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| Member |
I'm 52 years old and in good health other than taking simvastatin. Not planning to check out anytime soon. Of course, one never knows as my dad found out with a stroke at 60 (He lived in a wheelchair for the next 12 years). Thus, my question to those of you who have been here: Was there anything you are particularly glad to have accomplished in your 50s that would be harder to do now? On the flip side, are there things you wish you had done in your 50s, but no longer can? Could be work related, financial, travel, health, whatever. For purposes of this discussion, I'm talking about things specifically in your fifties +- a few years, not wishing you had become a fighter pilot back when you were 22. Thanks!  | ||
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| Freethinker |
I first started (downhill) skiing right after my 50th birthday 21+ years ago and continued regularly and frequently. After about 10 years, though, I decided that the risk of an injury that would have been a major inconvenience was too great to justify continuing and I just stopped. I could take up skiing again even now, but that’s very unlikely. On the other hand, I am doing things these days I didn’t do in my 50s; I just wish I had my 30s body to do them better and more easily. ► 6.4/93.6 “ Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-imposed nonage. Nonage is the inability to use one’s own understanding without another’s guidance. This nonage is self-imposed if its cause lies not in lack of understanding but in indecision and lack of courage to use one’s own mind without another’s guidance.” — Immanuel Kant | |||
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| Never miss an opportunity to STFU |
When I was under 40 I used to do some very strenuous hikes and hunting forays. Most of the time with my brother or by myself as no one else wanted to push themselves that far out of their comfort zone. We’re talking about hunting trips in the Rocky Mts and Amazon basin and hiking through our SW deserts. Now that I’m 66, I still have the desire to go, but my stamina and endurance ain’t what it used to be, even with regular workouts at the gym. There are some things I have left undone, and probably will never attempt, but I sure had a good time when I could. Start on your bucket list right NOW. Every vacation, cross another one off the list. Don’t spend your later days regretting not doing something because it was inconvenient or possibly uncomfortable or expensive. Include your children when you can. My best memories of my brother and other folks gone to their reward is the time we spent together out in God’s creation. Next week I’m driving down south for a boar hunt, then to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for deer season. Never be more than one step away from your sword-Old Greek Wisdom | |||
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| Conveniently located directly above the center of the Earth  |
not quite answer to your inquiry but best I can manage: At 72 still able to do physically maybe even more than 20 years ago as I'm in basically better health condition albeit more 'geezer-like' in my choices & speed of action; I put a lotta stuff off intending to enjoy leisurely 'later'.... now after retirement there's a lotta that stuff I really have incredibly less interest in than 20 years ago... Typically the males in my clan do pretty well into their mid-80s & then slowly dwindle away. I'm planning on that famed quote about sliding into the ditch sideways waving my hat and yelling 'what a ride'. That doesn't include zip-line or parachuting type events though. Just shot a speed steel match today with best score in maybe 10 years. **************~~~~~~~~~~ "I've been on this rock too long to bother with these liars any more." ~SIGforum advisor~ "When the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change, then change will come."~~sigmonkey | |||
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| Too old to run, too mean to quit! |
I spent 15 glorious days running the Grand Canyon in my early/mid 50s. Would love to do it again, but not sure I could do the rowing of that 12 foot raft through some of those rapids. Elk There has never been an occasion where a people gave up their weapons in the interest of peace that didn't end in their massacre. (Louis L'Amour) "To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical. " -Thomas Jefferson "America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." Alexis de Tocqueville FBHO!!! The Idaho Elk Hunter | |||
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Optimistic Cynic |
I'm 68, and can't give you advice on specific activities, etc. What I can say is, "whatever interests you, explore it now. It isn't likely to get any easier." Good for signewt, but his situation isn't usual. | |||
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| Loved those Texas one room schools |
I was able to retire at 55 with a good pension. I tried various occupations after that - delivering trucks for U-Haul, driver training, Radio Shack sales, etc. I retired for good at about age 60. I then started investing modest amounts in various stocks. This was fun and our portfolio kept growing. We use Computershare for tracking our investments. We are very conservative with our investments. These include companies such as Altria Group, AT&T, Chevron, Cisco Systems, Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, etc. We don't touch anything that doesn't pay a dividend. McDonalds has been good for us, as have been Pepsico, Phillip Morris, and others. We try not to make speculative purchases. Have fun and enjoy life _________________________ "Louis was furious with the sharks. He thought they had an understanding: The men would stay out of the sharks' turf - the water - and the sharks would stay off theirs - the raft...If the sharks were going to try to eat him, he was going to try to eat them." From Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand | |||
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| Member |
Was in my 50s when I moved to the Yoop. It enabled me to explore history and the beautiful area. In my early 60s now and still enjoy it, but at a slightly slower pace. As you age, move it or lose it! End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles | |||
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Legalize the Constitution |
If you can afford it, get something that's fun to drive now instead of after retirement. I don't think I could have, kids in college and all, but you don't have to spend $70k for a car to be enjoyable to drive and own. _______________________________________________________ despite them | |||
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| The Constable |
I was an avid big game hunter when I was in my 40's and fifties. Happy I did my two African trips at 50 as I doubt I could do them...as happily today. I'd be in too much pain. I'm happy I did a lot of the hunts I did THEN, as now would be too tough. TMats hit on another one...I've always been a "car guy", but usually couldn't rationalize a car as well as bikes, big game hunts, travel, etc. Bought a new 2017 Camaro SS almost a year ago. Been absolutely LOVING it. | |||
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| Member |
I'm 70 and in excellent health except I have what the Doctor calls an "Intention Tremor". What this means is the harder I concentrate on holding my hand steady the more it shakes. What this means is I am a bad shot, and no matter how nice the gun...I'm still a bad shot. It's the bane of my life. Things could be worse. Shoot more now, you may lose the ability to shoot well later on. ____ I'm filled with gratitude for the blessings I've received. | |||
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| Member |
In my mid-50's I took a couple of tours of parts of Europe with my son in law. We got group rates thru his employer (he's a teacher) if we did certain things. The best part was we walked 12 to 15 miles a day, and I felt I had to keep up with the 18 to 21 year olds. I had fantastic visits, learn a whole lot, made some friends, mentored a couple of kids with crappy parents, and greatly benefited from the experience. (Got to save a life, too, but that's another tale.) Now at 60, I have COPD and the arthritis is worse, and I know I could never keep up. I'm REALLY glad I went when I did. I can go back, but it won't be the same. | |||
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| Member |
In late 2005, several months after undergoing a triple bypass, I traded my BMW motorcycle for a fully loaded option '06 Gold Wing. I had just turned 66 years of age. I then began to cross country tour the lower 48 on the GW for the next 8 years. Traded the GW for a Harley, then two years later traded for another BMW. I ride shorter distance now, but I ride each week, sometimes daily as I have no car. IMO, if your retired and financially able, tour the country - by car, truck, camper or motorcycle. There is so much to see in America. ********* "Some people are alive today because it's against the law to kill them". | |||
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Happily Retired |
I'm 70. There is nothing I wish I would have done in my 50's that I cannot do now. However, I simply cannot do as much now as I could back then. I pace myself more and take more breaks now, but The job will still get done...it just takes me longer. .....never marry a woman who is mean to your waitress. | |||
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Yokel |
Do all the physical things you enjoy to do now while you can. I am 61 and an ex-smoker. Lived thru Lung Cancer going on 7 and half years. Lungs are shot. Got bad knees from work and a bad back. I will be happy if I can drive to a few lake and streams to fish when I retire in a couple of years. I used to hike in to lakes to fish. Don’t think I will be doing much of that. I am very thankful I am still alive and approach each day with a thanks God for today. Beware the man who only has one gun. He probably knows how to use it! - John Steinbeck | |||
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If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts |
At 70+ I know that I am in better shape than I was in my mid to late 50s as I was working over 70 hrs a week to build my pension for retirement. Planed my retirement for age 62 and at 61 went on long term sick leave to have two needed major surgeries. I had 90% blockage in right leg and 70% blockage in left leg along with blockage in circulation to my kidneys. The old roto-rooter would no open any of the blockages so they cut sections of the out the aorta and femoral and repaired the arteries. Was in pain walking, standing, etc with all the blockages for about 10 years. When I was pretty much healed up from the above I had spinal surgery---discs fused and pieces removed and replacements from a cadaver added. No more back, neck, and shoulder pain. Both procedures were successes and after retirement I was able go to the gym daily to swim, lift weights, and work on my cardo. I have been told by my all three of doctors that I am better shape now than I was at 55 when I first started seeing them. I am able to do anything I want, I move slower and I'm more careful as old bones heal slowly. | |||
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| If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts |
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| Member |
I will be 82 soon. Worked at the SO until I retired at 67 because of my wife’s poor health. Still miss it. Try to maintain my own health after getting a pace maker this spring. Don’t get out too much as I am my wife’s care giver. When I can love to go to the range. Try to eat healthy and watch my weight. Lost 40 lbs on Doc’s suggestion. Officers lives matter! | |||
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Member |
I will be 76 in December and I honestly can't think of anything that I "wish I had done before I got old". I have been extremely active most of my life although I was never an exercise person. Have never set foot in a gym. I can still do everything I could do at 50, just not as fast or as long. I think a lot of folks decide they are "getting older and need to slow down". In my opinion, that is the worst thing you can do. That doesn't mean you need to be stupid, but it does mean that if you become a couch potato you will find that you will quickly lose your ability to do those things that you used to enjoy. Rode motorcycles from age 15. Bought a new Harley at 60 (took it to Sturgis, SD twice). Sold it at 70 after some major surgery made me more cautious of my ability to handle a big machine ("Don't be stupid!") Work in my shop 2-3 hours most every day. I shoot 3-4 days a week. Rifle not so much 'cause I don't see as well. Handgun is ok if I don't try to shoot fast at different targets, more shotgun now. Learn to live with the health issues that pop up, but don't ever quit doing what you like because you're too old. Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming…......WOW! WHAT A RIDE! | |||
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Member |
When I was 50 I was pretty young. We did a lot of stuff that I just couldn't have afforded earlier. At 60 I moved out of NJ to Utah, should have done it years earlier, no real regret, though. Life changed in UT. No more commuting, now working from home. Not a boat owner and fishing, instead hiking and exploring. Life changes quickly, though. Five years ago we had a very bad accident, it has slowed us down. Don't make plans for the future, do it now, you never know! _  _______________________________"Nature scares me" a quote by my friend Bob after a rough day at sea. | |||
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