What to expect as you age? - Page 2

brandiwine · ‎03-11-2010

Yes things ache and you don't have the range of motion and you don't have the energy you once did. One thing that has really made a difference for me is doing aqua classes. Easy on your joints, but great cardio and strength training. We use weights designed for water. We also work on balance in moving water. I can stand straight up, bring a leg up, grab my toes with my leg straight and hold for a wonderful stretch. Stretching is something we all should do everyday. Attitude is the most important thing in getting older. When you retire try to find a group with similar interests, sewing, knitting, books, exercise, etc. You'll meet new people and gain new interests. It's wonderful.

newname0 · ‎06-20-2015

I am 72. I think it has to do with motivation. When I don't have anything to look forward to the housework suffers but motivate me with something then I get going. I guess that's what you give up when you're not in the day to day schedule of a workplace.

However there are other things to enjoy - leisurely drinking coffee on the deck, studying the bible on radio, etc. You find different things to do.

I am looking forward to visiting my son in upstate New York at the end of Aug. and that really motivates me now.

I think you will develop your own retirement schedule. Good luck and enjoy.

spiderw · ‎06-14-2010

I am 72 and retired years ago. Physically my joints ache (knees especially), my energy levels are less and I am not as active as I was. With age you do slow down and all of my friends are in the same boat. There are some older people who because of good health manage to keep up with their activities but no matter what I think your stamina isn't as strong and you tire easily or take a lot of breaks!

Mentally and emotionally I feel young and still am as out spoken and passionate about certain causes. I still try to fight for what is right and just in the issues I believe in and have never wavered from that. I have a lot of wisdom which I try to share with younger people, I have learned from my mistakes and while I have regrets and guilt, I do not allow those emotions to rule my life. I feel I am as well informed in all that I care about as I have always been.

While my physical being may slow down, I have gained much knowledge through life's journeys and am still learning. The best is I still have a sense of humor which has been an asset for me since I was young and has given much joy and laughter.

Enjoy life each day and do what you can to have a full one. The most important thing is to have good health, that also makes a big difference and If I had one wish, I would wish for continuing good health.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

I've had a shift in my thinking since I'm now disabled due to numerous orthopedic issues. I no longer care to go to events where I have to walk forever just to get from my car to the event.Or things like fairs where I have to walk miles once I get in the event. It just doesn't interest me anymore!I am much more interested in going to places with people my own age and interests, whose abilities are very similar to my own.

ALRATIBA · ‎07-15-2016

I don't expect anything ... we all age differently - different places - different circumstances. But - generally in my family aging has been a fairly easy, natural process. Good genes? Maybe. Who knows?

I worked until I was 68 and then took off for three weeks in Italy. That was 8 years ago and I'm still going! I just turned 76. Most of my friends are older than me.

We all live in NYC ... and have fairly active social lives, involved in various activities. In fact, a friend and I were just trying to figure out if we can re-arrange some things on our calendars to attend a luncheon that just came up.

I'm basically healthy ... a few age-related things like arthritis. But you learn to manage it and cope. And there's always a Tylenol not far away.

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

I am only 55 but retired. I feel every bit my age. I don't have the flexibility, strength, energy or stamina I used to...nor the motivation. I've always eaten fairly well and have stayed slim. For the last several years, I have power walked 3 times a week. Unforseen circumstances occurred this winter, and I didn't walk for several months. Started back in and had bad hip pain. I kept powering through it, but it was getting worse, and then I tried rest, ice, Aleve, alternating all of these things...still had it. Saw my doctor, and I have tendonitis caused by arthritis. If I'd kept up my walking, the tendonitis might not have developed. I've never had anything like this before that limited my activities, and it really made me be in a funk.

Anyway, I followed the advice he gave me concerning medication/rest/exercise and also started doing easy yoga. First time into yoga, and that has been a godsend. I can't believe how much it's helped my pain, flexibility, strength, and overall well-being. I highly recommend Peggy Cappy's programs. They're available as DVD's, online streaming, and are free if you have Amazon Prime. They are for beginners or people who are not in great shape and are wonderful.

I also took this recovery time to start strength training and bought a Nano Gym (which is similar to a chair gym). I love it, too!

Started taking Turmeric to help with arthritis and really got serious about making sure I'm taking all my vitamins and supplements.

I power walked for the first time in over a month two days ago, and while my hip hurt slightly when I was done, it wasn't bad and hasn't hurt since. I am hoping that I am over the worst of it and am almost glad all this happened since I discovered yoga and found a strength training program that I like...all forms of exercise that I needed!

So I guess the point of my long post is that if you're not taking care of your health now, START! Do some cardio, strength training, and yoga, because "motion is lotion." The aches, pains, limitation or loss of mobility will likely come. A person can't stop the hands of time, but we CAN control the quality of our lives to some extent, and I am glad I got this wakeup call when I did.

Zhills · ‎11-15-2011

@ALRATIBA wrote:
I don't expect anything ... we all age differently - different places - different circumstances. But - generally in my family aging has been a fairly easy, natural process. Good genes? Maybe. Who knows?

I worked until I was 68 and then took off for three weeks in Italy. That was 8 years ago and I'm still going! I just turned 76. Most of my friends are older than me.

We all live in NYC ... and have fairly active social lives, involved in various activities. In fact, a friend and I were just trying to figure out if we can re-arrange some things on our calendars to attend a luncheon that just came up.

I'm basically healthy ... a few age-related things like arthritis. But you learn to manage it and cope. And there's always a Tylenol not far away.

I did not notice a difference in aging until I got sick.

Always been healthy and could do anything I wanted to do. Sickness, surgery and now I am almost back to the me I have always been!

I see my neighbors that are in their late 80s and 90s going strong and it is an inspiration.

You shouldn't "expect" to start slowing down until you reach 90 at least! Just expect to keep on keeping on!

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

I'm 58 and 12 years away from retirement. I wouldn't think of retiring before 70 as long as my health is good. I'm more interested in maintaining my mental faculties than I am in anything else and work that requires the learning new and complicated things is the best way to do that. At 58, I have no slowed down at all mentally or cognitively. I would expect that to happen at such a young age. I have as much energy and stamina as I had 10 years ago. Obviously, not as much energy as I had in my 20 or 30's but I can compete with anyone. Having said that, I indeed have some chronic or age related issues. I had a knee replace for the arthritis in my knee, so that took care of my knee pain. I have some neck/shoulder pain now that is age and posture related. I work from home so my physical therpist thinks posture and sitting at my desk for 7 or 8 hours is the cause. I do have some minor arthritis in my neck but it's what one would expect a 60 year old woman to have. So, I'm using heat and doing the exersizes and paying attention to my posture. I have spinal stenosis but that doesn't bother me much at all these days. I think perhaps because with the new knee, I walk normally and put less stress on my back. I get twinge in my lower every now and then. There was a time in my life when "something hurt everyday" but not now. I am not the suffering type, when something hurts I do to doctor and do whatever it takes to remedy the situation. Pain is definitely not a necessary part of aging.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

Well if you liken your body to a car, then I'll say all things wear out. YES, there's the lucky exceptions with great genes and all. But I think the majority of us, are beginning the aging process. We have some new/updated parts. A few of us are like bionics. Teeth, hearing, energy, eyes, that sort of thing...we're lucky enough to live in a country that we can get this help.

It happens. Do what you can to take the best care of you that you can.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

I'm 62 and retired but not by choice. I was forced into an early retirement at the age of 47 because of disability. The last year of work was the most agonizing and painful thing I ever went through. But I had to put in the hours to get a descent retirement check. Now after all these years have passed, I look back and wonder how I ever made it during that last year and how my co-workers coped. I'd like to think that my co-workers were easing me away and were more than willing to support me and pick up for me when I couldn't. I'm am so thankful for them and I really miss working...more than anything.

Scleroderma took away the use of my hands, almost completely. I can't tie shoelaces, button a shirt or thread a needle....'fine motor skills' like that. BUT the good thing is that I can still hold a fork and a knife!