I'm falling apart

[tulip]

As I said, it's a soapbox. You have to let me have my say when I'm on it.

I am 42. I just can't hold my liquor like I used to...

[tulip]

BTW, in response to what Oakleaf said...I want to live until I die. None of this in-between stuff.

[staceysue]

I have a severe aging phobia. It's getting better now, but I used to get chest pain and hyperventilate every time I thought about it. I thought I was going to shrivel up and lose all my teeth when I turned 40, but it didn't happen!

My husband is 18 years older than me, and seeing how well he does helps me a lot. I keep thinking "if I'm that energetic in 18 years, it really won't be so bad." He's, like, my point man. Every thing I go through, he will have already been through. Silly, huh?

I'm in better shape now than I ever have been, though. It helps that I was never athletic when I was younger. I'm achieving things at 40 that I never dreamed of achieving when I was 30. I keep hoping that, by not being athletic then, I saved all the wear and tear on my joints and saved them up to use later . . . . ya think?

Also, stories like that one about the 84-yr-old lady who still makes a 150-mile bike ride every year on a 1-speed bike in heels and a skirt help. I need all the "inspirational old lady" stories I can get.

[Crankin]

I have some "real" medical things, but I am in better shape than most other 56 year olds. Since I have been active since I was 25, I can't say that I am in better shape than I was then, but in a way, I think I am. Back then, I was a gym rat, and that lasted until I was in my mid forties. I was so sick of that, that I had a kind of "lapse" in my fitness/health when I was 45 and I certainly was on my way to being fat, forties and unhappy/unhealthy. Now, I am outdoors doing my sports most of the time, even in the winter. My lifestyle has changed in that instead of getting up at 5 to go to the gym, so it doesn't interfere with the rest of my life, being active IS the rest of my life.
I am not as fast as I was on the bike 2 years ago; on the other hand, I am still on the bike, and in the end, who cares if my average is 16 or 15? I started running this year, too, which is not easy for me, but it's sure a hell of a lot easier than it would have been for me ten years ago.
My dad is 85 and still active in the sense that he works 3 mornings a week and has a social life that rivals most. He's never been into physical activity (my mom was the athletic one), but I only hope I can be like him; out in the world and mentally engaged at his age. My other role models are the members of my cycling group. Some are 70 and participate in endurance stuff that put me to shame. Some of them have battled serious medical stuff and they always get back on track, because it's part of their lifestyle.

[OakLeaf]

True that.

One of my riding buddies is 76 years old.

The other day, at the tail end of a ride, he ran over a leaf-covered stick that wedged itself between his front tire and fender, and did a face-plant in the asphalt. I wasn't there, but I hear the blood was impressive.

Two days later he was out riding with us, busted lip, scraped nose, bruises and all. Dude's hardcore.

[indigoiis]

My commuting partner is 62 and she kicks my butt, averaging 18/19 most mornings. I'm 42. I want to be like her when I grow up.

I know a bunch of women my age who are on all kinds of crap for all kinds of ailments.

I just don't want to be that woman. I accept the inevitable and watch my body age, but I know it is capable of great things.

[katluvr]

[QUOTE

I am 42. I just can't hold my liquor like I used to...[/QUOTE]

yeah, that sucks!

I, too, am in "better shape" than my "younger days". I have a hard time dealing with the "NUMBER" (age). I, do, feel like I have more aches and pains. I am also having a LOT of lower back pain. I think alot is related to my very tight hamstrings and yes I need to work on core. I suspect I will encouter more and more of these aches I did not have before. I think that goes with aging. But just think if we did not try and be active like we are. And it is a mind set. (IMO).

My Womans Tour in Moab this past Oct. About 1/2 of us were in the 40-early 50 range. Various shapes and sizes. The other 1/2 were all in there 70's. And they road the same darn hills I did...maybe a bit slower. But they did it. (not sure where I am going here).

I, agree, it is the "recovery" that is tougher and just a few other things I have to deal with. But I will not let it stop me from moving.
I also agree with other posts, look for a medical professional that will work WITH you and not just blame it on age or tell you to stop what you love.
Good luck and hope everyone here fells great today.
(I myself am very sore--very tight--too many lunges with personal trainer yesterday AM. Now when I get out of my office chair I really do walk like an old OLD lady!)
K

[Zen]

Crankin, I suspect that you and I are rowing very similar boats.

[Crankin]

Well, my DH and I call ourselves "showboats." Look really good on the outside, but kinda ****** up on the inside. I only put myself in that category because of the osteoporosis. Most of my other stuff is common (allergies, asthma) or degenerative stuff from years of pounding my body, like in high impact aerobics on concrete floors. I had a sensitive stomach and weird muscle stuff in my twenties; it's not a function of age. DH on the other hand, has 2 stents and a CV family history from hell. He doesn't let it bother him and he still can out ride most other guys, except really elite ones. But, he has slowed down, both physically and in his attitude. You wouldn't know it, if you didn't know him, but he has.
I dislike it intensely when people say, "Aging isn't for sissies." My aunt constantly says this. Well, she wouldn't have half the physical issues she has if she lived a better life style and wasn't an angry person. Plenty of people have worse medical stuff than me and are out there doing marathons, tri's, etc.

[MomOnBike]

I'm starting to have some real medical issues, too. The embolism was a problem, the meniscus tear slowed me down dramatically.

The real issue I'm having is that those two problems, plus the bones I broke as a kid that are starting to hurt just for fun, plus the arthritis in the thumbs is starting to make me feel fragile. I really don't like that feeling. Most of the time I can talk myself out of that feeling, but not always. Bleh.

[spindizzy]

2 years ago my GP (after looking at MRI of R Knee) says "Your running days are over." I am running still, stronger than ever. Good GP for general things - not good for sports! Thank goodness for PT husband.

Today, at work (I work in a hospital) an intern (in her 20's) comes up to me and says "I want a butt like yours!" I'm in my early 50's - now that's a compliment! It totally made my day.

Age is a number - there are so many fantastic role models of older, active, engaging individuals. How could I not want to be like that?

[Bike Chick]

My mother is 73 with a whole page of health problems and a pill to "fix" every one of them. Most of her ailments could have been prevented and her overall general health would improve with proper diet and exercise. My husband and I have given up trying to get her off the couch and just take a walk down the block. She has an excuse for everything and it's pointless. She's not going to change but it is difficult for me to sit back and watch her deteriorate the way she has. We bike and run with people older than her that are the picture of health.

To add to this, she is constantly telling my husband he's too thin and he doesn't look well (he's training for a marathon) or that I shouldn't be out on a bike on the highway at my age (whatever that means) and takes it personal if we won't eat a huge piece of her cake. Mom is an example of what happens to you if you don't stay active and take care of yourself. She's my motivation to stay at it--I have the same genes.

The irony in my family is that my brother was the athletic one when we were younger. I'm 3 years older than him and he has high blood pressure and high cholesterol and won't watch his diet or exercise and I'm the one that is in decent shape. It's frustrating watching people you love ignore the obvious and not do anything to change their situation.

[Sadie]

I'm 60. I saw my dad, who has since passed away, with the stapled chest after bypass surgery, and I thought "whatever it takes, that's not going to happen to me". I ride, run, and workout with much younger people and can't quite keep up at times, but I'm still out there doing the best I can. Thanks for all the great posts about these feelings.

[PamNY]

[soapbox]

I don't buy that wholesale. This is not about the OP now, but about aging in general. I think alot of people (no one here, mind you) stop taking proper care of themselves through diet and exercise, experience pains and aches and such, and blame it on "getting old." In fact, they are getting fat and lazy and not taking care of themselves!

My mother is approaching 70. She does yoga and rides her bike and keeps lean. She takes no meds (well, I take that back, she takes lithium--and thank goodness for that!), and has no "aches and pains." Friggin almost 70!!

Have I experienced aches and pains? Absolutely. A few years ago I developed very bad back problems--ack, it's because I'm getting old! My doctor wanted to give me pain relievers. I said no way, take me to the source so I can fix the problem that started this. I did that, and yes I have to pay special attention to my back and keep my weight down and pay particular attention to my core strength. But I'm not taking any meds and my back is much better...as is the rest of me because I'm taking care of the whole thing. A friend of mine, on the other hand, just takes the pills, gains weight, and complains about both the pain and her weight, says she's getting old! Go figure.

Take the best care of yourself as possible. Yes, of course, some people will have medical issues that are beyond their control and that have to be addressed and that's fine. But don't wither away in a pity party of aging!

Thank you.

[/soapbox]

Tulip, I agree with you completely. I am 59, by the way.

To the OP, my sympathies -- having a lot of stuff go wrong at once is awful, but it can happen at any age. I would encourage you to avoid anticipating problems related to menopause; everything I've ever heard was a total crock.

Pam

[Zen]

I will say this much. Five years ago one of my doctors told me i had reached the five year survivor mark. I was stunned. I never considered dying, the thought had never crossed my mind. I only considered doing what I had to do and moving on.
So I deal with it and do what I can and no,it doesn't get any easier as I get older.