Is it harder to start being active at 50?
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Lillymoo01 wrote: »Our bodies are typically fully developed physically when we hit 20. Most athletes will peak in their mid 20's and there will be gradual deterioration after this. This, however, does not mean that you can not continue to be fit and healthy into old age, or can not become fitter if we are sedentary. It just means that it may not be quite as easy as it was when we were younger. In my case, I am fitter in my 40's than I ever was as a teen.
There are many in their old age that can achieve amazing things and I love seeing those in their 60's and above out jogging, rowing, swimming, cycling etc. They are inspiring (and I am a tad jealous because I know injury means I will never run).
That was an excuse I used the last time I got healthy and then let myself go again.
Shortly after my 54th birthday, I was disgusted with myself when I had to stop at the top of two flights of stairs to catch my breath. I was overweight and out of shape and decided to work on it. I decided to start dieting with the plan of losing "55 by 55", meaning I would lose 55 pounds, from 230 to 175, by my 55th birthday.
My birthday is late December, so the 55 by 55 was a New Year's resolution; those usually fail pretty quickly. Mine didn't. I did C25K thinking running a little would get me in better shape. I ran a 5k in April and by that point was starting to actually enjoy getting out and jogging a couple of miles a couple of times a week. Really enjoying it. I stepped it up and up. In October of that year I ran a half marathon in 2:08:25 , which is a respectable time for a mid 50s casual athlete. I was in the low 170s for my birthday, but most of the time weighed in the low 180s, which is a BMI of around 28. Still, I felt pretty good about where I was at and figured I would be one of those reasonably healthy old guys you see out running.
Early the next year I started pulling up lame after about 5 miles. I backed off on distances but it just became 4 miles, then 3, then 2... In the spring I ended up with one knee scoped and the other a candidate for it. The doctor told me that running was a really bad idea for me from then out. My joints really can't take it. My meniscus was torn in a few places and my patella was frayed. It wasn't from abuse; they just weren't up to heavy use and never will be.
I got out of shape and overweight again until last year when I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and work within the limitations. I paddle a lot now. With proper form that's mostly core and involves some of the largest muscles around the shoulder without much stress on the joint. Standing up, moving around on the board and balancing does involve the legs but with about the lowest impact possible. At the gym, I could use exercises from PT and I got with a trainer and had him help me find what worked within the limitations so I have been able to get in even better shape and stayed below 160 for several months so far.
A lot of it is attitude.7 -
I'm exercising more in my 50s than back in my 30s or 40s, so maybe you just need to get started and keep on going.2
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Thanks everyone. I try to keep up with my sister simply because we share a personal trainer (who’s under 30!!). I tend to go slower than her, my reps take a bit longer to complete but I do them at my pace 😊. I will not let OA be my excuse, just need to recognize that it can affect things. Like someone here said, what’s the alternative? Must keep going....at my pace.
Never compare yourself to others! Just take it slow and don't rush anything. I went from being completely sedentary, gaining 75 lbs. in 12 years to almost all cardio 7 days/week, going to the gym 2x/day, then becoming a competitive powerlifter. I really wish I would have slowed down and gone at a much slower pace because I'm paying the price right now with multiple injuries and now extremely slow recovery.4 -
I think some things are harder but others are easier.
When I was 20 I would not even bother trying to regularly exercise. I was thin and I didn't like exercise. I didn't have health problems or worries about remaining active as I aged. Physically I probably could have done a lot more but mentally I just did not see the point.
In my 40's I have more physical and heath challenges. I can't go back in time. It doesn't matter if it would have been easier 10 or 20 years ago. This is where my body and fitness level are now. Mentally I am much more focused on taking care of myself and developing a sustainable plan. I am more patient.1 -
I lost weight and became fit when I was in my mid-20’s. I’m 50 now and despite being healthy for half of my life, recovery is harder/takes longer. Running long distances on pavement has taken its toll because I didn’t lift weights or crosstrain until 10 years ago. My right foot is pretty arthritic. Knees pop/crack. Lower back aches. And YES, hormones! I cry at the drop of a hat.
All of that said, it’s better to get older than to NOT get older. Kudos to you for all that you are doing to get/be healthy!1 -
CarvedTones wrote: »Lillymoo01 wrote: »Our bodies are typically fully developed physically when we hit 20. Most athletes will peak in their mid 20's and there will be gradual deterioration after this. This, however, does not mean that you can not continue to be fit and healthy into old age, or can not become fitter if we are sedentary. It just means that it may not be quite as easy as it was when we were younger. In my case, I am fitter in my 40's than I ever was as a teen.
There are many in their old age that can achieve amazing things and I love seeing those in their 60's and above out jogging, rowing, swimming, cycling etc. They are inspiring (and I am a tad jealous because I know injury means I will never run).
That was an excuse I used the last time I got healthy and then let myself go again.
Shortly after my 54th birthday, I was disgusted with myself when I had to stop at the top of two flights of stairs to catch my breath. I was overweight and out of shape and decided to work on it. I decided to start dieting with the plan of losing "55 by 55", meaning I would lose 55 pounds, from 230 to 175, by my 55th birthday.
My birthday is late December, so the 55 by 55 was a New Year's resolution; those usually fail pretty quickly. Mine didn't. I did C25K thinking running a little would get me in better shape. I ran a 5k in April and by that point was starting to actually enjoy getting out and jogging a couple of miles a couple of times a week. Really enjoying it. I stepped it up and up. In October of that year I ran a half marathon in 2:08:25 , which is a respectable time for a mid 50s casual athlete. I was in the low 170s for my birthday, but most of the time weighed in the low 180s, which is a BMI of around 28. Still, I felt pretty good about where I was at and figured I would be one of those reasonably healthy old guys you see out running.
Early the next year I started pulling up lame after about 5 miles. I backed off on distances but it just became 4 miles, then 3, then 2... In the spring I ended up with one knee scoped and the other a candidate for it. The doctor told me that running was a really bad idea for me from then out. My joints really can't take it. My meniscus was torn in a few places and my patella was frayed. It wasn't from abuse; they just weren't up to heavy use and never will be.
I got out of shape and overweight again until last year when I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and work within the limitations. I paddle a lot now. With proper form that's mostly core and involves some of the largest muscles around the shoulder without much stress on the joint. Standing up, moving around on the board and balancing does involve the legs but with about the lowest impact possible. At the gym, I could use exercises from PT and I got with a trainer and had him help me find what worked within the limitations so I have been able to get in even better shape and stayed below 160 for several months so far.
A lot of it is attitude.
Having repairable injuries is so limiting. You just have to find what your body will allow you to do and what you enjoy doing to maintain a decent level of fitness. I do find it very hard accepting my limitations at times though because I would really love to be able to run.2 -
I have been fighting my weight all my life. In my 30s I hit a sweet spot of healthy eating and exercising for a few years.
The weight and bad habits creeped back and here I am still struggling with weight as I’m about to enter my 50s.
I’m exercising again and am finding it difficult to keep up with my 10-years-younger sister. I’ve been working out with a trainer for 1 year now and I get more sore and hurt myself more easily (pull muscles, delicate knee). Then there’s the pre-menopause symptoms 😒
Does my “aging” body have ANYTHING to do with finding exercising harder? Or is it just a matter of losing weight so I can be more agile? I know I’m not “old” to some, and I’ve read many posts of older people being super fit. I guess my question is more, is it harder to START at this age?
What are your thoughts? (No mean responses please)
I would say it's harder to start if you're trying to compete with a sister who is a decade younger than you, and you are trying to compete with her right out of the gate.
Even at a younger age you can injure yourself by going too hard too fast.
for example... muscles, joints, bones, tendons, etc... take much longer to develop then heart and lungs, so many people who start running tend to start going too fast too soon because their heart and lungs feel good enough to pick up the pace. Then they wind up injuring themselves because their joints aren't developed enough at that point.
I started when i was 57 just walking. Then started power walking. This year i started running, and currently can run up to 5 miles at a slow pace. I'm 61 now. Power walking has now become my recovery workout.
Take it slow. Push yourself but not too much too fast. Listen to your body, and make sure you get the right nutrients so your body can rebuild what it needs to. Get enough sleep, and enough recovery time. Recovery does not have to be just resting. It can be just a few miles of walking or a bike ride.
It's especially important to be at a good fitness level when your older. IMO.5 -
I started at age 59, lost 150 lbs, bern maintaining for 2 years. I never accomplished this when I was younger. At 63 I’m in the best shape of my life, doing activities I never dreamed of.
If you feel it’s harder for you than at a different time in life, that’s ok, but it’s still possible. In my book, that’s all that matters.8 -
Lillymoo01 wrote: »CarvedTones wrote: »Lillymoo01 wrote: »Our bodies are typically fully developed physically when we hit 20. Most athletes will peak in their mid 20's and there will be gradual deterioration after this. This, however, does not mean that you can not continue to be fit and healthy into old age, or can not become fitter if we are sedentary. It just means that it may not be quite as easy as it was when we were younger. In my case, I am fitter in my 40's than I ever was as a teen.
There are many in their old age that can achieve amazing things and I love seeing those in their 60's and above out jogging, rowing, swimming, cycling etc. They are inspiring (and I am a tad jealous because I know injury means I will never run).
That was an excuse I used the last time I got healthy and then let myself go again.
Shortly after my 54th birthday, I was disgusted with myself when I had to stop at the top of two flights of stairs to catch my breath. I was overweight and out of shape and decided to work on it. I decided to start dieting with the plan of losing "55 by 55", meaning I would lose 55 pounds, from 230 to 175, by my 55th birthday.
My birthday is late December, so the 55 by 55 was a New Year's resolution; those usually fail pretty quickly. Mine didn't. I did C25K thinking running a little would get me in better shape. I ran a 5k in April and by that point was starting to actually enjoy getting out and jogging a couple of miles a couple of times a week. Really enjoying it. I stepped it up and up. In October of that year I ran a half marathon in 2:08:25 , which is a respectable time for a mid 50s casual athlete. I was in the low 170s for my birthday, but most of the time weighed in the low 180s, which is a BMI of around 28. Still, I felt pretty good about where I was at and figured I would be one of those reasonably healthy old guys you see out running.
Early the next year I started pulling up lame after about 5 miles. I backed off on distances but it just became 4 miles, then 3, then 2... In the spring I ended up with one knee scoped and the other a candidate for it. The doctor told me that running was a really bad idea for me from then out. My joints really can't take it. My meniscus was torn in a few places and my patella was frayed. It wasn't from abuse; they just weren't up to heavy use and never will be.
I got out of shape and overweight again until last year when I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and work within the limitations. I paddle a lot now. With proper form that's mostly core and involves some of the largest muscles around the shoulder without much stress on the joint. Standing up, moving around on the board and balancing does involve the legs but with about the lowest impact possible. At the gym, I could use exercises from PT and I got with a trainer and had him help me find what worked within the limitations so I have been able to get in even better shape and stayed below 160 for several months so far.
A lot of it is attitude.
Having repairable injuries is so limiting. You just have to find what your body will allow you to do and what you enjoy doing to maintain a decent level of fitness. I do find it very hard accepting my limitations at times though because I would really love to be able to run.
This is me. It's not injury, it's my arthritis. I never was great shakes as a runner and never aspired to be one, but it made me happy to be a slow plodding runner. But man, the toll on my joints.
I have plenty of time in my day to do a lot of brisk walking, though. That will do. And I can still lift weights. I just can't go too heavy, and that's okay as well.
I am thinking of starting to do yoga to work on stability, because I really have none.2 -
Is it harder after 50? I wouldn't say that necessarily, but I would say it is extremely different than being in our 20's, 30's and 40's. Also - I think it depends on the physical condition at the starting line. Previous injuries, medical conditions, etc... that need to be kept in mind.
I began my 'fitness' routine at 48.. Now 52. It is noticeably a little more taxing on my body now than it was just 4 years ago. That said I'd like to think I am a little wiser than I was then after all of the injuries I've sustained trying to workout.
Have never been a great runner but by reducing my mileage and not trying to push the speed, I can still enjoy doing it. I've learned - for me - it's not worth risking slipping and falling on ice so I cease it completely during the crappy winter month's I live through. I have replaces winter running 4-6 mile long winter walks. This way I am still getting out there and not held inside.
I've also learned daily life is easier since I began lifting weights and doing Pilates. Functional day-to-day activities are easier due to better flexibility, mobility and strength. I do not lift heavy but have found working on total body routines with dumbbells has been most helpful. My Pilates Reformer helps me in every way imaginable.
Everyone is different. Using age as an excuse and doing nothing however, is just a self-imposed limitation/excuse.5 -
I believe so. I used to be 128 pounds when I was in 30s and I turned 50. Gained weight and couldn’t be active. I think menopause plays a huge role in it.4
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GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »Lillymoo01 wrote: »CarvedTones wrote: »Lillymoo01 wrote: »Our bodies are typically fully developed physically when we hit 20. Most athletes will peak in their mid 20's and there will be gradual deterioration after this. This, however, does not mean that you can not continue to be fit and healthy into old age, or can not become fitter if we are sedentary. It just means that it may not be quite as easy as it was when we were younger. In my case, I am fitter in my 40's than I ever was as a teen.
There are many in their old age that can achieve amazing things and I love seeing those in their 60's and above out jogging, rowing, swimming, cycling etc. They are inspiring (and I am a tad jealous because I know injury means I will never run).
That was an excuse I used the last time I got healthy and then let myself go again.
Shortly after my 54th birthday, I was disgusted with myself when I had to stop at the top of two flights of stairs to catch my breath. I was overweight and out of shape and decided to work on it. I decided to start dieting with the plan of losing "55 by 55", meaning I would lose 55 pounds, from 230 to 175, by my 55th birthday.
My birthday is late December, so the 55 by 55 was a New Year's resolution; those usually fail pretty quickly. Mine didn't. I did C25K thinking running a little would get me in better shape. I ran a 5k in April and by that point was starting to actually enjoy getting out and jogging a couple of miles a couple of times a week. Really enjoying it. I stepped it up and up. In October of that year I ran a half marathon in 2:08:25 , which is a respectable time for a mid 50s casual athlete. I was in the low 170s for my birthday, but most of the time weighed in the low 180s, which is a BMI of around 28. Still, I felt pretty good about where I was at and figured I would be one of those reasonably healthy old guys you see out running.
Early the next year I started pulling up lame after about 5 miles. I backed off on distances but it just became 4 miles, then 3, then 2... In the spring I ended up with one knee scoped and the other a candidate for it. The doctor told me that running was a really bad idea for me from then out. My joints really can't take it. My meniscus was torn in a few places and my patella was frayed. It wasn't from abuse; they just weren't up to heavy use and never will be.
I got out of shape and overweight again until last year when I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and work within the limitations. I paddle a lot now. With proper form that's mostly core and involves some of the largest muscles around the shoulder without much stress on the joint. Standing up, moving around on the board and balancing does involve the legs but with about the lowest impact possible. At the gym, I could use exercises from PT and I got with a trainer and had him help me find what worked within the limitations so I have been able to get in even better shape and stayed below 160 for several months so far.
A lot of it is attitude.
Having repairable injuries is so limiting. You just have to find what your body will allow you to do and what you enjoy doing to maintain a decent level of fitness. I do find it very hard accepting my limitations at times though because I would really love to be able to run.
This is me. It's not injury, it's my arthritis. I never was great shakes as a runner and never aspired to be one, but it made me happy to be a slow plodding runner. But man, the toll on my joints.
I have plenty of time in my day to do a lot of brisk walking, though. That will do. And I can still lift weights. I just can't go too heavy, and that's okay as well.
I am thinking of starting to do yoga to work on stability, because I really have none.
Mine is sort of a combination of arthritis and injuries. I beat up the little bit of little bit of protection between bone on bone pretty badly in spots, tore muscles and ligaments and exacerbated some inflammation at times when I pushed through pain (being a "tough guy" is severely overrated).
I am trying not to do it anymore but I have to admit I am only partially successful. I have an ortho appointment in the morning for shoulder pain that occurs while I pass through particular part of my range of motion and I have been trying to strengthen it and rehab for longer than I probably should have without seeing someone. I suspect it is a tear from past experience with them. Probably not a bad one as I have been able to get stronger, it isn't much worse (but a little worse) when it's loaded and there is little to no inflammation at the site. My other shoulder was scoped and there was a laundry list of stuff going on; a couple of tears that required stitching up, bone spurs, shaving off some of the end of a shoulder bone to reduce grinding and cleaning up a bunch of loose matter. He took a picture of arthritis while he was in there (looks like chalk marks on the bones).
Not being able to run is annoying. I use the ARCTrainer at the gym as long sessions on the treadmill are too hard on me and most Nordic style machines don't work me as hard as I like my cardio to. The ARCTrainer is Nordic inspired IMO but does have settings to work you harder. Last night I did 2 hours on it watching a downloaded movie and moved a little slowly this morning.
I would really like to be out on the back roads running and training toward a goal like a half marathon. I might do one paddling instead; definitely going to do some 10k races next spring, barring really bad news in the morning (though even if it is scoped, I might rehab enough to do 5k paddles by spring).0 -
When I read all the comments about arthritis or injuries I consider myself very, very fortunate. At 67 I only have a little arthritis, mostly in my hands. But not much and it doesn't keep me from playing guitar, which I do frequently as a member of a band.
As far as injuries, I don't have any that really affect me. For me to be injury free and arthritis free at my age in really a blessing and I am both thankful for it and my heart goes out to all of you who deal with this on a daily basis.4 -
When I read all the comments about arthritis or injuries I consider myself very, very fortunate. At 67 I only have a little arthritis, mostly in my hands. But not much and it doesn't keep me from playing guitar, which I do frequently as a member of a band.
As far as injuries, I don't have any that really affect me. For me to be injury free and arthritis free at my age in really a blessing and I am both thankful for it and my heart goes out to all of you who deal with this on a daily basis.
Thank you!
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Does anyone have any recommendation for a detox to jump start weight loss. Im 48 and started off good, lost 50 lbs, then went away, came back and gained 25 lbs back. Couldn;t get back into it. So need to jump start again. Any advice on what you want have used?5
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Detoxes are a scam and do nothing for weight loss. The only thing that gets lighter is your wallet. We don’t have batteries and can’t be “jump started”, that’s all diet industry crap to sell their bogus products to people.KimMcGrath2 wrote: »Does anyone have any recommendation for a detox to jump start weight loss. Im 48 and started off good, lost 50 lbs, then went away, came back and gained 25 lbs back. Couldn;t get back into it. So need to jump start again. Any advice on what you want have used?
Eat a reasonably nutritious diet, log your food accurately and maintain a consistent calorie deficit.
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Detoxes are a scam and do nothing for weight loss. The only thing that gets lighter is your wallet. We don’t have batteries and can’t be “jump started”, that’s all diet industry crap to sell their bogus products to people.KimMcGrath2 wrote: »Does anyone have any recommendation for a detox to jump start weight loss. Im 48 and started off good, lost 50 lbs, then went away, came back and gained 25 lbs back. Couldn;t get back into it. So need to jump start again. Any advice on what you want have used?
Eat a reasonably nutritious diet, log your food accurately and maintain a consistent calorie deficit.
This^ Detoxes don't doing anything for weight loss other than you don't get many nutrients for a few days. All you need is a calorie deficit and patience.2 -
KimMcGrath2 wrote: »Does anyone have any recommendation for a detox to jump start weight loss. Im 48 and started off good, lost 50 lbs, then went away, came back and gained 25 lbs back. Couldn;t get back into it. So need to jump start again. Any advice on what you want have used?
Hell no - avoid like the plague.
Just start tomorrow like you intend to carry on.2 -
KimMcGrath2 wrote: »Does anyone have any recommendation for a detox to jump start weight loss. Im 48 and started off good, lost 50 lbs, then went away, came back and gained 25 lbs back. Couldn;t get back into it. So need to jump start again. Any advice on what you want have used?
I used the slow and steady eat less than I burn 'detox' to 'jumpstart' my weight loss. It took a while but worked a treat. Anything labelled as a detox is a scam and the only thing you will lose is what is in your wallet.4 -
I'm currently 49, was in top shape at 26, let myself go for 20+ years due to job success until I landed in the hospital a year ago for congestive heart failure. I'm physically stronger than I was back then, but the weight takes longer to come off. Im now full of energy, super productive at work, and the house is spic and span lol. Got a ways to go of course. The way I see it, it took me 20 years to get to this point, it's not going to melt off overnight.3
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