What to expect as you age?

tarsmom · ‎03-21-2010

I am soon to be 63 and work full time in an office. Lots of computer work, deadlines and we all pretty much keep to ourselves during work hours. I have always been someone who's viewed as "high-energy" even a little "hyper" and I have about two years left to work.

I'm a little surprised that as I get older, I don't have that energy I used to have. My hands have arthritis, my neck and back are tense and I guess I didn't expect to feel like this as I get older. My mom (rest her soul) told me over 15 years ago, "honey you're not 23 anymore, you can't expect to have the energy you used to have."

Do you ladies (and gents) feel this way too? I honestly don't have many others in my age group to ask. Most of them are retired, or are on disability themselves. I don't want to complain but I am not around hardly anyone my own age so I guess I'm trying to be 30 in a 63 year old body.

If you are retired, did you get your energy back after you stopped working? Or are my energetic days behind me? Most days something is hurting, not bad enough to stay home, but I am feeling it.

It would help me to hear your thoughts

Thank you!

Edited to add: I had a recent physical and everything looked good - blood work, slightly high cholesterol - everything else ok.

panda1234 · ‎04-27-2015

I feel it too. I use to go 100mph nonstop but now I have to stop and cool off before I can continue. I work with nurses my age and they can do 16 hours on their feet, not me.

chiclet · ‎03-19-2010

I used to be one of those people who was so hyper and never stopped. Now at 67 and retired I can do just so much before I get tired. I think some of it is getting older and some is that I just don't have to do anything at certain time and am out of shape. Today I plan to clean the floors and that is a job but when younger I would do it in no time so I could go on to something more fun. Now nothing really fun to look forward to so I just do it to get it over with. Also it is important to stay in shape. I am supposed to be walking but it is so hot outside and the mosquitos are awful.....Always an excuse. All said the body just wears out.

Ladylaughsalot · ‎06-01-2010

I am 64, and I no longer have the energy I used to have. No matter how hard I try I just can’t get that level of energy back. Luckily, I don’t have aches and pains on a daily basis, but I don’t have the strength I used to have, and I do have aches from time to time.

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

I am 63 as well...(in a few weeks) and I also have a lot of energy, always have .... I work 3 days a week at our small business, on the off days I do yard work, house work, etc....those chores never seem to end!

I am not one to want my DH to help me around the house....he does things very differently than I do and my health is very good so at this point I do not need help, as others will with ill health need....very thankfull for that!

I have noticed that I am able to put off doing things like putting dishes/laundry away as soon as things are folded or washed, I don't know why, maybe priorities are different or maybe I am just tired of doing those chores. One thing I have noticed is that working outside in the heat zaps me quicker than it did before, I am sure that is age related.

I have a friend that is soon to be 65, she has a high pressure job and really has very little energy to do typical household chores....she is tired and stressed and looking forward to semi-retirement in about 18 months. Which I am happy for (as well as the rest of us that runaroundtogether) because she is really crabby....I am sure her attitude is stress related.

I have no answer for you but I am thankfull that I am able to still do what I enjoy doing without help and without feeling to tired. My mom died at 62 so I cannot compare myself to her.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

I'm 64 and besides my knees hurting going up and down stairs and having a hard time losing weight I feel the same as I always did. I never was I high energy person to begin with and I have envied those who were.

CinNC · ‎10-05-2012

I was a very high energy person when I was younger. In my 30s, I would get up on Sat (after working all week) spend 5 hours gardening (starting at 5am), clean the house, go grocery shopping and then cook dinner for guests. My ex-husband used to give me a hard time if I was dragging on Sunday.

Now my knees are shot, and quite frankly, my priorities are different. As well as my motivation. So, yes, I think we change....mentally and physically.

And since I'm now retired, I don't always feel I have to do the dishes immediately.

StylishLady · ‎03-11-2010

I'll be 84 in October. I realize I have slowed down a little, but I'm still able to work out, tend to my gardens and do most everything I did when younger. The main thing is not to dwell on it. Go with the flow and enjoy life.

blueroses47 · ‎03-09-2010

I just turned 71, and yes, there is a big difference in how much I can do compared to what I used to do.

I have a bad back, arthritis in my hands, but good health otherwise.

I do heavy work in the house and garden (REALLY heavy work in the garden, digging out hard beds, etc.), but I can't do as much without fatigue as I used to, can't clean the whole house on a weekly basis in half a day the way I used to, and then have energy for something else. I still paint rooms myself with my husband, help him move heavy furniture, do things a lot of women my age don't seem to be able to do, though.

I find that I can work all day and accomplish a lot, but now after dinner, I can barely bring myself to even clean up the kitchen. That seems like something that can wait until tomorrow, and often does. When I was younger and working full time, I did so much in the evenings, but now evening time I feel half-dead, so to speak.

I work out seriously at the gym about three times a week, and I'm sure that helps keep me at the level I am.

I'm not complaining, I think I'm very lucky to do as much as I do....and I just hope I can keep going this way as long as possible. I know I will have to adjust as time goes on.

Eileen in Virginia · ‎08-25-2010

I’m 64 (almost 65) and I’ve slowed down some since I retired 8 years ago. Like you, my health is generally good. DH and I need to exercise more and could lose some weight, but we’re happy with our lives. I notice that my joints are “creaky” when I get up in the morning or after sitting for awhile - nothing awful, but I don’t jump up and hit the deck running. Regarding your neck and shoulder tension, do you have a good ergonomic desk chair that supports you when you’re working at your computer? Are you eating nutritious meals and snacks to fuel your body so you’re able to deal with your work environment? Do you drink a lot of alcoholic or caffeinated drinks? Do you get enough sleep at night?

Your mother was right - you can’t treat your 60’ish body like it’s still 23. That doesn’t mean you have to throw in the towel, just cut yourself a break. Are there parts of your job that you can delegate or cross-train others to do. This might enable you to ease up on your workload or take a little time off without worrying that the work was getting done. Also, if you’re considering retirement in a couple years, it could be seen as you being proactive in helping your company prepare for that happy day.

When I was working, my colleagues considered me a Type A+ personality and predicted I’d be back at work within a couple of months. I fooled them! As others have stated, I don’t need to worry about meeting a packed schedule or getting stressed out about missing deadlines anymore. I’m only responsible for myself and, to a lesser extent, DH. I do things at a slower pace that allows me to stay up later reading or watching a good show and sleep in so I wake up naturally. If I want to volunteer, I do it in my terms. I guess what I’m saying is I have more control over my life than I did when I was working. In conclusion, I’d have to say that I’m really enjoying life at this age. As long as my health is good, I just deal with the hiccups life throws at me as they come. Good luck!