Getting older

I’m mid-60s, and enjoying life better than ever before now I’m retired. I’ve lost loads of weight, joined (and regularly use) the gym, fill my days with walking and learning new stuff, and my evenings with WI, plays, films and operas. I have the time to shop locally for fresh food, and to cook it well, though I also eat a lot of salads. I’ve shaken off the end-of-career aches, pains and exhaustion, and have more energy than at any time since my teens. Hang in there, folks - it gets better…

I have t got the energy I used to have and can't walk long distances without feeling exhausted . I think I can do more than I actually can .

I know. I don't mind my lines, but the turkey neck is shite.

Turkey neck is a killer. My neck used to be so firm and smooth. Very hard to let go of my once swan-like neck.

There is a video on YouTube by Barbara O Neill....'muscles know no age'. Our muscles literally know no age. Use them, or lose them. Plenty strong ppl in 80s lifting weights.

I am 60. If I don't keep active, everything aches. Being sedentary is the killer, I find. I do get tired more easily than I did 5 or 6 years ago.

The turkey neck really pisses me off though! I moisturize it several times a day in the hope it makes it less noticeable. But I have friends who either haven't made it this far or who are battling really serious illness, so I count my blessings. .

I'm 64. Can't say I'm in the happiest place now. Was widowed 3 yrs ago.

3 ops in 3 yrs - stuff that would have been taken care of were it not for lockdown and being a carer.

Became very sedentary. Could hardly get off the couch, even using my arms. (One of the ops was a shoulder decompression.)

Got a bit of physio and the physio referred me to an exercise programme. Have been going 3 months now. The difference it has made has been amazing.

Arms are stronger - upper arm muscles seem to be back and thigh muscles are back to normal - can now stand up from the couch easily, without using my arms to push up. Can also walk upstairs without hauling myself by my arms.

Not much, but it's made an improvement to my quality of life.

I’m nearly 50, the menopause is just kicking in and sometimes I just cannot be arsed anymore. My sleep is all over the place and I can see my scalp through my hair.

But then I remember I have a lovely Dad, a great DP, my kids are off starting their own grown-up lives and I’m financially stable. Lots to be happy about here.

The alternative isn't any easier either.

Didn't say we were meaningless. Fleeting dust...eventually yes. We're passing through and it helps me, and others, to focus on our spirit and the next life.

That sounds very hard. I'm sorry

Not sure telling us we're all just fleeting dust and meaningless is going to cheer many folk up tbh

And they are alive!!! Many a good person I know didn’t make 50. Therefore I never complain about getting old.
Positives of being older for me are:
Not stressing about the future as I have met my tribe, have my family
I know I am content in my life
Can still have good craic with good people.
Nicer house
Better paid
being older is class!🤣

🤣 so true. Last week found myself alongside 4 other 50something women in a charity shop, all buying floral.

HRT and vitamin B, does help with the energy. No alcohol and less sugar would also help, but not going to happen.

I have found that I enjoy gardening and my mugs have pictures of flowers on them. This is shocking and evidently a sign of getting older.

I'm so worried about getting even more bitter. I don't want to regret anything but I already do.
I get tired even more easily. I feel as if my face is settling into a grumpy expression.

Agree - l lift weights 3 times a week, run and cycle regularly and feel fab!

@Gettingbysomehow makes a great point. During the menopause I felt like it was all downhill from there. Now I'm out the other side of it I feel like I have a new lease of life. I'm 60 this year and am enjoying life more than ever.

Getting old is fine by me. My best friend died when she was 32 so every year I've had over that feels like a gift she never had and I try to live each day to the full for her and me.

Totally agree, nearly 62, awful menopause at 45, just over that then hormonal depression at 58, then at 60 Parkinson’s, told now had it 7 years, not too bad, very painful at times.
Had to give up work at 59, single, beloved cat, I feel old before my time, hate it!
My dad had Parkinson’s late 70s, shit, drugs yes, no real cures as yet

Getting older is better than any alternative.

Just think how much less "easy" your life might be in 10 20 30 years, because of "getting older", and then try to enjoy now. How about that. You have now. Now is all you have. Be pleased about all the stuff that you can do and that is good now.

It does help some people, and PP shouldn't be made to feel bad for saying it.

I'm imagining OP is in her 80s, and tiptoeing away from the thread to leave the young uns to it!

Hey, you lot! Get yourselves to the gym. Muscles and bones get stronger with exercise.

Great to hear this. Menopause is hard slog. Glad there is light at the end of the tunnel.