How do you reconcile the reality of your aging body with the memory of your younger self?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At 46, I feel no different. I e always been a 6-day per week exerciser. Even with all the stress of competitive soccer and 6 marathons--I have zero aches and pains. No bad knees, back, shoulders, etc. I am still one of the top in every exercise class I take even competing with late 20/30-somethings.

My siblings (48 and 50) never regularly exercised and are falling apart.

The future crepeyness does have me worried though. Googling "neck bra" now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. I am 49 and having a surprisingly hard time with this transition.

+1

Sadly, it gets worse.

Thanks for the "pep talk". I suppose it makes you feel better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. I am 49 and having a surprisingly hard time with this transition.

+1

Sadly, it gets worse.

Thanks for the "pep talk". I suppose it makes you feel better.

hey

That's life.

I'm 50. I've been a regular exerciser most of my life and my diet is excellent. When I hit 49, I couldn't keep off the weight. I'm on synthroid for thyroid, which is my only issue. But no matter what I do, the weight stays on.

This doesn't mean I'm giving up on life. Jesus

If you don't want to hear it, then don't age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. I am 49 and having a surprisingly hard time with this transition.

+1

Sadly, it gets worse.

Thanks for the "pep talk". I suppose it makes you feel better.

hey

That's life.

I'm 50. I've been a regular exerciser most of my life and my diet is excellent. When I hit 49, I couldn't keep off the weight. I'm on synthroid for thyroid, which is my only issue. But no matter what I do, the weight stays on.

This doesn't mean I'm giving up on life. Jesus

If you don't want to hear it, then don't age.

PP here. I hear you. I would much prefer to age, believe me. But I guess I was hoping that people would focus on some of the positives, or how they still find joy in life. Because that's one thing we can control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At 46, I feel no different. I e always been a 6-day per week exerciser. Even with all the stress of competitive soccer and 6 marathons--I have zero aches and pains. No bad knees, back, shoulders, etc. I am still one of the top in every exercise class I take even competing with late 20/30-somethings.

My siblings (48 and 50) never regularly exercised and are falling apart.

How do you possibly have the time for this? I was a competitive athlete in my teens and 20s, kept up a very rigorous exercise routine in my 30s, but in my 40s, so much has had to give. Metro ridiculousness has been eating into my day for years, kids and husband have their needs, as do pets and aging parents. Not to mention, the demanding job. I get migraines on less than 7-8 hours of sleep too. Am barely able to keep a healthy sleep routine as it is. I can't imagine being able to spend two hours going to the gym, working out, and coming home - as I used to do daily. I'm not achy or anything, but I've definitely lost fitness. I try to run for 30 minutes a few days a week, but most days I'm 30 minutes behind the minute I wake up. I have seriously considered quitting my job because it's basically the only way for me to get any time in the day to myself.

Do you have a gym in your house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 46, I feel no different. I e always been a 6-day per week exerciser. Even with all the stress of competitive soccer and 6 marathons--I have zero aches and pains. No bad knees, back, shoulders, etc. I am still one of the top in every exercise class I take even competing with late 20/30-somethings.

My siblings (48 and 50) never regularly exercised and are falling apart.

How do you possibly have the time for this? I was a competitive athlete in my teens and 20s, kept up a very rigorous exercise routine in my 30s, but in my 40s, so much has had to give. Metro ridiculousness has been eating into my day for years, kids and husband have their needs, as do pets and aging parents. Not to mention, the demanding job. I get migraines on less than 7-8 hours of sleep too. Am barely able to keep a healthy sleep routine as it is. I can't imagine being able to spend two hours going to the gym, working out, and coming home - as I used to do daily. I'm not achy or anything, but I've definitely lost fitness. I try to run for 30 minutes a few days a week, but most days I'm 30 minutes behind the minute I wake up. I have seriously considered quitting my job because it's basically the only way for me to get any time in the day to myself.

Do you have a gym in your house?

My workouts are much shorter than they used to be.

2 days per week UXF class 40 min (it's like a boot camp/crossfit).
Run 45-60 min 2 days per week.
Spinning class 45 min (1-2 days per week).
I do weights 3-4 times per week for 20 min--typically in gym at UXF class or if it's a treadmill run in gym.

So 45-60min Max 5-6 days per week.

That one hour had been fixed in my life for decades. Yes-pre-kids it was 90 minutes minimum but not since I have them (they are 8 and 10).

I get creative too---I might run during their soccer practice, etc.

I do live in Clarendon so I only have to walk 2 blocks to gym, spinning studio, etc. that helps tremendously. I also WAH now, but before I teleworked I did it at lunch hour or end of day at work gym which was a pretty decent gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 46, I feel no different. I e always been a 6-day per week exerciser. Even with all the stress of competitive soccer and 6 marathons--I have zero aches and pains. No bad knees, back, shoulders, etc. I am still one of the top in every exercise class I take even competing with late 20/30-somethings.

My siblings (48 and 50) never regularly exercised and are falling apart.

How do you possibly have the time for this? I was a competitive athlete in my teens and 20s, kept up a very rigorous exercise routine in my 30s, but in my 40s, so much has had to give. Metro ridiculousness has been eating into my day for years, kids and husband have their needs, as do pets and aging parents. Not to mention, the demanding job. I get migraines on less than 7-8 hours of sleep too. Am barely able to keep a healthy sleep routine as it is. I can't imagine being able to spend two hours going to the gym, working out, and coming home - as I used to do daily. I'm not achy or anything, but I've definitely lost fitness. I try to run for 30 minutes a few days a week, but most days I'm 30 minutes behind the minute I wake up. I have seriously considered quitting my job because it's basically the only way for me to get any time in the day to myself.

Do you have a gym in your house?

My workouts are much shorter than they used to be.

2 days per week UXF class 40 min (it's like a boot camp/crossfit).
Run 45-60 min 2 days per week.
Spinning class 45 min (1-2 days per week).
I do weights 3-4 times per week for 20 min--typically in gym at UXF class or if it's a treadmill run in gym.

So 45-60min Max 5-6 days per week.

That one hour had been fixed in my life for decades. Yes-pre-kids it was 90 minutes minimum but not since I have them (they are 8 and 10).

I get creative too---I might run during their soccer practice, etc.

I do live in Clarendon so I only have to walk 2 blocks to gym, spinning studio, etc. that helps tremendously. I also WAH now, but before I teleworked I did it at lunch hour or end of day at work gym which was a pretty decent gym.

You are 46. Please come back when you are 56, ok? This isn't information that answers the question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 46, I feel no different. I e always been a 6-day per week exerciser. Even with all the stress of competitive soccer and 6 marathons--I have zero aches and pains. No bad knees, back, shoulders, etc. I am still one of the top in every exercise class I take even competing with late 20/30-somethings.

My siblings (48 and 50) never regularly exercised and are falling apart.

How do you possibly have the time for this? I was a competitive athlete in my teens and 20s, kept up a very rigorous exercise routine in my 30s, but in my 40s, so much has had to give. Metro ridiculousness has been eating into my day for years, kids and husband have their needs, as do pets and aging parents. Not to mention, the demanding job. I get migraines on less than 7-8 hours of sleep too. Am barely able to keep a healthy sleep routine as it is. I can't imagine being able to spend two hours going to the gym, working out, and coming home - as I used to do daily. I'm not achy or anything, but I've definitely lost fitness. I try to run for 30 minutes a few days a week, but most days I'm 30 minutes behind the minute I wake up. I have seriously considered quitting my job because it's basically the only way for me to get any time in the day to myself.

Do you have a gym in your house?

My workouts are much shorter than they used to be.

2 days per week UXF class 40 min (it's like a boot camp/crossfit).
Run 45-60 min 2 days per week.
Spinning class 45 min (1-2 days per week).
I do weights 3-4 times per week for 20 min--typically in gym at UXF class or if it's a treadmill run in gym.

So 45-60min Max 5-6 days per week.

That one hour had been fixed in my life for decades. Yes-pre-kids it was 90 minutes minimum but not since I have them (they are 8 and 10).

I get creative too---I might run during their soccer practice, etc.

I do live in Clarendon so I only have to walk 2 blocks to gym, spinning studio, etc. that helps tremendously. I also WAH now, but before I teleworked I did it at lunch hour or end of day at work gym which was a pretty decent gym.

You are 46. Please come back when you are 56, ok? This isn't information that answers the question.

Ok, so at 56 she can't expect to be able to do one hour of exercise a day? How is this irrelevant? Maybe it can't prevent an aging body but it can certainly benefit health and well being. There are workouts for people over 50.

[Anonymous]

Ok, so at 56 she can't expect to be able to do one hour of exercise a day? How is this irrelevant? Maybe it can't prevent an aging body but it can certainly benefit health and well being. There are workouts for people over 50.

Sigh. you're missing the point, along with so many other people on this thread:

the 50s are really, really different physiologically than the 40s. that is true no matter what your personal baseline is

Exercise is lovely in any decade, no one said it isn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, so at 56 she can't expect to be able to do one hour of exercise a day? How is this irrelevant? Maybe it can't prevent an aging body but it can certainly benefit health and well being. There are workouts for people over 50.

Sigh. you're missing the point, along with so many other people on this thread:

the 50s are really, really different physiologically than the 40s. that is true no matter what your personal baseline is

Exercise is lovely in any decade, no one said it isn't.

My instructor in UXF is 52 and in phenomenal shape. My 66 year old neighbor does ultra bike and running races. My 74 year old parents go to Gold's gym daily and look only 60.

My point is: use it or lose it.

The people I know that consistently exercised over decades handle aging and their bodies don't fall apart as rapidly over time.

Fact: you can still gain muscle until 70.

My goal is to start doing more weights vs cardio because that becomes much more important in later decades.

Mind over matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, so at 56 she can't expect to be able to do one hour of exercise a day? How is this irrelevant? Maybe it can't prevent an aging body but it can certainly benefit health and well being. There are workouts for people over 50.

Sigh. you're missing the point, along with so many other people on this thread:

the 50s are really, really different physiologically than the 40s. that is true no matter what your personal baseline is

Exercise is lovely in any decade, no one said it isn't.

My instructor in UXF is 52 and in phenomenal shape. My 66 year old neighbor does ultra bike and running races. My 74 year old parents go to Gold's gym daily and look only 60.

My point is: use it or lose it.

The people I know that consistently exercised over decades handle aging and their bodies don't fall apart as rapidly over time.

Fact: you can still gain muscle until 70.

My goal is to start doing more weights vs cardio because that becomes much more important in later decades.

Mind over matter.

Then you do it and report back in 5 to 10 years to tell us how it's going for you. I will about bet that if you are honest you have aches, pains, joint popping, surgeries...and don't even get me started on feet.

50's are different than your 40's. All of the exercise that you did in your younger days caused wear/tear on your body and that starts to catch up with you. You can definitely still do exercise but it will not be the same stuff that you were doing at 30/40 or even 45. I see lots of relatively (and admirably) fit 50/60/70 year olds. None of them look 30, none of them claim to be 30. And most have the good sense to modify exercise as they age. It may take time for that to sink in, but it is necessary for it to sink in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, so at 56 she can't expect to be able to do one hour of exercise a day? How is this irrelevant? Maybe it can't prevent an aging body but it can certainly benefit health and well being. There are workouts for people over 50.

Sigh. you're missing the point, along with so many other people on this thread:

the 50s are really, really different physiologically than the 40s. that is true no matter what your personal baseline is

Exercise is lovely in any decade, no one said it isn't.

My instructor in UXF is 52 and in phenomenal shape. My 66 year old neighbor does ultra bike and running races. My 74 year old parents go to Gold's gym daily and look only 60.

My point is: use it or lose it.

The people I know that consistently exercised over decades handle aging and their bodies don't fall apart as rapidly over time.

Fact: you can still gain muscle until 70.

My goal is to start doing more weights vs cardio because that becomes much more important in later decades.

Mind over matter.

Then you do it and report back in 5 to 10 years to tell us how it's going for you. I will about bet that if you are honest you have aches, pains, joint popping, surgeries...and don't even get me started on feet.

50's are different than your 40's. All of the exercise that you did in your younger days caused wear/tear on your body and that starts to catch up with you. You can definitely still do exercise but it will not be the same stuff that you were doing at 30/40 or even 45. I see lots of relatively (and admirably) fit 50/60/70 year olds. None of them look 30, none of them claim to be 30. And most have the good sense to modify exercise as they age. It may take time for that to sink in, but it is necessary for it to sink in.

Knock on wood. I'm lucky--no surgeries, pain, etc. But--I never said I'm trying to look 30. I think that's why people in America do aging so poorly. We are a youth-centric culture. The exercise is part of my mental health and keeps my body from breaking down as rapidly. I have 40-something friends (and siblings) that are moaning about aches and pains, but they never really exercised---or would do it a month or so. The lifestyle really catches up with you in the second half of life. My exercise class is filled with moms from 40-57 and they all kick ass. All were athletes in their youth. They do workouts that people half their age can't do.

You can knock it, that's fine. I hear excuses all of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, so at 56 she can't expect to be able to do one hour of exercise a day? How is this irrelevant? Maybe it can't prevent an aging body but it can certainly benefit health and well being. There are workouts for people over 50.

Sigh. you're missing the point, along with so many other people on this thread:

the 50s are really, really different physiologically than the 40s. that is true no matter what your personal baseline is

Exercise is lovely in any decade, no one said it isn't.

My instructor in UXF is 52 and in phenomenal shape. My 66 year old neighbor does ultra bike and running races. My 74 year old parents go to Gold's gym daily and look only 60.

My point is: use it or lose it.

The people I know that consistently exercised over decades handle aging and their bodies don't fall apart as rapidly over time.

Fact: you can still gain muscle until 70.

My goal is to start doing more weights vs cardio because that becomes much more important in later decades.

Mind over matter.

Then you do it and report back in 5 to 10 years to tell us how it's going for you. I will about bet that if you are honest you have aches, pains, joint popping, surgeries...and don't even get me started on feet.

50's are different than your 40's. All of the exercise that you did in your younger days caused wear/tear on your body and that starts to catch up with you. You can definitely still do exercise but it will not be the same stuff that you were doing at 30/40 or even 45. I see lots of relatively (and admirably) fit 50/60/70 year olds. None of them look 30, none of them claim to be 30. And most have the good sense to modify exercise as they age. It may take time for that to sink in, but it is necessary for it to sink in.

Knock on wood. I'm lucky--no surgeries, pain, etc. But--I never said I'm trying to look 30. I think that's why people in America do aging so poorly. We are a youth-centric culture. The exercise is part of my mental health and keeps my body from breaking down as rapidly. I have 40-something friends (and siblings) that are moaning about aches and pains, but they never really exercised---or would do it a month or so. The lifestyle really catches up with you in the second half of life. My exercise class is filled with moms from 40-57 and they all kick ass. All were athletes in their youth. They do workouts that people half their age can't do.

You can knock it, that's fine. I hear excuses all of the time.

Btw, the poster did mention she was modifying to shorter workouts and more weights as she aged. It does sound like she is knowledgable and modifying the workouts based on age. Lifting weights is the number one exercise people over 40 should be doing above everything else when muscle loss (which leads to loss in strength and slower metabolism) begins picking up. You can add muscle into 70. Muscle also helps with the sag. Yes--everyone ages. But, consistent exercise is good for you.

The people like negative Nancy that see it only as a means to 'look good/prevent aging' are missing the whole point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, so at 56 she can't expect to be able to do one hour of exercise a day? How is this irrelevant? Maybe it can't prevent an aging body but it can certainly benefit health and well being. There are workouts for people over 50.

Sigh. you're missing the point, along with so many other people on this thread:

the 50s are really, really different physiologically than the 40s. that is true no matter what your personal baseline is

Exercise is lovely in any decade, no one said it isn't.

My instructor in UXF is 52 and in phenomenal shape. My 66 year old neighbor does ultra bike and running races. My 74 year old parents go to Gold's gym daily and look only 60.

My point is: use it or lose it.

The people I know that consistently exercised over decades handle aging and their bodies don't fall apart as rapidly over time.

Fact: you can still gain muscle until 70.

My goal is to start doing more weights vs cardio because that becomes much more important in later decades.

Mind over matter.

Then you do it and report back in 5 to 10 years to tell us how it's going for you. I will about bet that if you are honest you have aches, pains, joint popping, surgeries...and don't even get me started on feet.

50's are different than your 40's. All of the exercise that you did in your younger days caused wear/tear on your body and that starts to catch up with you. You can definitely still do exercise but it will not be the same stuff that you were doing at 30/40 or even 45. I see lots of relatively (and admirably) fit 50/60/70 year olds. None of them look 30, none of them claim to be 30. And most have the good sense to modify exercise as they age. It may take time for that to sink in, but it is necessary for it to sink in.

Knock on wood. I'm lucky--no surgeries, pain, etc. But--I never said I'm trying to look 30. I think that's why people in America do aging so poorly. We are a youth-centric culture. The exercise is part of my mental health and keeps my body from breaking down as rapidly. I have 40-something friends (and siblings) that are moaning about aches and pains, but they never really exercised---or would do it a month or so. The lifestyle really catches up with you in the second half of life. My exercise class is filled with moms from 40-57 and they all kick ass. All were athletes in their youth. They do workouts that people half their age can't do.

You can knock it, that's fine. I hear excuses all of the time.

np - we are old and feeble but we get it. why don't you move along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, so at 56 she can't expect to be able to do one hour of exercise a day? How is this irrelevant? Maybe it can't prevent an aging body but it can certainly benefit health and well being. There are workouts for people over 50.

Sigh. you're missing the point, along with so many other people on this thread:

the 50s are really, really different physiologically than the 40s. that is true no matter what your personal baseline is

Exercise is lovely in any decade, no one said it isn't.

My instructor in UXF is 52 and in phenomenal shape. My 66 year old neighbor does ultra bike and running races. My 74 year old parents go to Gold's gym daily and look only 60.

My point is: use it or lose it.

The people I know that consistently exercised over decades handle aging and their bodies don't fall apart as rapidly over time.

Fact: you can still gain muscle until 70.

My goal is to start doing more weights vs cardio because that becomes much more important in later decades.

Mind over matter.

Then you do it and report back in 5 to 10 years to tell us how it's going for you. I will about bet that if you are honest you have aches, pains, joint popping, surgeries...and don't even get me started on feet.

50's are different than your 40's. All of the exercise that you did in your younger days caused wear/tear on your body and that starts to catch up with you. You can definitely still do exercise but it will not be the same stuff that you were doing at 30/40 or even 45. I see lots of relatively (and admirably) fit 50/60/70 year olds. None of them look 30, none of them claim to be 30. And most have the good sense to modify exercise as they age. It may take time for that to sink in, but it is necessary for it to sink in.

Knock on wood. I'm lucky--no surgeries, pain, etc. But--I never said I'm trying to look 30. I think that's why people in America do aging so poorly. We are a youth-centric culture. The exercise is part of my mental health and keeps my body from breaking down as rapidly. I have 40-something friends (and siblings) that are moaning about aches and pains, but they never really exercised---or would do it a month or so. The lifestyle really catches up with you in the second half of life. My exercise class is filled with moms from 40-57 and they all kick ass. All were athletes in their youth. They do workouts that people half their age can't do.

You can knock it, that's fine. I hear excuses all of the time.

np - we are old and feeble but we get it. why don't you move along.

watch the Olympic commercial with the old (80-something) nun doing the triathlons. Inspirational. I know people that didn't even being running marathons UNTIL they hit 60 years old. You think your old, you'll act and feel that way. You accept aging and live life and keep moving--you'll be a lot better off.