathon in April. And I've got chronic lung disease, for cryin' out loud. Tell your wife it absolutely can be done.
Old is just a number. The people who are giving you *kitten* about it are the ones who can't keep up with you. You go on with your bad self.4 -
Thanks for the tips folks! I'll look all of them up after work today. Much appreciated!0
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57 is absolutely not 'old'; I hate when people talk like anything 30+ years of age is old. I know 60 year olds with more energy than me. And I know 70+ year olds with a plenty of energy, too! People are using that as an excuse for their own selves! What is 'old'? Don't let misinformed ideas skew your own life. You do you, whatever that is.
I also don't like the picture posted earlier with the very fit older woman and the older woman gazing out of the window - I don't understand the point? Is ageing only cool if you have a six pack? I don't understand why we're trying to portray 'good ageing' in any certain way. Everyone is entitled to do what pleases them at any age.
Way to go looking after yourself!0 -
I'm 37 and play in a women's hockey league on Sundays there are 2 women over 65. My dad played soccer with my son and his team last week, he's 67. Dont listen to people, especially young people, they haven't learned much yet, lol.2
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@Grey_1 57 is not old. And certainly not too old to aim for and reach a fitness goal. It may just take a little longer.
At school I was the girl with a bandage at the bottom of her bag (got wrapped around various injuries weekly) and a note from her 'mum' so she could skip PE.
This meant I hadn't exercised at all between the ages of 11 and 54.
At 54 I got a yearly pass at the local rec centre and haven't looked back.
I have gone from doing nothing to trying everything. I don't love working out, I love the benefits.
I have never had anyone say I was too old- I think people are too amazed that I have wandered from my comfy chair.
I have never thought I was too old to try anything either. It does take a little longer to recover. I started heavy lifting and found I had to drop my 'off day' body shaping, Pilates, and Zumba classes,substituting them with a 30 min walk or swim, otherwise my weekends were shot.
I am lucky- no medical problems and no injuries from exercise.
Me at 62-63yo. Nowhere near the magnificent women above, just a regular woman keeping a decent fitness level (and doing the longest recomp in history).
Cheers, h.6 -
danika2point0 wrote: »I also don't like the picture posted earlier with the very fit older woman and the older woman gazing out of the window - I don't understand the point? Is ageing only cool if you have a six pack? I don't understand why we're trying to portray 'good ageing' in any certain way. Everyone is entitled to do what pleases them at any age.
I know what you mean, but I think what the picture is getting at is that you don't have to resign yourself to becoming feeble and decrepit as you get older. There are definitely plenty of ways to age well, and bodybuilding is just one of them for those that like the idea. Staying mentally active is just as important as physical activity of some kind, too... and just because the other woman in that photo 'looks' older it doesn't mean she's not healthy and active in her own way.
But yes; the overall message of this whole thread, I think, is that age is just a number and it shouldn't stop you from trying whatever you want to do... perhaps especially if someone else tells you you're too old to do it! 4 -
danika2point0 wrote: »57 is absolutely not 'old'; I hate when people talk like anything 30+ years of age is old. I know 60 year olds with more energy than me. And I know 70+ year olds with a plenty of energy, too! People are using that as an excuse for their own selves! What is 'old'? Don't let misinformed ideas skew your own life. You do you, whatever that is.
I also don't like the picture posted earlier with the very fit older woman and the older woman gazing out of the window - I don't understand the point? Is ageing only cool if you have a six pack? I don't understand why we're trying to portray 'good ageing' in any certain way. Everyone is entitled to do what pleases them at any age.
Way to go looking after yourself!
I love that, thank you 1 -
koral4reef wrote: »I'm 37 and play in a women's hockey league on Sundays there are 2 women over 65. My dad played soccer with my son and his team last week, he's 67. Dont listen to people, especially young people, they haven't learned much yet, lol.
LoL, that got me smiling - thanks!0 -
middlehaitch wrote: »@Grey_1 57 is not old. And certainly not too old to aim for and reach a fitness goal. It may just take a little longer.
At school I was the girl with a bandage at the bottom of her bag (got wrapped around various injuries weekly) and a note from her 'mum' so she could skip PE.
This meant I hadn't exercised at all between the ages of 11 and 54.
At 54 I got a yearly pass at the local rec centre and haven't looked back.
I have gone from doing nothing to trying everything. I don't love working out, I love the benefits.
I have never had anyone say I was too old- I think people are too amazed that I have wandered from my comfy chair.
I have never thought I was too old to try anything either. It does take a little longer to recover. I started heavy lifting and found I had to drop my 'off day' body shaping, Pilates, and Zumba classes,substituting them with a 30 min walk or swim, otherwise my weekends were shot.
I am lucky- no medical problems and no injuries from exercise.
Me at 62-63yo. Nowhere near the magnificent women above, just a regular woman keeping a decent fitness level (and doing the longest recomp in history).
Cheers, h.
I love your outlook and attitude h. Thanks for sharing
It's eye opening, reading back through this thread, that the commonality seems to be "attitude encouragement", for lack of a better term....you folks are all spot on.
I always "say" I'm still in my 30s where it counts, but I don't think I've really believed it/acted like it. Major wow moment for me.
you good folks 4 -
goldthistime wrote: »I'm 55 and have had my fair share of strains and sprains over the last 10 years. My joints and tendons can't keep up to my muscles and lungs/heart. I try to ease into things. C25K for instance.
I've been reminded of that too lol. We can still do it though...
Look, this joints and tendons thing - I am 32, and I have that too (very hypermobile). So I'd say that doesn't necessarily have to do anything with age. Listen to your body and not to other people- you got this!2 -
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JWePnHeniMThis discussion has been closed.
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