OT Getting old sucks

I hear you my friend. Weird shit starts happening in your mid 40's and it's not fun. I've thrown my back out getting up out of a chair and sneezing really hard. Getting older isn't for the faint of heart, much like watching the Vikings this year

I threw out mine brushing my teeth once. Another time putting on a seat belt. I eventually realized it wasn't those mundane activities that did it. It was a day of heavy lifting the day before that put my back in a vulnerable position where one simple twist throws everything out of whack. 

If it's any encouragement mine was worse in my 40s than it is now at 61.

MaroonBells wrote:
I threw out mine brushing my teeth once. Another time putting on a seat belt. I eventually realized it wasn't those mundane activities that did it. It was a day of heavy lifting the day before that put my back in a vulnerable position where one simple twist throws everything out of whack. 

If it's any encouragement mine was worse in my 40s than it is now at 61.

That’s what happened here. I lifted more than I should have the day before. But good god the pain lol didn’t hit till the lightbulb. 

Guess I’ll wear a back brace next time I need to lift heavy stuff.

As I've aged I've found it necessary to do  3 things in order to not turn into a bedridden cripple :

 Modify my diet and give up stuff that's bad for me. Eat healthier and mostly give up alcohol.  Reduce carbs and lose weight.

Find a few high quality supplements that can help with certain issues.

Start doing exercises that target aging issues and support generally good health.  

Despite that I'm probably gonna need 2 hip replacements at some point.  It is what it is as they say.

I woke up one morning and found one side of my body felt completely paralyzed. I was told that was because I didn't change positions when I was sleeping.

I'm almost 60 - Had a heart attack in August & docs placed a stent. I honestly thought it was acid reflux, but my family made me go to the doctor, doctor sent me to the ER. 99% blocked in one of my coronary arteries (NOT the widowmaker)

IF any of you THINK it's just GERD, do yourself a favor and get it checked out. I've had better health than I deserve, but yeah - it's starting to catch up to me now. Stopped soda, butter, adding salt & eating salads much more (barf) still, it's nice to still be above ground. Trying to lower my stress levels, and just can't watch the Vikings any more. I get updates on the games, but if I watch my BP will undoubtedly quadruple.

Err on the side of caution friends - be well.

I'm mid 60's and had bladder cancer in remission for 3 years with immunotherapy...F'er reoccured this Spring with a vengeance.

So no choice but to have bladder/prostate and 31 lymph nodes removed this summer...WHAM!

Urology is where you go to save your life and say goodbye to your youth.

Stay on top of your check-ups is all I can say - and dont smoke.

PSA is a good tool even if it ain't perfect. 7 of 10 men will have prostate cancer in their 70's, 8 of 10 in their 80s and if you make it to 90? Well, you'll probably have prostate cancer. 

On top of that I got gifted with a hernia surgery 3 weeks ago. Walking around very gingerly these days.

Somedays are a struggle, but overall I have MUCH gratitude for my care team, family, awesome friends/neighbors and to be alive.

"Old age ain't no place for sissies"
Bette Davis

I’m one of the younger ones here lol.

I wore a back brace today which allowed me to walk. Still scared to lift anything with any degree of weight to it.

Stay healthy my friends

Vanguard83 wrote:
I'm almost 60 - Had a heart attack in August & docs placed a stent.  I honestly thought it was acid reflux, but my family made me go to the doctor, doctor sent me to the ER. 99% blocked in one of my coronary arteries (NOT the widowmaker)

IF any of you THINK it's just GERD, do yourself a favor and get it checked out. I've had better health than I deserve, but yeah - it's starting to catch up to me now. Stopped soda, butter, adding salt & eating salads much more (barf) still, it's nice to still be above ground. Trying to lower my stress levels, and just can't watch the Vikings any more.  I get updates on the games, but if I watch my BP will undoubtedly quadruple.

Err on the side of caution friends - be well.

60 now and had a similar experience 10 years ago, thought it indigestion, was working out at the time and it was not inhibiting my workout, so figured I was fine, the pain wouldn't stop, next morning fortunately an angel was watching over me, had an out of town business meeting canceled, so called doctor to ask about indigestion medications and he said to come in, found out had a heart attack and was in surgery that evening, it was my widowmaker, 3 stents, I was really lucky.  

I was in shock cause I have always been health fanatic, meticulous with my eating and workout regularly.  But have bad family genes, cardiologist scolded me for not being on a heavy statin, even though all my metrics were good with the healthy lifestyle, he said with my family history, I needed to be way under the norm.  The good news is 10 years later doing great, no issues with the meds, my numbers are really low, my cardio workouts are as good as they have ever been and I still push the weights pretty hard, honestly do not feel any different than I did in my 20s, 30s.

Agree with Vanguard, make sure you keep up with your checkups and take the meds if needed.

Thanks for sharing JR - Appreciate you brother

About to be 70 and am following things closely.  I am on a PAAS trial (Physical Activity and Aging Study), it creates a data base of activity and response metrics till you die.  They do a vascular ultrasound panel which identified blockages, >90% and recommended that I follow up with my physician.  I did and was told "it's under control"  after their CAT scans.  I live in a piss poor state for medical care, Iowa, but trust my doctor.  Not sure what to do next, if anything.  Perhaps a new NFL team may help,  SB vs mortality timeline thing.  

Funny how that mortality thing creeps up on you, and it feel's okay.  I went to Menards and got a pack of three roller pan liners, but accidentally got three packs of three.  I returned 2 of the set's and just said, without thinking, that nine liners were more than I would need for the rest of my life.  The young lady looked at me uncomfortably and I told her that it was good because I hate painting.

BigAl99 wrote:
About to be 70 and am following things closely.  I am on a PAAS trial (Physical Activity and Aging Study), it creates a data base of activity and response metrics till you die.  They do a vascular ultrasound panel which identified blockages, >90% and recommended that I follow up with my physician.  I did and was told "it's under control"  after their CAT scans.  I live in a piss poor state for medical care, Iowa, but trust my doctor.  Not sure what to do next, if anything.  Perhaps a new NFL team may help,  SB vs mortality timeline thing.  

Funny how that mortality thing creeps up on you, and it feel's okay.  I went to Menards and got a pack of three roller pan liners, but accidentally got three packs of three.  I returned 2 of the set's and just said, without thinking, that nine liners were more than I would need for the rest of my life.  The young lady looked at me uncomfortably and I told her that it was good because I hate painting.

I too am almost 70 and live in Iowa. Fortunately I am relatively healthy because like you said, Iowa's health care is definitely lacking.

purplefaithful wrote:
I'm mid 60's and had bladder cancer in remission for 3 years with immunotherapy...F'er reoccured this Spring with a vengeance.

So no choice but to have bladder/prostate and 31 lymph nodes removed this summer...WHAM!

Urology is where you go to save your life and say goodbye to your youth.

Stay on top of your check-ups is all I can say - and dont smoke. PSA is a good tool even if it ain't perfect. 7 of 10 men will have prostate cancer in their 70's, 8 of 10 in their 80s and if you make it to 90? Well, you'll probably have prostate cancer. 

On top of that I got gifted with a hernia surgery 3 weeks ago. Walking around very gingerly these days.

Somedays are a struggle, but overall I have MUCH gratitude for my care team, family, awesome friends/neighbors and to be alive.

"Old age ain't no place for sissies"
Bette Davis

 Cancer sucks worse thank all old age stuff put together.  Glad you are still here and keeping up the fight.

I love pulling a muscle trying to put on a sock or as MB said, reaching for the seatbelt.  I still work on the property, move trees and all that, but that weird little bend or twist can get me.

I love your urology quote.  Minor surgery with that guy recently.  Recovery sucks.  

Weird side note, the nurses at the surgery center sent a "hope you have a speedy recovery" card.  That was a bit strange considering the surgery.  Felt a bit too personal.

Looks like I am the senior member here, so respect your elders.
I turned 70 this year and frankly am in better shape than I was 10-15 years ago.
I worked at dropping a bit of weight about 2-3 years ago...dropped a pants size and got my balance back.
Regular gym workouts 4-5 mornings a week. Helps me sleep better and I can stack hay bales better today than 30 years ago (not that I want to).
Firewood seemed easier this year...about five FULL cords cut, split and stacked, ready for a Montana winter.

Something that motivates me...I've seen two different studies now that prove that weight/resistance training has an impact on extending life span. One of the studies was by a cardiologist that assumed that it was good diet and genetics. A study of 10,000 ppl proved him very wrong.

So yeah, a body in motion stays in motion. Don't stop, don't sit.

And while you're up, would you get me a beer?

Montana Tom wrote:
Looks like I am the senior member here, so respect your elders. I turned 70 this year and frankly am in better shape than I was 10-15 years ago. I worked at dropping a bit of weight about 2-3 years ago...dropped a pants size and got my balance back. Regular gym workouts 4-5 mornings a week.  Helps me sleep better and I can stack hay bales better today than 30 years ago (not that I want to). Firewood seemed easier this year...about five FULL cords cut, split and stacked, ready for a Montana winter.

Something that motivates me...I've seen two different studies now that prove that weight/resistance training has an impact on extending life span.  One of the studies was by a cardiologist that assumed that it was good diet and genetics.  A study of 10,000 ppl proved him very wrong.

So yeah, a body in motion stays in motion.  Don't stop, don't sit. 

And while you're up, would you get me a beer?

That's good advice from a young whipper snapper like you! Just turned 74, 10 days ago.
Regular moderate exercise along with weight control is the path to a healthy life.
There is no doubt about the role of genetics in certain illnesses.
At my age a number of body parts don't function like they used to. I admit I am a bit over weight and don't exercise as much as I should. But I do exercise.  I do also cut and split firewood, using a hydraulic splitter, and will continue as long as I am able.
Don't stop, don't sit is about the best advice there is.

hogjowlsjohnny wrote:
That's good advice from a young whipper snapper like you! Just turned 74, 10 days ago. Regular moderate exercise along with weight control is the path to a healthy life. There is no doubt about the role of genetics in certain illnesses. At my age a number of body parts don't function like they used to. I admit I am a bit over weight and don't exercise as much as I should. But I do exercise.  I do also cut and split firewood, using a hydraulic splitter, and will continue as long as I am able. Don't stop, don't sit is about the best advice there is.

You make me sound like a kid...LOL.
They say "making wood" warms you twice...once when you cut/split/stack it and once when you burn it.
No double entendre jokes about "making wood" among us older guys...I'm still good at putting a smile on the face of the trophy wife.

Our ground is white here on Thanksgiving Day (only a couple inches...no big deal), but the wood stove sure feels nice, doesn't it?

StickierBuns wrote:

Weight training is important, you need to be durable out in the big world. My thing is I need to dial back the bigger weights, do more reps/lighter weights. The major thing is being stronger from the waist down, leg strength. Its the #1 issue with older guys: top heavy, no leg power, etc. that's when you start to fall or trip more often. Squats are great for this. Try not to sit around too often. Strengthen your core. You can even carry some weight on you if you're strong underneath. Its important to get that heart rate up and sweat a little. Take glucosamine and fish oils for your joints. A baby aspirin daily. Stretching is also a must.

Stacking hay bales is probably one of the best core exercises I can think of. Incorporates the whole body basically. Good for you Tom doing that at 70.

This has been my theory as well...more reps, lighter weights.  Still enough to feel the burn though.

Got my Old Farts season ski pass for The Big Mountain here...I'm finally old enough to qualify...planning on skiing plenty of part-days this winter.  I'm about 25 minutes from the lifts.   Very few exhilarations in life like being up in an alpine environment with fresh, pure mountain air.  And its darn good for leg exercise, too.

Montana Tom wrote:
Looks like I am the senior member here, so respect your elders. I turned 70 this year and frankly am in better shape than I was 10-15 years ago. I worked at dropping a bit of weight about 2-3 years ago...dropped a pants size and got my balance back. Regular gym workouts 4-5 mornings a week.  Helps me sleep better and I can stack hay bales better today than 30 years ago (not that I want to). Firewood seemed easier this year...about five FULL cords cut, split and stacked, ready for a Montana winter.

Something that motivates me...I've seen two different studies now that prove that weight/resistance training has an impact on extending life span.  One of the studies was by a cardiologist that assumed that it was good diet and genetics.  A study of 10,000 ppl proved him very wrong.

So yeah, a body in motion stays in motion.  Don't stop, don't sit. 

And while you're up, would you get me a beer?

On weight resistance. Can I do it by doing farm work or does it have to be consistent in a gym?  

I’ve got a hard time doing “work” that doesn’t accomplish anything. 

Need to lose some weight and get back to running. Wife and I were the XC coaches for our kids team but we quit this year. All the extra time went into a rental house instead of staying healthy.

AGRforever wrote:

On weight resistance. Can I do it by doing farm work or does it have to be consistent in a gym?  

I’ve got a hard time doing “work” that doesn’t accomplish anything. 

Need to lose some weight and get back to running. Wife and I were the XC coaches for our kids team but we quit this year. All the extra time went into a rental house instead of staying healthy.

My theory is that if I spend a couple hours splitting and stacking wood...not going to the gym that day.
But if I'm going to be desk-bound in the office, yeah, it's a day for the gym.
In anyone's book, farm work (which I am intimately familiar with) counts.

Somehow we found ourselves playing beach volleyball at 1 am last night with a smattering of locals and the nicest couple I've ever met from Macedonia. Also somehow did something to my knee where I think my ACL might be located. Yes, getting old sucks.