Aging

[Trek420]

As Biciclista noted, it is getting harder and harder to maintain friendships with those who "can't." If I share a common interest with them, anything it's easier, but I am losing tolerance for people who are my age (mid fifties) and have given up.

+1. At 54 and climbing it's hard to fathom not taking care of ones health.

I had the day off today to go to the funeral of the 19 y.o. son of a friend. (one of two kids killed in a crash ). Many of my peers/coworkers were there. As we left T & E asked for a ride to BART. I'd driven, said fine.

Less than a half a block T said "I won't make it to the car". And it's a good thing she waited for me to jog to the car because I'd mistaken where I parked and had to go around 6 blocks.

It's not being carded, looking better, that's all good but I want to be able to do what I want to do for as long as I want to do it and enjoy life as long as possible. Sure if disability or injury was the case that's different but I see no reason I can't run to find my car at 54, 64 ..... etc.

Forgetting which street I parked, that's another thread

[azfiddle]

I've been overweight most of my life, even when I was active in high school and in my 20's. I started getting gray hair at 21, and started coloring it before 35... and I've never had a flat tummy. I'm 53 now, and see a lot of changes in my face when I look in the mirror... I've never really felt "my age" though- and Ive always had lots of interests outside of work and family that kept my mind growing.

But since I got started cycling last summer- I feel years younger! Not just physically thinner, stronger and healthier, (I've lost almost all my excess pounds over the last year), but also when I get on the bike I feel very free and happy. So although I'm sure I'll be slowing down and facing new challenges over the next decade or two, for the moment, I feel as though I've turned back the clock.

[michelem]

Wow! What great responses! I'm going to need some time to really read them all again and digest them thoroughly. Thanks so much for sharing. I love this community.

[Bike Chick]

It's not being carded, looking better, that's all good but I want to be able to do what I want to do for as long as I want to do it and enjoy life as long as possible. Sure if disability or injury was the case that's different but I see no reason I can't run to find my car at 54, 64 ..... etc.

Forgetting which street I parked, that's another thread

I couldn't agree more! I may weigh more now than I did when I gave birth to both my children, have hair growing places it shouldn't, spots on my hands that weren't there before, and have 10 pair of "cheaters" to see anything up close (and still can't find where I left them) but I can ride 100 miles on a bike, have finished a triathlon, and am about to do a half-marathon. That feels wonderful and I'm not about to stop until I absolutely have to. I wear my hair in an easy style, wear comfortable shoes, don't shave my legs as often as I used to, hardly ever paint my nails anymore and have thrown my pantyhose away! Aging has been liberating for me and life is good! I love the poem "Warning: I Will Wear Purple."

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other peoples' gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickles for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

by Jenny Joseph

[shootingstar]

The health of (older) TE forum members is big contrast to other forums where people's close friends are suffering heart attacks right now.

Well, one good thing about aging for me...I haven't had to shave 'pits and legs for last 5 months. It's a genetic thing from Momma... seriously I'm getting hairless. I only need abit of graze shaving every few months. Actually it's been like this for past 3 yrs. or so. Have lost track.

[Biciclista]

The health of (older) TE forum members is big contrast to other forums where people's close friends are suffering heart attacks right now.

Well, one good thing about aging for me...I haven't had to shave 'pits and legs for last 5 months. It's a genetic thing from Momma... seriously I'm getting hairless. I only need abit of graze shaving every few months. Actually it's been like this for past 3 yrs. or so. Have lost track.

YOU have to shave?? (I don't!!)