Aging

[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!!)

[PamNY]

I had an interesting insight into aging (and my own attitudes) when my mother was in a nursing home. My mother was very badly off, and it showed. I was surprised when many other nursing home residents were kind to me and solicitous of my well-being.

Then I realized: why shouldn't they be a source of support for me? I was assuming, because they were old and using wheelchairs and walkers and in some cases facing death themselves, that they had nothing left to give. Boy, was I wrong; some of those dear people made the worst days of my life a lot brighter. Their compassion, intelligence and humor were intact regardless of their physical ills.

Before that experience, I would have said I have no prejudice toward the old, but I was wrong. I just had a prejudice I didn't know about yet.

When we say that what we see in the mirror doesn't match what we feel inside, we are (to some extent) making assumptions about what it feels like to be old. I suspect that some of our assumptions are wrong.

[lph]

When we say that what we see in the mirror doesn't match what we feel inside, we are (to some extent) making assumptions about what it feels like to be old. I suspect that some of our assumptions are wrong.

Good point and well put, Pam.

I sometimes meet people much younger than me that are "old".

[badger]

I turned 39 a couple of weeks ago, and my "joke" is I tell people I turned 29 (I've been saying that for about 7 years now). But I truly do feel about 29 inside, and I think with the right lighting I could pass for an older-looking 29

I'm lucky that I don't look my chronological age, but I'm starting to see way too much grey in my hair. I'll probably have to start dyeing in a couple of years.

I'm still not hearing my biological clock ticking, but I think my time's running out. Oh well.

And yeah, it sucks how it takes longer to heal from injuries and aches and pains are getting a bit too commonplace.

[GLC1968]

When we say that what we see in the mirror doesn't match what we feel inside, we are (to some extent) making assumptions about what it feels like to be old. I suspect that some of our assumptions are wrong.

This is a very, very good point. I read 'Water for Elephants' a few months back (and if you haven't read it, you should - phenominal book) and it really, really opened my eyes to aging. The story is told through the eyes of a man in his late 80's or early 90's (I forget his actual age) and it is soooo revealing about how older people get treated and often dismissed. And how much of a struggle it can be to have your brain think you are still capable of so much more than your body can put out. It really illuminated Pam's point - many of our assumptions about what it's like to 'feel' old are likely wrong.

I'd totally forgotten about that until just now. Thanks for the reminder, PamNY!

[PamNY]

Oh yes, "Water for Elephants" is a wonderful book and very pertinent to this discussion.

Michelem, this is an interesting topic -- thanks for starting it. I think your concerns make perfect sense -- there are very real losses associated with aging, and acknowledging those losses is all part of the fun. It's not a sign anything is wrong.

I love reading about the active and lively people in their 70s. NY biker, your story about walking all over DC made me smile. My aunt who came to Manhattan in her eighties was just like that. She waded into the middle of Sixth Ave. and hailed a cab like a native.

My most fun friend in NYC was my parents' age. She would always go to Central Park with me when it snowed, she would go to most any rock concert, and she was never, ever dull. I have friends in their forties who won't do half of what she did.

[Crankin]

Using those standards, my 85 year old dad is more fun than some of my 50-something non-riding friends.
I really think there is a growing "generation gap" within the same generation, once you get into your forties. I look at people at the grocery store, around town, etc. and it's disturbing. Now, some of these people didn't care about their health when they were young, either, but once they age, the whole process just accelerates. My DH is bothered even more by the poor health habits he sees around him, mostly because at 53, he is able to continue to be an in-shape cyclist who rides 2-3k miles a year, with 2 stents, taking 5 medications a day. He just wishes he had started it all in his twenties, because it's all poor genetics.

[Bike Chick]

I really think there is a growing "generation gap" within the same generation, once you get into your forties. I look at people at the grocery store, around town, etc. and it's disturbing. Now, some of these people didn't care about their health when they were young, either, but once they age, the whole process just accelerates.

I agree. I have non-cycling friends and co-workers in their 50's who are really starting to have serious health problems (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks). They will say to me "I can't believe you ride ___ miles or run ___ miles. That's crazy." Who's the one that's crazy?

[echidna]

I'm 46. I'm going gray. I'm not 100% sure where my eyesight is going (I need to find a KID to read off the serial # of my iPod to get it serviced - eek!) and my hearing is going to the dogs, too (though it that's the only poor genetics thing I get, I'm a lucky woman).
There aren't enough Kegels in the universe - I dribble in the shower. Probably a harbinger of menopause.
I'll never have a waist, but I never did, unlike my curvy sisters and my beautiful daughter. I'll always struggle with weight - although I'm happy to report that a frightening percentage of it is leg muscle.
When I got my tattoo last year, I had to shoehorn it in between cellulite and stretch marks. Probably best that I waited as long as I did; I don't expect either to get much worse at this point.
Despite "it all", I feel 35, and I'm pretty sure I *look* a bit younger than my age; still, when I look in the mirror I wish I saw a younger face.
But I'm generally healthy, active, and fit, and because of that I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world. Oh - and I'm racing RAAM this year, something I could not do when I was younger.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I was going to read this thread, but then I saw it had 39 posts, and I'm getting older by the minute and am about to turn 56... so I decided I didn't want to take the time to read it all!

Back out to the garden for me....I have seedlings to water!

[NbyNW]

It would be bad news to feel older than one's actual age.

That was my reaction when I read the original question.

I was one of those kids who was 14 going on 40. I started to get gray hairs at 13. And as I moved through my first decades of adulthood, there were probably times when the reverse was true!

Chronological age seems to matter less as the years go by. I have to stop and do some math if someone actually asks me my age.

The closer I get to 40, the more in sync I feel with my physical/chronological age. Don't know why, or what it means.

Second half will definitely be interesting!

[shootingstar]

I have to stop and do some math if someone actually asks me my age.

Well, you can tell the next person: time flies, hard to keep track of my age.

I actually have to think of not my age, but take time to remember ages of my family members. Every year, it has to be updated. Might sound stupid, but there's a middle sister that I can never immediately and accurately remember her current age.

[Zen]

... so I decided I didn't want to take the time to read it all!

I'm finding more and more threads like that

[runningcyclist]

There aren't enough Kegels in the universe

I had to laugh when I read that as I have days when I think it

Very pertinent comments from all of you. I'm 47 and been going gray since my 30s (I maintain my beloved of the time started me off ), but I love and look forward to a complete head of gray/white.

I too have hair growing where it shouldn't, but that's due to PCOS and restaurant lighting really is terrible. Despite all that, I can still run short and long distances - just not at speed and my cycling skills are slowly improving.

As long as I can move I'll keep on running and cycling and if my joints wear out, the wonders of medical science will replace them

[sundial]

I have always resembled Sponge Bob in body shape. So not having a waist when the change comes will perhaps not be such a big deal as for those who have lovely trim waists. Finally, a positive!

Tulip, lol!

The only time I feel old is when my arthritis flares up. Then I feel 20 years older.