Over 50 with huge amounts of energy?

[Serendo]

Musing about a friend in her mid 50's. Not a close friend, we see each other at a social event regularly. She works full time as a surgeon, has 2 children she is very hands on with and she entertains or hosts guests or travels to somewhere new almost every single week end.

She is always 'on', never misses a beat and always the first to respond to texts, organise things, etc. I'm a similar age and have nowhere near those energy levels. Do you know anyone like this and wonder how they do it?

He sleeps in until 6:30am
Sleeps in?

It's because you get used to working that hard. I use the carthorse analogy, they used to have to take working horses for a long walk on Sunday otherwise they were too stiff to work Monday. Pro cyclists do the same.
Until 2 years ago I was working 70+ hours a week at this time of year as a gardener at the age of 53. I not sure how I did it now.

Here to redress the balance, 56 and work full time but I'm mentally and physically tired all the time, really need to go down to 3 or 4 days but can't afford to.

Not all 50 somethings are bursting with energy. Is it really so hard to imagine that?

I get through the day the best I can and that will have to do. I would never judge someone else for not being able to cram eleventy billion things into their day! I don't care.

At 51 I had a lot more energy. Now not so much but it's not a crime 🤷🏻‍♀️

I definitely agree with all of this.

I'm pretty certain that mentally I don't find things easier as I ruminate, overanalyse, and have huge amounts of anxiety. Coupled with being highly disorganised, and totally reactive and not proactive, I'm pretty much a nightmare to be around with looking after 3 children.

I'm a SAHM but used to have a career in publishing before I had a head injury and post concussion syndrome, then was injured by psychotropic meds after. I'm sure I'm also a bit on the spectrum, and have undiagnosed ADHD and autism. If it wasn't for my DH or parents, I'd literally be falling apart, broke, with no backup or support to fall back on.

My energy levels were great when I was a child, and I thrived doing exercise for my teenage years, but being perimenopausal now, I have to say that I can't remember the last time that I woke up feeling full if energy. It's a bit annoying and depressing if I'm honest 🥺🙄

Some people do just pack lots in. She's probably been like it all her life. I have friends who are similar. They like getting the most out of life.

There's an element of luck I think, in that you have to not be mown down by some awful health problem, which is increasingly a possibility as one gets older. Or not have a catastrophic menopause.

But those things aside, I notice people who are like this don't dither, do things rather than cogitate and worry and are confident and organised. And don't watch much telly or go on their phones much!

Humans have lots of variables, from inherited genes to physical workload to constantly getting bombarded with sensory information. All these things can affect our energy levels.

In my experience, those in their 50's who get a new found energy have often achieved a few things in life, have matured in character and are generally comfortable with who they are. Reaching that stage gives a great foundation to live the rest of our lives. Basically we know what matters and what does not and our energy is often better focused.

I agree with “survival of the fittest” theory someone posted above. Also with a combination of factors at a play. It might be generally better health - their own plus children’s, higher income, maybe a lot of minor everyday help from their partner and/or parents.

@Screamingabdabz im with you! (Esoecially if you locate some some cocaine!!😂😂). Never tried it, but sounds like it might help!!)

@Theredjellybean

there are things in life people 'don't get' until they do, then they realise it's not as simple that 'just getting on with it'. That only works when you can 'just get on with it'. It's not always a bloody choice!

FFS the lack of understanding on this thread is awful.

I would have thought ADHD, extrovert and non-perfectionist.

It is not so much lack of energy as I am not tired despite working long hours. I just don't want chaos in my life so choose not to take on too much at the same time.

Interesting to read all the responses here. My person in my OP does have a husband and family that help plus a cleaner and the usual gardener. The children pack a lot in too and that’s a conscious choice to keep them very occupied, she thinks it’s good for them.

Something to be said for having become used to working 70+ hours and applying that resilience to the rest of your life.

Plenty like me are prob undiagnosed ADHD.. you describe me. I'm 54 and juggle an insane amount of stuff but rarely sit still / just watch tv

After I stopped working crazy hours - during which time my health was dire and nothing else got done - I don't know how I did it. You can get used to something but still find it horrendous.

I remember discovering TV shows that I'd never heard of and were maybe 10, 15 years old, because I only just had the time to watch TV after stopping those hours.

Plenty like me are prob undiagnosed ADHD

They're probably not.

Energy levels can be purely genetic, I have mitochondrial disease which is basically the innability to convert sugar and oxygen into energy.

So my energy levels have to be monitored.

If you feel fit great, but there are many people walking around with undiagnosed conditions that affect energy levels, it's not a question of I just get on with it and others are lazy, it doesn't work like that.

I think by definition if she is a surgeon she is pretty alpha so the rest doesn’t surprise me. I was pretty energetic at 55, however a year of cancer treatment, ongoing medication and now turning 60 I can just about get through the day. I really miss my old energy levels.

I am a similar age, work full time, two teenagers, no help apart from dp, and we go out 4 to 5 times a week and have busy weekends.
I am not fit. But the more you do, the more you can do.

I can be still. But I have also had a lot of shitty things happen in my life and treat each day as precious

I'm 55 and cba to write anymore 😀

48 and recently made redundant- pre Covid we used to do an insane amount of stuff, working and with the kids. I used to do so much it made people feel sick.

now….. just got out the habit. When o get a job again it’s gonna be a shocker.

so if she’s used to working 70 hours a week to be a surgeon, then it’s good fortune and a habit

I am 51 and and have a fair bit of energy. My job isn't as stressful as your friend's, and my DC are grown, though they still need a bit of help. I don't have a regular cleaner, gardener or any family help. But I do a lot of stuff- go to the theatre, museums, gigs, travel- and I socialise a fair bit.

I have always been this way. I need to be busy. I am also reasonably fit. I have newfound energy now my child rearing years are over and this time is for me to explore new things.

@herbetta completely agree. Both life changing with regards to energy for me.
Giving up alcohol worked too. I didn't ever drink much but always felt rotten and sluggish afterwards. Energy levels have definitely increased.

Oh, I respond to all my texts/emails and am always the organiser. I don't think I have ADHD. I am happy being this way, mostly. I like being "on". DH is rather "off" and I don't want to spend what's left of my life on the couch or pottering. Going to go out with a bang!

You’re very lucky to have that hereditary disposition.

Saying sleeps in til 6.30 is surely a deliberate windup though?

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing that would be a weekend lie in for me. I'm 64 and have always been an early riser. I usually wake around 5 and an up and about by 6. Weekends DH makes a cup of tea so we stay in bed a bit longer.