When Did You Start To Feel Old?

[Jon B]

Bout to be 37. Body is damaged from years of abuse and an accident. Back is shot. Lots of pain in lower back most days.

[trailboss]

Closing in on 70 and don't feel it yet! Still feel like I can keep up with most.

Trailboss

[ken800]

Mid-late 40s for me and I started to get sore from too much work.

[Goldeneagle]

lmao

Don't you start!

[coldgas]

It started catching up to me around 36. I stayed active and played softball up to that point. I remember it hit me the last couple of seasons I played. I had to quit playing infield because the balls came way too fast and I was afraid of getting hurt. I got hit a couple of times running bases because I was no longer quick enough to dodge them. The aches and pains starting coming about that age as well.
I know some of you young guys say as long as you stay in shape it will never happen. That's a lie because I stayed in good shape until then.

[Notaguide]

45 when my eyesight changed and started needing readers.

[AJ the TP Guru]

About 1 1/2 yrs ago. Thought it was just my arrhythmia, so I got a pacemaker. Nope, that didn't do it. I used to speedwalk three miles 3-4 days/wk. Hey, I can't even walk at an avg speed for one mile now. Had an ultrasound, and the heart is AOK.

Next step - pulmonary specialist.

[firemanjj82]

Op, at 38 I could whoop everyone on this forum, (or thought so), but now, at 73, I can’t whoop the gnats off my azz.......it hurts too !

That's what I'm saying....dang. I'm 37, it's not always unicorns and rainbows, but if your complaining now then your gonna be in a wheel chair by 60...lol

Not saying I can't still do work... I'm a firefighter and have been for nearly 20 years now. We were given a house to train on, like forcing open doors and breaching walls. We went there the other day and I got up on the roof with an 8# flat head axe and made a 4' x 4' hole, busting through shingles and 1x4 tongue and groove decking faster than the 22 years old on the chain saw. Made 3 holes total within 15 minutes, in gear too. I also can do manual labor for a majority of the day and outwork guys 20 years younger, mainly because I know the ways to work smarter.

It's not a matter of not being able to do work or maintain endurance. My issue is that all the injuries that come with that work doesn't heal up as quick as it used to. When I go to the gym and do squats or pull-ups, it's not just those muscles getting sore that I have to anticipate, but what those sore muscles are going to affect because they're connected to other body parts. So if my hamstrings get sore a day or two later, there's a good chance my back is going to need a chiropractor soon.

My body has been less adaptive to stress, too. Since turning 38 this year, I've learned that stress is now starting to affect my diet, digestive system, sleep, and muscles, where as before it wasn't nothing more than just a hard day. My resiliency has lessened some, basically. I've just learned to adjust my diet, remain consistent in exercise, and try not to shock my system too much. Believe me, I know it could be a whole lot worse, and I'm not making excuses. I just have always known that there would be a day where I go from being good every time, to being good once with a few days of rest in between.

[catslayer]

When chemo started and when college kids didn't realize I'm closer to thier age than thier parents

[Ellen]

The first time I felt old was when the kid sacking my groceries at HEB called me Ma'am and I wasn't even 30 yet

Seriously, I'm 75 now and some days I feel really old, other days not old at all. I believe in the saying "a body in motion stays in motion ......".

Hubby is 74 and until 3 years ago when he had surgery (C-1/C-2 fusion) he was in great shape. Now he has a lot of neuropathy and almost no range of motion from the surgery along with arthritis so he can't do some of the things he used to do.

All in all though I think we are pretty lucky to be able to do as much as we do. We fish, we hunt (bow hunt only ), process our game, maintain our property from mowing, painting, cutting trees and brush etc., and we look out for each other. I know one day we may not be able to do for ourselves but, for now we'll just keep on keepin' on.

Old age isn't exactly a walk in the park but, it's sure is better than the alternative .

[Smart]

Don't you start!

[emoji56][emoji56][emoji56]

[tex4k]

This morning!! Just like most every morning for the last 20 or so years! But I ain't about to roll over and let it get me! I still get up and go out on the Predator Control line, set traps, cruise all the sheep pastures, and manage to walk 2-3 miles per day while doing it all! And still come home to mow the grass and do all the little honey-do's that need doin'! Everybody gets to feelin' old, it's when you start believin' it, that's when it catches up to you! 62.5 yrs btw.

[dustoffer]

I was still in uniform when I hit 40 and I was asking an older buddy about going down hill---his response? "Just wait until you hit 45" and he was right. I was 53 when I retired and the last few physical fitness tests were noticeably more difficult. I'm 74 now and the aches and pains are there every day---hands, shoulders, knees, and back--lots of arthritis.

[coach2]

34

[TXHUNT3R]

34 now and in better shape than I was at 24. Hoping to fend off "feeling old" for many more years to come.