I'm thinking about getting older

[Peace Of Mind]

Personally, I'm thinking about becoming younger.  Since I don't look it I just act it and people seem to be fooled so far. 

My SIL that we hung with today is younger than me but married a guy 13 years younger.  She is so self conscience about aging and hates it.  We went out to eat and then for a little hike and enjoyed the gorgeous weather we had today.  We are planning on doing more of that type of thing in the future and are finding better hiking places to go to.  Both of our DHs are younger than we are and we kicked their butts.  They couldn't keep up so I think we are on the right track.  We both eat lots of seafood and chicken and vegetables and try to drink a lot of water.  Alcohol is for a preservative so we will continue drinking that too.  I'll let you all know if it works.  So far, I'm not sure but my blood tests come back healthy and good so I think it's helping.   

I see myself as a fun, will look good as possible without major surgery or cosmetic nonsense and somewhat physically active old lady.  Anything better than that will be a shock.  If I live to a ripe old age would also be a shock.  

I'm 54 and weigh 126 lbs.  My doctors always think I work out but I don't.  I do love to walk on the beach and I want to start hiking and maybe even horse back riding again.  I move around a lot just maintaining the house, gardening/weeding/cleaning, and staying after 5 cats who are very messy.   I love to dance every chance I get even if it's around the house.  Occasionally I do jumping jacks and stuff like that but not near as much as I should.    I have a good head of hair and all of my teeth which in Florida makes me gorgeous! 

I see myself as maybe looking decent until my mid-60's.  I'm hoping for a new procedure that is less invasive before then but I'm not holding my breath and just hoping for the best.  Being able to take care of myself and being able to still move around like I want to is my 1st goal.  Looking good too would be a bonus.   

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I think staying active, AND having a positive attitude/outlook on life helps keep a person healthier than someone who moans and groans and looks at getting older as a time to give up on "living".

My mom was physically active, and capable of looking after herself up to her 90's - it wasn't until her mid- 80's she sold & moved out of the house and into a seniors condo - semi-assisted living, and still prepared her own breakfast/lunch and had her evening meal in the main dining room with other residents when she didn't feel like cooking. She also went on all the bus tours/day trips & and jaunts to the grocery or mall for shopping that the facility provided. (She graciously gave up her driving privileges and her sporty little car at the age of 80).

If you feel old and develop the attitude of being at the end of your good years, you'll decline faster (IMO) than entering the twilight years with a positive outlook.

[gooddecisions]

I have a few female friends who are in their late 60s and they look amazing. They are in amazing shape, dress very stylish and keep their hair colored and youthful. I never ask about their skin care, but I think they are doing something because they don't look even 50. I would love to be just like them, but I'm lazy and too cheap for expensive skin care procedures. All I will commit to is dying my hair when it finally turns gray and staying in shape.

[gooddecisions]

My parents retired 13 years ago at 55. They stopped dying their hair, which did sort of age them, but they are in great shape. At 68 and 70, they are more active than ever, in better shape than ever and more social than ever. They have a great life of sports, travel and an active social calendar, almost no time for me or grand kids. But, I'm really happy for them.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

You seem to be focused on decades - specifically turning 70.

Look at it as reaching a milestone - not getting old.

You're only as young as you feel - I think my most traumatic "decade" was hitting the big THREE-OH. My DH threw an "Old Gray Mare" surprise party for me complete with "old people" gag gifts (denture cream, seniors bus passes, etc).

When I reached the big FIVE-OH, it was - meh - just another birthday - no big deal.

I'm going to march into my 70's - hopefully sporting red hat - as I make my grand entrance.

[msventoux]

I don't think any of my family in recent generations have made it to 70.  Most of them never took care of themselves and many lost against addictions to food, alcohol, nicotine, mental illness or illegal drugs. 

I recognize many of those traits in myself and guard against them.  I don't drink alcohol or smoke at all, and no drugs other than an OTC allergy med.  I am heavier than I need to be, but still within reasonable guidelines for weight and BMI.  I am working on it and have maintained a healthier lifestyle than the rest of my family. 

I'm trying to get myself to like running.  It's not working yet.  It would be good for me, good for my dog to go with me, and there's a couple of local running and hiking clubs that look like they would be fun to join.  A couple of years ago I went on a number of extended back country hikes by myself, but it would be more fun with like-minded people to go along. 

Who knows if any of it will make any difference.  I've always kinda been the black sheep in regards to my family.  I'm hoping that holds true in the health and longevity realm as well.  I'm responsible, save for the future and try to take care of myself, but I don't really dwell on the future too much. 

[busymom]

Most people in my family live to be quite old (except for the smokers). Unfortunately, my Dad didn't think gaining weight would do him much harm, & he ended up with Type 2 diabetes in his old age. That, & watching him prick his fingers all the time to check his blood sugar is enough to get me motivated to not let myself gain too much weight. I'm lighter now than when the kids were little, but I'd really like to lose another 10-20 pounds to be more fit. I don't see myself just sitting at home when I get old. Peace Of Mind, pass the bottle! 

[Shooby]

I don't think about it. I just live today and try to eat right, exercise and take care of myself. I really don't want to think of being 80 or whatever.

[wyouser]

Getting older?? Gasp...Don't do it!!! They all lied to you when you were young. If they had told me all about this aging BS for real when I was young, I'd never have ever turned 21!!

[NancysSummerSip]

Funny, I was having this discussion with someone today. I said we don't become higher maintenance as we age; our warranties just need to be extended!

I've had to do my share of medical fixes and patching-up, but I'm fine with that. As far as aging, yes, I look at the future. My mother lived into her eighties, but her last two decades were awful, health-wise. My father died young. Both of them left this world due to preventable health issues. Both had heart disease and diabetes. Both of my siblings are diabetic. So I do look at the family around me and think about doing it better. I'm not a fanatic (though my DH would say otherwise), but I do work at it. I'd like to be around for many more years, but many more healthy years. If I am sick, lame or otherwise dependent on others for my care, that's existing, not living.

I don't smoke, rarely drink, work out every day, stay mentally active and get my medical issues dealt with when they arise. I get bloodwork done (to monitor cholesterol and triglycerides), have bone density, colonoscopy, mammograms and stress tests done regularly and get vaccinations and an OB-GYN exam when I am due. We all leave this planet eventually, but I'd prefer not to die of something I can easily prevent.

[toomuchreality]

I'm going to die an early death. I don't do anything special. But I don't have an outrageous lifestyle either.

[swamp]

I'm almost 45. I now have arthritis. Aging sucks. I still work out, but it's a losing battle.

[NastyWoman]

I'm younger today than I will be tomorrow and I'm milking that for all it's worth!!!

[mmhmm]

Jan 20, 2015 19:07:03 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Aging doesn't have to involve misery. If you take reasonable care of yourself, barring unavoidable injury or disease, you should do quite well. Genetics does, indeed, come into play, however. I'll be 73 next month. I have no chronic medical conditions, am quite slender, take no medications other than a beta-blocker for familial tremor (which I could do without) and vitamins, and am able to do pretty much whatever I please. Yes, there are aches and pains when I try to do too much, but there always were, to a degree. I think there's a lot to be said for attitude. If you're positive and upbeat, you'll do just fine.

[Peace Of Mind]

Jan 20, 2015 19:02:35 GMT -5 @patstab said:

I agree I do the preventative stuff too. I know part of mine is measuring the fact I only have a few years to enjoy with my husband and I still have to care for DD. I want some of those years to just be me years and I don't see

it happening. It's very frustrating so I see time passing and nothing for me. Yeah, I know I'm selfish, what can I say.

I can say that is pure bullshit!  You've give up your career and numerous other things to take care of others.  You're not being selfish for wanting some "PatStab" time at all.  (((Hugs))) that you are feeling time is passing you by.  I really do hope you get that valuable time alone with your DH to do more things that you enjoy and I hope you allow him to pamper you so that you two get more quality time together soon.  You've earned it.

 

[Artemis Windsong]

I am aging gracefully.  I keep active at the gym and try to eat healthy but I'm not obsessed like I used to be.

I went through a lot of aging anxiety over the past few years with good reason.  The uneasiness is the marriage relationship.

The best thing to do is live the best life today and string them into a wonderful future with great memories.

[swamp]

Jan 20, 2015 21:27:02 GMT -5 @patstab said:

Man I like food but I'm giving up a lot of the fat stuff and eating better, intend to keep at it too. I need to for the rest of my life to stay healthy. And now I'm putting my mind to it I'm finding there are all kinds of good things to eat that aren't fattening.  After eating at Chilis today I see the very high calorie stuff, the bowl of soup was small but I'm sure calorie dense. Got to watch that. Well, it says 250 calories for a bowl of chili with cheese, seems like it would be a lot more then that, wonder if they mean a cup??

Have you ever used myfitnesspal.com? There is both a website and an app. Try it. It's got a huge database of calorie/nutrition information on 1,000,000's of foods.

[ArchietheDragon]

I am going bald.  That really pisses me off. 

[ArchietheDragon]

Jan 21, 2015 8:58:22 GMT -5 @sroo4 said:

Jan 21, 2015 8:24:47 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

I am going bald.  That really pisses me off. 

MrSroo saw that writing on the wall when he turned 30.   He embraced it and shaved his head, been doing it ever since.   Smart move on his part.   

I may have to do that soon.   My wife told me 6 months ago or so that if I cut my hair shorter I wouldn't look so bald.   I may need to go shorter still. 

[NoNamePerson]

I know people in their 30's who are OLD in attitude and outlook on life. Hell I may drop dead tomorrow but nobody will be standing over my grave saying she sure was old unless you count years on earth. They will be saying "you remember the time she did this or that and had one hell of a good time while on earth"

Not like you can do anything about turning 70 unless you kill over first. Lifes short enough without agnozing over a friggin number unless that is all you have to look forward too!!   

I think staying active, AND having a positive attitude/outlook on life helps keep a person healthier than someone who moans and groans and looks at getting older as a time to give up on "living

Well said.

[NancysSummerSip]

Jan 21, 2015 8:24:47 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

I am going bald.  That really pisses me off. 

But you posted a photo recently of you running a race. The rest of you looked HAWT. Who cares how much hair you have?

[NoNamePerson]

Oh, I forgot to ask - how long have you been thinking about getting older - 20 yrs, 30 yrs 40 yrs or just yesterday? I never give it any thought - maybe I'm to old to care and just relish every day   

[Bob Ross]

Jan 21, 2015 8:24:47 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

I am going bald.  That really pisses me off. 

Whatever man.   Just shave your head, start wearing Tap Out t-shirts, and drive an F-150 Raptor.

[sesfw]

I'm not getting old gracefully I'm fighting it all the way!!

I'm 73.  Had a bout with colon cancer a couple of years ago and have that beat.  I've been retired since 61 and hated it so found volunteer work as much as I could.  I now have a 'part time' paying job that would be 40 hrs a week if I let it.  I sing in 3 choirs for this spring.

After DH had his heart attack almost 3 years ago both of us went on a heart healthy diet and both of us lost weight.  DH lost about 75 lbs and I lost almost 50.  Both of us feel a lot better and can do things a lot easier.  Genetically DH will live to his mid 80s: he is almost 77.  Genetically I will live to my 90s.

I refuse to get old .... but I know I'm getting older.