67 here can't run and gun like I used to but I'm still deadly. I go into Baltimore City 5 days a week, can still hold my own. Still shoot at least once a week to stay sharp. Getting older is not so bad just a little slower. I have out lived most of my friends from days past. Merry Christmas to all, Chris

As old as my tongue, and a little bit older than my teeth. Been a good ride, no unexpected dismounts, the right amount of scenery and company and quiet, and occasionally a nice gallop. Boots and Saddles, bugler....

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
I'm 32, and frankly terrified of 33,34,35....

I just turned 36, and feel the same about 37,38,39,40....

I feel like, I've wasted so much of my life doing nothing important. Successful, yes, important, no.

When I was 25 I went to the DR and asked why I felt sore when I woke up, He said your 25, Its down hill from now on,He was RIGHT!
When I reached 60 I marveled at how good I felt and how I could still hold my own physically, then the bottom started to drop out.
Had rotator cuff surgery, that lasted a few years then re-tore, in the meantime the other shoulder tore,I decided to let them be. Then my knees started to be effected with arthritis, now at 67 I can't go up or down stairs with out holding on to something, I need both knees replaced.
I often think when I get out of bed that If I were 6years old I would be crying constantly from the normal pain I have, but now just except it.
Every time I hear somebody go on about how GREAT it is to be old I would like to beat them to death, if only I could raise my arms, and they would stand still.

52, and have lived a life that seems at times 500 years worth of pain in all forms, yet I never let a day pass that I don't truly feel grateful, and mean it. Exercise/keeping a good weight/eating healthful food in moderation I find absolutely paramount, and of equal value keeping my mind sharp, never extinguishing the thrill of learning about everything/wonder of this world, and keeping an open mind so new ideas can enter to be considered.

I also find my lifelong adherence to stoicism, only grows stronger with age, and if you have not delved much into the subject, might I suggest you do. I find it puts into great perspective exactly the topic at hand, reduces the mental stress of aging, and provides good training with how to deal well, with about anything life can throw at you. Good luck to us all.

quote:

Originally posted by armored:
Had rotator cuff surgery, that lasted a few years then re-tore, in the meantime the other shoulder tore,I decided to let them be. Then my knees started to be effected with arthritis, now at 67 I can't go up or down stairs with out holding on to something, I need both knees replaced.

Did you have overuse or traumatic injuries from your younger years that led to the shoulder and knee problems?

Closing in on 73 very quickly, and I agree that fitness is the key to remaining as content as reasonably possible with getting older. I can’t do anything about the arthritis in my hands, but by walking or swimming regularly I can make it up six flights of stairs without looking for an elevator. What I’ve really discovered is that it’s either keep it up or lose it quickly. About a year ago I decided to try to get some of my upper body strength back with pushups. I was making noticeable progress over the course of a few months, but then let it slide. Now I’m back to square one, but I’ve started over.

I do, however, also fully recognize that I’ve been very lucky to have (thus far) avoided mishaps and diseases that could have changed my life entirely. But that wasn’t only fate; I took up skiing at age 50, but after about a decade decided that the fun wasn’t worth the risk I was running of an injury that could affect the rest of my years or days. So I quit.

The other key to my satisfaction with life now is the belief that I’m not just marking time until the end. I work part time at something I believe is very important, I’m writing a book that will either get published or won’t (don’t care), and when I’m not doing those things I keep active with regular firearms training or even reading rather than letting someone else’s idea of entertainment turn my brain to mush. Closely allied to all that is acceptance of where I am and what I’ve done. I accept that when it’s over, it’s over and therefore have no great goals—or disappointments—hanging over me.

I fractured my spine in an automobile accident when I was 17. Doctors told me I'd have arthritis and rheumatism by the time I was 25. Given my lifestyle, I never thought I'd reach 30.

I turned 67 earlier this year. Up until 2008, my back gave me no problems. I ran marathons (9) and other distance runs through 2011, when my back and knee started acting up.

Today, I don't run, but physical therapy and chiropractic have worked wonders. I work a full-time job, mostly desk work, and a part-time job in a running store (!). In fact, I just got back from a two mile walk, looking at all the Christmas decorations.

My hair and beard have grayed, but I still stand straight and tall at 5' 10'' and 145 lbs. I take no medications, only vitamins. I believe staying active is the key to good health. "If you have a limber body, you'll have a limber mind," a workout trainer once told me.

The biggest problem I have is women. At my age, the field for attractive, single women is limited. So my social life is limited, which may or may not be a blessing. ;-) You know why women live longer than men? They don't have to marry women!

I do think about dying sometimes. I'm not afraid of dying, as I'm a church-going Christian, but I worry about the way I'm going to die. I don't want to be old, crapping the bed, and being a burden on my children.

At age 52, I had and beat cancer. Looking back, had I not had cancer, I would have continued on with excessive smoking and drinking, until I probably would have developed cancer. Just later.

At age 66, I think all the chemo/radiation back then, had a later effect on me in the form of vascular problems. I try to stay active, have good days, bad days. I have noticed in the past 6 months, a change in my alertness and agility.
Most noticable in the winter.

I do like to sleep later now.

I'm 65 and feeling the years of manual labor, 20 years of Judo being thrown and mat work. I need a new knee, have a disc or two bulging and walking can be a chore. I've lost 40 pounds since last May due to a new eating life style and will loose at least another 40 pounds. Life went by quick. I still cut my own firewood, and rather do the heavy work on my own without asking for help. My mind says I'm 30 or so but my body is asking that I let up a little. 3 doctors this past week, all were happy. Two were the usual 6 month visits and one was for a colonoscopy. 12 years since my last one and it was pushing it since I had polyps last time and this time they found 2 more which the doctor didn't think were cancerous but still went with a biopsy. Hopefully their nothing. I did a lot of thinking about the past, and what the future will be. I'm not going to slow down yet. There are too many things I still want to do.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:

quote:

Originally posted by armored:
Had rotator cuff surgery, that lasted a few years then re-tore, in the meantime the other shoulder tore,I decided to let them be. Then my knees started to be effected with arthritis, now at 67 I can't go up or down stairs with out holding on to something, I need both knees replaced.

Did you have overuse or traumatic injuries from your younger years that led to the shoulder and knee problems?

I never "babied" my body but also never sustained any obvious injury's that would pop up later in life,THAT I KNEW OF.

Closer to 50 than 40 now. I am starting to take my health more seriously. Seeing the doctor for check ups, not missing my 6 month dentist appointment, joined a gym. My body assessment at the gym was encouraging: body fat barely higher than it should be, muscle mass way above average. My cardio sucks, though.
I have a hot young wife and a young son so I can't squander the good health I have only by good genetics and the grace of god.

I have to stick around for a while longer. Time to get to work on it.

Bruce

I'll get back to you in a couple of weeks, when I turn 82.

I’m fine with aging and I’m fine with dying. It’s just recognizing the milestones as they come.

I just came from a family Christmas gathering held at my niece’s house. She had her husband and two kids, her brother and sister. They had their spouses and children. A couple of the children had their boyfriend and girlfriend, college and high school. And then their mother who is my sister along with the mother of one of the spouses.

The milestone for me was I got substantial gift cards! As opposed to getting token gifts.

Othe milestones I passed were seeing friends at their birthdays, then seeing them at their weddings, then their children’s birthdays. Now, it’s seeing friends at their parents ‘ funerals. We haven’t started going to each other’s funerals yet except for one freeway accident and a couple of cancers, all fairly young.

Too much to type my story, but I'll be 62 in May. Hips replaced in '07 and '08 and the Doc told me to quit being a plumber.

What else was I supposed to do? Now I work day to day, some better than others, pain meds waiting at home if needed.

Arthritis is my biggest enemy, cost me my hips, now it's a guessing game how long my knees and shoulders will last. I love my job, not so much the other way around. The job will put me down, but I WILL go down fighting.

Timely thread. Got a call today from my brother informing me my father had fallen down the stairs. My father is going on 83, was set to retire the first of the year after 56 years as a veterinarian, and quite fit for his age, but still 83 is 83. Turns out the steps he fell down were outside and brick, an entire nasty flight of 14. He dislocated his shoulder, separated his clavicle, cracked two ribs, slightly punctured a lung, smacked his head, with bruises and contusions everywhere. Oh, and we discovered a fractured vertebrae probably from a fall last month. We are very lucky he isn't more seriously injured, though he might be staring at surgery, rehab, etc. My mother is in no shape to provide any real assistance, neither capable, nor fit she is hampered by increasing memory issues and poor mobility.

My point here fellas is to stay ahead of these issues. My father was reluctant to deal with my mom's issues or selling his current house because he didn't anticipate his incapacity, now we're in the soup, at least for the time being. He's been very stubborn, and is paying for it.

Soon to be 66 retired 4 years ago and happier/more content than ever. Had a customer that was 3rd in the nation in the 10K run in the 80 and over age group. The shooter that got 1st in stock rifle class in the club last year is 86. If you have a business, a household or children there is always plenty to do.
Frank Williams of Williams F1 was paralyzed in an auto wreck. The reporters asked him how he felt. "So I'm in a wheelchair tough shit" was his reply.

Slowly, I’m ate up with joint pain and have a physical job. Pisses me off knowing that I used to man handle jobs that I simply don’t attempt any longer.

It's highly overrated.

A few weeks away from 40. Not looking forward to it. Doesn’t seem like I have much to show for it.