Aging sucks...

[penguinz]

For those of you who have been very physically active how have you handled the depression (is very slight) when you realize your body can no longer do what you want it to do?

[kepp]

I'm 41 and am an avid runner (20 - 30 miles a week). I've been lucky/blessed to not have serious injuries like you have. It definitely does take much longer for me to recover. If I were you, I would try yoga. Increasing your flexibility and strengthening your core can make a HUGE difference. Also, the meditation aspect of some forms of yoga could likely help with depression symptoms.

[luv]

Roller derby is teaching me a few things about that. I used to skate all the time as a kid. I competed in art skating and speed skating. Granted I'm much bigger now than I was then, but I'm finding that falling hurts worse than it used to. I wear knee pads, elbow pads, etc. when playing, but I always seem to land right on my tailbone when I fall. Right when it feels better, I do it again. I live with the pain, but it makes me wonder if my love for the sport is worth the constant pain sometimes. I have a history of back problems, so I tend to be super careful about stuff like that. I'm 36 competing with and against ladies that average being about 5-10 years younger than me.

[kepp]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

No depression for me, it is just the reality of how things are. I often catch myself wondering wtf happened, I was just a kid not too long ago.

Some of the rewards help offset the issues of aging, like knowing I only have one more year to work after 50 years of working for the man. Then it is going to be my time, all the time. Well, when the Mrs. says it's ok it will be.

Probably the most irritating issue is how much more difficult it gets to keep the weight off the older you get. When I was 38 I dropped 20 in a couple months without a problem, in an effort to get my drag race weight down. Now, I have been trying to drop 20 for 6 years now, and it is a losing battle. Walk 3 miles every morning and ride my bicycle to work, not helping. Became a gym rat, and have torn a few muscles, but haven't lost the weight.

I can tell you how to keep your weight down, but you probably won't like it. Eat a plant-based diet...or as close to it as you can tolerate. I cut out red meat, poultry, and dairy. I still eat fish; salmon & sushi. Since I started this, my weight has not fluctuated more than 5 pounds from my target weight.

[Lzen]

I'm 41 and I still hoop with my son (Jr in HS) and his friends. I know I don't have the jumping and quickness and all those athletic abilities I used to have. Not that I was every super athletic or anything but I was pretty damn quick in my heyday and could blow by most people. Still, I am able to compete with those youngsters by playing hard and using my experience and not playing selfishly. Some days are really good and some are bad. Usually it's just somewhere in between.

I have had 3 major ankle sprains over my years of hoops. By major I mean on crutches for days/weeks. Not your normal every day tweak that you walk off for a few minutes and then go back to playing. It is really noticeable the mornings after playing hoops. When I first get out of bed I can barely walk. I have to go slow until my ankles loosen up a bit. Also, I only play every other day, at most.

Also, it's really hard for me to play 2 days in a row. Sometimes the boys want to go to the Y say on a Monday and then again on Tuesday. My body just can't take that kind of abuse. The few times I have tried it I'm pretty much not very good that second day. The old body just needs a day in between to recover, I guess. Of course, part of that is because I could stand to be in better shape.

Another thing I have noticed is that I have a little soreness in my knee lately. I've been lucky to never have had knee problems so I'm just going to ignore it for now.

Then there is the occasional day where I want to hoop but I can't because my back is killing me. My theory is that I need a new mattress because it always seems to be when I wake up in the morning. I don't know if I just slept on it wrong or what but it sucks.

I also like to walk and take the occasional bike ride.

These are the things you deal with when you get older. But none of this should stop you from staying active.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by stevieray

I think of Angelina Jolie having to cut off her bazongas...

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by kepp

I can tell you how to keep your weight down, but you probably won't like it. Eat a plant-based diet...or as close to it as you can tolerate. I cut out red meat, poultry, and dairy. I still eat fish; salmon & sushi. Since I started this, my weight has not fluctuated more than 5 pounds from my target weight.

Thanks!

We are coming to grips with what you are saying, and it is such a huge departure for us. But we do have to do something, or we won't enjoy those retirement years we have been looking forward to.

Portion size is also the problem I am dealing with as well. I was raised to clean my plate, and of course the plate should be full. On my last visit to my cardiologist, he brought up the revelation that "you don't have to feel full all the time." Another huge departure for me.

We have made a lot of progress towards what you are talking about, and have cut red meat down to twice a week. That is huge stretch, as for years and years we had it at least twice a day.

[Mr. Laz]

suddenly just failing apart

eyes went from 20/20 to needing reading glasses
blood pressure is now a concern
memory complete shit
Arthritis this early?


yea, getting old sucks

[tooge]

I don't mind getting old. See, as I get older, I get, for the most part, smarter. I don't dive for balls in the outfield as much, I don't pull a hammy strying to stretch a triple, etc., and I get overly drunk and act like an idiot on only rare occasions. As such, I don't really feel any different.

[MahiMike]

Thanks for the thread. I was gonna start one for fitness over 50.

I've always been extremely active. Get up early on Saturday to do yard work, followed by round of golf, cookout w/beers,etc.

I'm 53 in September and my body just never feels right. I work out every other day. Different than I used to. I do my DailyBurn.com videos for 15 mins per day. But no matter how much I exercise, I never seem to 'catch up'. I'm always sore/stiff.

I'm trying to stay in shape to play golf w/my 15 y/o son. I did have rotator cuff surgery 7 mos ago. That set my whole body back big time. But I can still do 10 chinups, curl 25 lb weights, etc. Just always sore, tired.

Anybody over 50 w/any ideas? Any secret supplements to ease the pain?

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by penguinz

For those of you who have been very physically active how have you handled the depression (is very slight) when you realize your body can no longer do what you want it to do?

Dude, it is ****ing tough. I was super active, gym4x a week, trampoline workouts, and softball 2-3 nights a week. Then, I tore my ACL and miniscus in October, and have been sedentary ever since. I had the surgery almost 3months ago, and Im just beggining to get back to the gym, in a very limited way with supervision. Add to the fact that Im 44, meaning Im no spring chicken anymore. It has been murder on my psyche. Ive gained weight, Im depressed and feeling behind the 8 ball. Some people around me cant even begin to understand why this injury, and age to boot, has been so hard on my mind, not just my body. But it has.

Wat Im doing now, that Im beginnig a workout program to go with PT, is focusing ont he things that made me feel good, like healing foods, juices, Kombucha. Trying to focus on the good things I did for my body before the injury.

So far, not bad. I see the light at the end of the tunnel, although the light is far away. But at least I see it.

[sd4chiefs]

I just turned 60 last month and I have been able to keep in good shape with no health problems. My greatest fear is getting dementia like my Father did.

[Holladay]

Only 38

Knees (have had surgery on one and it is becoming arthritic), achilles (have had one reconstructed and the other is beginning to have the same injury symptoms), two bulging disk in lower back, have separated both AC joints (one is arthritic), tears in both RC's, and arthritic fingers on both hands.

Holy Crap. You are screwed....

[bevischief]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

No depression for me, it is just the reality of how things are. I often catch myself wondering wtf happened, I was just a kid not too long ago.

Some of the rewards help offset the issues of aging, like knowing I only have one more year to work after 50 years of working for the man. Then it is going to be my time, all the time. Well, when the Mrs. says it's ok it will be.

Probably the most irritating issue is how much more difficult it gets to keep the weight off the older you get. When I was 38 I dropped 20 in a couple months without a problem, in an effort to get my drag race weight down. Now, I have been trying to drop 20 for 6 years now, and it is a losing battle. Walk 3 miles every morning and ride my bicycle to work, not helping. Became a gym rat, and have torn a few muscles, but haven't lost the weight.

It's your diet.

[Radar Chief]

I feel your pain. I’m 46, recently bought an upright bass and have been learning to play. When I practice too long I get a touch of tendinitis, in my right arm especially, which weakens my grip for fapping. Getting old sucks.

[Holladay]

Limme guess. Your real name is Earl Campbell?