Welcome to Debate Club! Please be aware that this is a space for respectful debate, and that your ideas will be challenged here. Please remember to critique the argument, not the author.
Thoughts on getting old vs aging
Replies
-
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 ….
.
You are Dead Right, IMO.
After getting to know lots of people who at have succeeded simply through consistent effort (no "luck", "secrets" or "miracles" needed), I've just about run out of patience with those who make vague age or time related excuses as a cover for laziness and self limiting thinking.8 -
Great video. The art of selecting the most clickbait-iest image for the video cover (the jacked dude dancing with a fit lady in a very tiny bikini) is on full display here
! 3 -
Bry_Fitness70 wrote: »
Great video. The art of selecting the most clickbait-iest image for the video cover (the jacked dude dancing with a fit lady in a very tiny bikini) is on full display here !
Oh my gosh lol..it's hard to find ones that don't have the click bait.0 -
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.
Bolded and highlighted. Sometimes it takes longer when we're older (especially if we're learning something new), sometimes the struggle with life balance is real, and sometimes we have very physical "limitations" we need to work around/with, but, I'm a firm believer that sheer stubborness can pay off.
No, it's not easy. Yes, it can suck. A lot. But the payoff is more than worth it IMO.
I don't think of myself as old (40), I don't feel old for the most part, but my body does have some, ah, "memories" of the fact that I've lived more life than I had in my 20's LOL! So I have had to learn to work with and around some limitations, but I don't plan on letting them stop me. May have altered the course a bit, but stop? Nope.3 -
This is one of my inspirational videos: Paul Randall qualifying for the 2014 Indoor Rowing Championships at age 96. "Qualifying" is hitting an age-group time standard that gets you a subsidized trip to the national event.
https://youtu.be/WtVZbu03RS4
I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Randall at the Indiana Indoor Rowing Championships, back in 2004/2005. Such a friendly, charming, modest, low-key guy, and certainly an inspiration. He flew 65 missions as a bomber pilot in WWII, took up running at age 55 and completed 11 marathons, as well as qualifying for multiple Indoor Rowing Championships (CRASH-B at the time). He passed away in 2016 at age 98.
Rick Rickman's photos for the book "The Wonder Years: Portraits of Athletes Who Never Slow Down" (masters' games athletes) are pretty wonderful, too. This is one:
You can see more of them here: https://www.rickrickman.com/gallery.html?gallery=The+Wonder+Years&folio=Portfolio&vimeoUserID=&vimeoAlbumID=#/0
Worth a look.9 -
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!5
-
I worry more about mental than physical decline as I age, though both are certainly important. I was inspired to exercise more by reading that there was at least a correlation between exercise and holding on to one's mental faculties, though I believe more research is needed there. However, a reduction in the risk of stroke and maybe dementia are enough to encourage me to keep moving, as well as keeping learning new things for brain food. I suppose learning a new sport would do double duty there. Skiing? Tennis? Croquet? Anyone start a completely new sport/activity later in life? I'm too antisocial for team sports, though. Sharing the walking/running trail with others is quite sufficient. (I like the dogs, but pairs of joggers glued at the hip and hogging the trail really annoy me.)5
-
I worry more about mental than physical decline as I age, though both are certainly important. I was inspired to exercise more by reading that there was at least a correlation between exercise and holding on to one's mental faculties, though I believe more research is needed there. However, a reduction in the risk of stroke and maybe dementia are enough to encourage me to keep moving, as well as keeping learning new things for brain food. I suppose learning a new sport would do double duty there. Skiing? Tennis? Croquet? Anyone start a completely new sport/activity later in life? I'm too antisocial for team sports, though. Sharing the walking/running trail with others is quite sufficient. (I like the dogs, but pairs of joggers glued at the hip and hogging the trail really annoy me.)
I was out-run by an 88 year old man at a half-marathon a few years ago. He said he started running in his late 60's. He told me he first started coming out to the races to meet women. He kept at it because all the activity seemed to keep his joints lubricated and pain-free.
It's not really that much later in life, although it's not early either, but I just started mountain biking in my 40's. That was a new experience for me and it has kept me challenged - physically and mentally! On my birthday biking trip last spring, I met a woman at the top of a steep mountain trail who was turning 70 soon. She said she started riding at 55. But she didn't look a day over a hot 55. I'm gonna be that woman some day.
6 -
I worry more about mental than physical decline as I age, though both are certainly important. I was inspired to exercise more by reading that there was at least a correlation between exercise and holding on to one's mental faculties, though I believe more research is needed there. However, a reduction in the risk of stroke and maybe dementia are enough to encourage me to keep moving, as well as keeping learning new things for brain food. I suppose learning a new sport would do double duty there. Skiing? Tennis? Croquet? Anyone start a completely new sport/activity later in life? I'm too antisocial for team sports, though. Sharing the walking/running trail with others is quite sufficient. (I like the dogs, but pairs of joggers glued at the hip and hogging the trail really annoy me.)
I only took up cycling seriously in my 50's but last year met a really inspirational character on a long distance Audax event (*).
I was doing it with a friend and exceptional cyclist who attacks hills like they are mortal enemies but overall we were having a fun day with brisk cycling but having relaxed stops for coffee/lunch/afternoon tea and cake. We kept passing a chap on the many sharp climbs and he would call out "I'm rubbish on hills, I'm a time trialist".
As he took shorter café stops we kept meeting up and we would catch him again on a hill. Always it was a friendly call of "I'm a time trialist".
When we met at the end (over more food!) we had a good chat and he revealed his age was mid-70's. Only started to cycle when he retired at age 65, loved it. Tried time trialing - loved it and was very serious about it with a TT bike, skin suit, teardrop aero helmet and did club events most weeks. His whole mindset was being competitor not a participant. Very up to date on technology, mentally sharp, really enthusiastic about his sport.
I was really impressed that he didn't define himself by his age. For me he combined the elements for aging well in being physically active, socially active, willing to try new things, enthusiastic and willing to push himself.
By the way he finished in the top 20% - ahead of far younger riders.
(* = Audax events are sometimes described as long distance eating contests held in beautiful countryside.
) 7 -
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.
QFT.
In some ways, I think it's actually helped me to have arrived at my current age without any previous experience of a working body. I'd been obese and unfit for my entire life, since early childhood. I have muscle and bone damage that dates to my late teens. All of which has meant that I have no expectations to fall short of.
I think that for a lot of people of my sort of age (late 30s, early 40s) the problem is that their past was too rosy. They remember younger, fitter selves who could do all sorts of things 'effortlessly' (actually as the result of a lot of physical effort as they grew up, disguised as having fun). When they gain weight and lose fitness due to parenthood, sedentary jobs etc, all they can see is that they can no longer do things they used to be able to do. Even if they try to commit to losing weight and improving their fitness they're still mentally looking backwards and comparing themselves against a younger, more able and active self, rather than looking at what they can do, right now. And then when it takes actual time and effort to improve they're shocked and appalled, and think that it's age that's making things hard - and when you have an excuse for failure, it's really easy to give up trying.
For me, there are no things I used to be able to do. I literally have no idea what my body is capable of, and I'm so far beyond what my limits used to be that I had to throw all ideas of limitations away. I have never had physical skills come 'effortlessly', so I expect to have to put in effort; and I expect to have to keep putting in effort for months before I notice any changes.
People's big problem is their preconceptions, and I don't have any. Which is how I'm currently up to 18 miles in my hiking, on a perma-broken ankle. I just took it slowly. But I don't run, because high-impact is a genuine limitation, and I know that because I keep checking just in case that changes as well 7 -
I love all these posts! I just turned 65 and really feel wonderful! It has been a long journey as my BP was so high in my 50's that I basically stroked out. I still need to lose 10-12 lbs. but that isn't my main focus. My goal is to continue eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy activity level. Age present some challenges but so far they haven't slowed me down.5
-
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.
QFT.
In some ways, I think it's actually helped me to have arrived at my current age without any previous experience of a working body. I'd been obese and unfit for my entire life, since early childhood. I have muscle and bone damage that dates to my late teens. All of which has meant that I have no expectations to fall short of.
I think that for a lot of people of my sort of age (late 30s, early 40s) the problem is that their past was too rosy. They remember younger, fitter selves who could do all sorts of things 'effortlessly' (actually as the result of a lot of physical effort as they grew up, disguised as having fun). When they gain weight and lose fitness due to parenthood, sedentary jobs etc, all they can see is that they can no longer do things they used to be able to do. Even if they try to commit to losing weight and improving their fitness they're still mentally looking backwards and comparing themselves against a younger, more able and active self, rather than looking at what they can do, right now. And then when it takes actual time and effort to improve they're shocked and appalled, and think that it's age that's making things hard - and when you have an excuse for failure, it's really easy to give up trying.
For me, there are no things I used to be able to do. I literally have no idea what my body is capable of, and I'm so far beyond what my limits used to be that I had to throw all ideas of limitations away. I have never had physical skills come 'effortlessly', so I expect to have to put in effort; and I expect to have to keep putting in effort for months before I notice any changes.
People's big problem is their preconceptions, and I don't have any. Which is how I'm currently up to 18 miles in my hiking, on a perma-broken ankle. I just took it slowly. But I don't run, because high-impact is a genuine limitation, and I know that because I keep checking just in case that changes as well
@ceiswyn I can relate to what you are saying. Years ago I just had to decide I was going to live until I died and just kept moving within my physical limitations. Now I can actually do more than decades ago since having slipped out of my mental cage.2 -
I worry more about mental than physical decline as I age, though both are certainly important. I was inspired to exercise more by reading that there was at least a correlation between exercise and holding on to one's mental faculties, though I believe more research is needed there. However, a reduction in the risk of stroke and maybe dementia are enough to encourage me to keep moving, as well as keeping learning new things for brain food. I suppose learning a new sport would do double duty there. Skiing? Tennis? Croquet? Anyone start a completely new sport/activity later in life? I'm too antisocial for team sports, though. Sharing the walking/running trail with others is quite sufficient. (I like the dogs, but pairs of joggers glued at the hip and hogging the trail really annoy me.)
After a fairly sedentary prior life (especially the preceding decade-ish of it), I started rowing after cancer treatment at age 46, while obese, and with a couple of years started competing as a masters rower (indoor races, local/regional on-water, masters nationals, Head of the Charles).
One of my teammates (on the breast cancer survivors team where I started) was 70 when she learned to row. Some few years later a couple of years after she was widowed, her new boyfriend took our local community rowing club's learn to row class at age 81, and did fine. She and he aren't much rowing anymore (logistics more than incapability). I just went to her 85th birthday party. They're both still going to the gym daily, and doing great.
Others I know started rowing in about 2004 in their late 50s/early 60s, and are now still going strong in their early 70s. The one of those who had started seriously weight training in her 30s (and has kept it up for around 40 years!) has a body at 72 that most 40-something women (and many younger) would envy.
ETA: On-water rowing is usually a group thing to start (multi-person boats are more stable and easier for coaches to wrangle), but single shells are a wonderful thing in the somewhat longer run for anyone who prefers a solo workout.5 -
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.
4 -
I love reading the responses here. Awesome 🙂👍4
-
Age is only what you let it control, I’m still skipping down the street with my 6 year old grand daughter. Born 19604
-
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.
Think someone may have been bitten by the tri bug, lol!
Fair warning: The symptoms get more severe over time......and there is no cure 1 -
I worry more about mental than physical decline as I age, though both are certainly important. I was inspired to exercise more by reading that there was at least a correlation between exercise and holding on to one's mental faculties, though I believe more research is needed there. However, a reduction in the risk of stroke and maybe dementia are enough to encourage me to keep moving, as well as keeping learning new things for brain food. I suppose learning a new sport would do double duty there. Skiing? Tennis? Croquet? Anyone start a completely new sport/activity later in life? I'm too antisocial for team sports, though. Sharing the walking/running trail with others is quite sufficient. (I like the dogs, but pairs of joggers glued at the hip and hogging the trail really annoy me.)
After a fairly sedentary prior life (especially the preceding decade-ish of it), I started rowing after cancer treatment at age 46, while obese, and with a couple of years started competing as a masters rower (indoor races, local/regional on-water, masters nationals, Head of the Charles).
One of my teammates (on the breast cancer survivors team where I started) was 70 when she learned to row. Some few years later a couple of years after she was widowed, her new boyfriend took our local community rowing club's learn to row class at age 81, and did fine. She and he aren't much rowing anymore (logistics more than incapability). I just went to her 85th birthday party. They're both still going to the gym daily, and doing great.
Others I know started rowing in about 2004 in their late 50s/early 60s, and are now still going strong in their early 70s. The one of those who had started seriously weight training in her 30s (and has kept it up for around 40 years!) has a body at 72 that most 40-something women (and many younger) would envy.
ETA: On-water rowing is usually a group thing to start (multi-person boats are more stable and easier for coaches to wrangle), but single shells are a wonderful thing in the somewhat longer run for anyone who prefers a solo workout.
When I started indoor rowing, Bob Spenger used to help me out a lot with kind words and advice. Bob didn't like to brag, but at the time, he held nearly every Indoor record on the C2 there was for the over 90 category.
It kind of became somewhat of an ongoing joke on the C2 boards about what record did Bob break today?
He was well known both in the indoor and OTW rowing worlds. Really fab guy, fantastic mind and great chemist when young too (he corrected me more than once on assumptions I had being a non tech guy).
He passed last year (actually it was 2017, lost track of time!). One of his final posts on the C2 forums was about how he was trying to figure out if he could create a device to pull the rowing handle to him to get himself started, because he had had a recent knee replacement and couldn't reach the handle with his limited flexibility.
http://www.rowingnews.com/robert-spenger-1924-2017/
The fact that he was sub 30 minutes on a six K at 91 in itself was pretty miraculous.
He was one of my idols for sure. I'm not the only one.3 -
@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 read a report on people who had lived into their 90's and the researchers look at many different criterion - however, the only common one was that all of these people had stairs in their homes.7 -
walktalkdog wrote: »@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 read a report on people who had lived into their 90's and the researchers look at many different criterion - however, the only common one was that all of these people had stairs in their homes.
Wow interesting for sure...yeah I recall seeing somewhere that if you walk at least 2 flights of stairs per day it can add a certain amount of years to your life.2
https://youtu.be/BQr8h7eLA2o
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.2K Introduce Yourself
- 43.4K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 386 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 895 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.2K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions