To What degree have you lost energy and drive as you have aged?

For me, it began in my mid 50’s. I became aware, I would get tired after being up and working for 8 or 9 hours. It was mostly an inability to maintain a high level of focus and concentration that is required for many activities. There was a slow but steady decline in my ability to remain focused over the next 10 to 12 years and by age 67 I was having difficulty working physically more than 3 hours a day or concentrating on technical matters more than about a half a day.

In addition my short term memory which was never my strong suit to begin with, declined as well.

Today just a few months short of 70 I can walk for an hour more or less with no problem. However if I try doing an hour and half walk each day I start having pretty good pains and aches. Trying to remember random numbers is more than a struggle, it is almost impossible. Worse I can at times get up to go get something and forget what I was going for before I get there. LOL

My powers of concentration are at best 35 to 40 percent of what they were in my youth, and my physical stamina is closer to 20 to 25 percent of what it was in my youth.

Due to the sensitive nature of the viewers of this site, I will not even go into some other declines I have experienced. LOL

My metabolism has slowed down so that if I eat anything close to what I would like to I gain weight very quickly, so I am in a constant state of dieting.

I was just wondering if others were experiencing the same decline in both physical and mental abilities as they enter the so-called golden years.

you ain't alone my friend turned 59 a few months back. and i can feel the difference from last year. walking on flat ground i am ok but walking up a slight grade to my deer stand not so good. the bad news is my deer stand is less than 200 yds from my back door. to add insult to injury i missed a big fat doe at about 50 yds.can't see open sights on my marlin 38/55 lever in less than good light. my spelling is getting tougher. have to back up and re spell words i used to have no problem with.the good news is not everyone gets to grow old we are privlleged see what i mean can't spell priviledged.

You described me about as well as I could have.

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Old Age Ain't For Sissies

You haven't seen anything yet, wait til you hit 80. It's like being knocked down on the floor and you have a tough time just to get up. No fun, trust me. Mentally I'm okay, but physically it sucks.

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Dick

Sounds like you are doing damn well compared to me.

According to Bam-Bam's formula, I've got just 4-1/2 good years left... but in reality, I think I've already used up all of my good years. At least it feels that way today and for several weeks now. I see my doctors 3 times as often as I see my kids and I fear that ratio is going to take a step increase in the next few weeks and months. As we speak, I am taking my pulse and blood pressure... and neither looks terribly good. Damn, I wish those stupid alarms would stop going off.

This whole getting old thing is for the birds.

You are preaching to the choir. I am 58 and starting to feel it. I am having surgery on my left foot due to arthritis and will the do the right after the left heals. Hopefully, I can get back into walking. I am told my feet will be pain free. Maybe then I can do something with my knees. My mind is still sharp but my father developed Alzheimer's in his mid 70s and so did all of my uncles on my dad's side.

I have friend that just cut his working hours down to 4 a day. He was 95 in Nov. He is a commercial wood turner. Another friend complains he can't do what he used to do 4-5 years ago. He's 85. I saw him shinny up a 30ft tree a couple of months ago to trim some branches. I can't climb a 30ft ladder. Just turned 68 and can't keep up with either of them. I'm assuming two skull fractures, neck broken twice, one knee replacement, one heart attack,3 stints, a ruined shoulder,and more broken ribs than I remember don't help the process of aging but I didn't think it would be this bad. Should have lived a more sedimentary life.

My hearing has been bad for over a decade, even with hearing aids.
What has snuck up on me is the loss of night vision. If it is raining and the street is dark, I'm wanting to see painted curbs, and those are hard to come by.

It's a game of revised expectations and trade-offs. No use fighting it, embrace it. Look forward to that mid-afternoon nap. Do what you can, while you can, and don't sweat that it's half what it used to be.

I experienced my big degradation, all at once eleven years ago, as a result of life-saving medical treatment. I knew the side effects to expect, and it's harder on my husband than on me, but he's been a saint throughout.

Hang in there buddy.

My heart surgery in '01 didn't slow me down. The pacemaker and ablation in '11 was but a hiccup. The stage IV head and neck cancer of two years has all but taken my landing gear out.

Mobility is difficult due to the hip arthritis bestowed upon me by chemo.

Between beer, meds and the occasional piece of burnt rope, I get along OK. I'm better off than others and grateful for it.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I'm not yet 60 and was kicked by prostate cancer with a subsequent surgery two years ago then hernia surgery this year. The prostatectomy acted as the trigger for a debilitating case of rheumatoid arthritis and it all makes me not so anxious to turn 60!

I am 71 and have enjoyed good health all my life. (other than 2 bouts of pneumonia) This past year is when age began to take its toll on me. Same complaints others have mentioned. Not quite the stamina I used to have, the old night vision has deteriorated some, and the usual litany of aches and pains. Overall, I consider myself blessed. I have many friends who haven't lived this long and others with serious health problems. Life has been good to me. Having a good wife for soon to be 52 years has helped!

I was in pretty good shape until a little over a year ago when I went down a flight of stairs every which way but the right way. Never been seriously ill or injured in my life. Then Wham! compression fractures/arthritis in my back leaves me in pain most of the time, most of the time I can ignore it but not always.

If I'd known I was going to live this long I'd have taken better care of myself, naw, Still drink, smoke, eat unhealthy stuff, drive too fast.
Life is not for the meek or timid. Let's go ride a roller coaster!

Well, this is a very uplifting thread. I am about to turn 62. In 98 I nearly died from a lung disease from automotive paint. Recovered from that one and it is completely gone but got sick last fall and it turns out I have a second lung disease unrelated to the other. I have been in education for 31 years, administration for the past 17 of those. I have normally worked 10-14 hour days for years but no more. I am trying to keep it at 10 or less. I take naps (just what I was doing before answering this thread), I have less tolerance for people who don't listen and just do heir own thing, hearing is shot, no aids yet, memory is OK near as I can tell. Cant climb a ladder like I once did, once a very good athlete, the stamina (lungs), and balance are not there but for my age I can still outwork guys in their 40's and 50's most of he time. I don't let things bother me and having a large to do list bugs me because I know I cant get as much done as in the past. Last May had a small TIA but nothing since. Yep, getting older is not a picnic. I am often told I look much younger than 62, have all of my hair (girls loved it when I was in HS) and it is lightly gray sprinkled in. Cant pee like I use to, doc says a rotter router job is coming up some day. I have already turned in my retirement for June and plan to do some part time stuff, nothing serious, I just want to enjoy life going forward.

I can't move as fast as I used to but what I notice most is the decline in my physical strength. Something I would have hoisted up on the truck with ease just a few years ago now remains on the ground while my muscles feel like I just tore something loose.

I can still concentrate pretty well, but now it takes A LOT more effort. Often I will just say "why bother?"

My hearing was always great and is still quite good. I can hear things much younger folks can't. But now I have this constant ringing in my ears. Man that is tough to live with!

As for "other abilities", let me just say "I hear you" and stay within the Forum Rules.

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You're shy a few manners.

At age 72 I have good, bad, and fair days. This is the first year in 50 years that I didn't go deer hunting here in Ohio due to afib and worrying about heart surgery, which didn't happen for a good reason. Really miss that special morning and evening time in the stand.

Sense of balance and stamina have dwindled. Every Fall, the wife and I collect Paw paws and have to wade across a rocky shallow 40ft wide creek. Can't do it without a walking stick and have to go quarter speed.

My heart is in normal rhythm now and they'll do an ablation in February to keep it there.

We all seem to have our own "row to hoe" so to speak. It's comforting, in some strange twisted way, to share these mortality thoughts with each other.

I still imagine and dream of the elk hunt in my next life, and of those special wilderness areas I've seen in days gone by.

Dave

Today is as good as it gets. It's all down hill from here on out. I thought that real comforting, he's 77 and I heading for 64. My ole Dad use to say that you'll live till you die if something doesn't kill ya first!

OP,

I am a few years older than you and I can tell you one thing, IT AIN"T GOING TO GET ANY BETTER!!!

I used to love spending time with my old neighbor, Bud, when he was alive. Wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, he was deaf as a stone, always counted on saying things twice when speaking with him. He died at age 92.

He used to say, "I'll eat when I'm hungry and drink when I'm dry.
And if a tree don't fall on me I'll live 'til I die".

Dave

I'm only 53, and in very good health. But my endurance isn't what it used to be. Especially since I shattered a knee and couldn't walk for over 4 months a couple of years ago. The amount of stamina lost in that short time was amazing, and I'm still trying to regain it.

My hearing hasn't been good for a long time and it's getting worse. I'm now wearing my first set of TRI-focals. I'm actually starting to consider lasik correction because the glasses are getting to be such a pain in the tukas.

Getting older really sucks - but it beats the alternative!

As someone else stated previously, you have hit it
right on the head for me as well. I'm just a pup yet
(55 years old), but i am slowing down physically as well
due to broken vertabrae in back and right hand/wrist
are going bad (degenitive Arthritus) and bone separation.
My hearing is shot and my eyesight is not what it once
was. "No more iron sight rifles for me".
But i have been blessed and always try to remember that
someone else has a rougher road. It's all good.


Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

I was like 18 until 55, had a few little things no real problems.

When I turned 67 knees started hurting, they found bone to bone both knees. At 68 yrs and 9 months stuff happened in multiples, pneumonia, Type 2 diabetes, blood closts right leg, Cava Vena clot filter added. Seeing a seeing Dr now because the valves in legs are not working right.

I can walk slowly, walked quite a bit during the Nov Mo deer season real slow and in pain. Started a series of 5 shots in the knees middle of Mo deer season. I can walk better with less pain but still slow. I knew I was in trouble 2 years ago when my left knee would not pull me up on my horse. My Mare is not bothered, she comes up to me for treats and snacks, she at times seems to ask for more of my health snack bars.

The only good thing is, after I went on the diabetes diet and lost 20 pounds my blood pressure dropped to normal. I was on the smallest dose they could give me. So that's good.

I cut back to 1/2 pack of cigs a day and my oxygen readings have gone up to 97 from 93 with that little finger thing.

The last 4 years for me have been like running through life and finding myself in free fall off a big ole cliff.

The other good news is, my skin had become thin and scratches or cut easily. The Dr told me to take the same prenatal vitamin pregnant women take to help the babies skin and hair get stronger, 2 tabs a day. I also take a biotin every day. Might ask your Dr about it. I can tell the difference. My skin seems stronger, I have not had a skin cut in 3 months and the skin has more sheen, it is not dry.

I hit on most of the bad stuff recently, Dr says the lungs and heart are ok.
Hope my 70's are a little nicer. Still want to hunt deer, quail, pheasant and fish.

But I do hate carrying a 5 gallon bucket around to get on my horse.

What was the question.....????????

I was duck hunting with an, older than me, friend the other day, when my friend shot a duck. He waded out to retrieve it and proudly held it up. I yelled to him " what kind is it?" He laid down the duck, looked at his watch, and replied " It's 9:30!"

Thanks guys. Once in a while I worry about my physical abilites and memory being on the wane, but reading your accounts makes me feel a whole lot better.

My son: "Dad, you are losing your hearing."

Me: "It is thinning out a little on top."

Warning: what follows is medical advice from someone who isn't a doctor - me. I found that a lot of my energy loss was a side effect of the statin drugs I take to lower cholesterol. If you take statins and have lost energy, talk to your doctor about alternatives.

I'm 74 (for a couple more months) and I relate to nearly all of the above comments. I'm on my 3rd Simvisc shot in my left knee, and do find the "Copperfit" knee sleeves do help also. I take a pretty large handful of pills every day, and know my Dr. and his nurse by their first names. I just don't have the "gumption" to want to go out and do the things I used to do. I seriously thought about stopping shooting the winter skeet league, but I can shoot ahead a few rounds so when it is below zero I will stay home. I do wait until the temp is above 60 to take my chronograph to the range. I've been trying a lot of those lotions for arthritis, and most of them don't work very well. My hands are so stiff in the morning I have to work them quite a bit so I can just get through my bathroom duties. I only shave about every 3rd day now. BUT, don't stop, just keep moving as much as you can, if you don't use it you lose it.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I started to notice myself slowing down after 50 especially doing my rather physical job in commercial refrigeration and HVAC. I still ran with the young dogs I worked with but went home at night to soak in a tub while they went partying at night. By the time I was getting into my late 50's they fired all those young guys that used to help me lift heavy things and stupid me took it on myself to do that work. By 58 I had my first back surgery and a second one a couple years later. I was forced to retire on disability then and on a weight restriction for life but I do okay except for walking a long distance or standing a long time.
I'm almost 63 now and my drive and motivation is down now. My wife of 25 years divorced me earlier this year and I'm trying to take care of the house and property alone until it sells. Money is tight as I pay the bills alone now and court ordered to pay her support.
As much as I'd hate to I'm thinking after giving up this house and property I might be best buying a condo so I don't have the yard work I have a time doing now.
I sure wasn't expecting to be this broke down this early and being left to fend to myself as well. I should have become that doctor or lawyer my mother encouraged me to be instead.

Try the copper gloves, they did wonders for me. (made the difference in being able to shoot USPSA matches)

I'm 76 and in near perfect health except for having had cancer, diferticulitus, diabetes, popliteal anyeurysm, broken and replaced hip, poor hearing and eye sight.

I'm in such bad shape I can hardly make five minutes walking in WalMart, but I can still make eight hours at a gun show.

I hate to think how it's going to be when I get old!

Geeez! I'm in my 40's and am already starting to relate to some of the things you all are describing. Thanks for the rosy forecast for the future.

At least we all know now that we're not alone.

After a really, really, REALLY bad night (don't even ask!!!)... I think I've recovered enough now to go to the range and do some shooting.

It might be my only chance this week... or ever. Who knows at this age?

I eat a lot of pizza now.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

As your testosterone levels naturally decline with age, so too does your desire to jump on peoples' bones. Blood pressure medications that slow the heart act like a governor on an engine. They slow the rate of oxygenated blood replenishing your body so you feel fatigued more quickly.

I also find it far more difficult to retrieve information that's stored in my brain, somewhere. When I watch Jeopardy, seeing how fast contestants can spit out correct answers while I'm lost in my cobwebs, searching, I become painfully aware that my mind and body are slowly wearing out.

Some of the aging process can be slowed down through proper diet and reasonable exercise. While clean living does help, unfortunately, no one gets out of this life alive.

Ignoring it helps too. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I am almost 69 and I feel lucky compared to some of you folks. I have been retired 7 years and maybe that helps. I go to the gym almost every day and do machines and some free weights. I ride the exercise bike for 30 minutes and then walk for an hour and do 3 miles.

I had prostate cancer 9 years ago and have had minor surgery on both knees. I also had some major foot surgery 3 or so years ago. I had cataract surgery on both eyes and see better than ever. I take BP medication.

While walking on the track, I memorized all of the Presidents in order and a couple of poems and the Preamble to the Constitution. I am going to work on the Gettysburg Address next. I already know the first paragraph. There was a list of students and track records on the wall and I memorized the students in order. You have to keep your brain busy. I have a hard time recalling words and names now and then, but otherwise have a good memory.

Sometimes I think I've lost my mind though.

Sense I started going to the gym, I've noticed a bit more energy, but only a bit more. Getting proper sleep these past months because of worrying about someone's cancer as much as I do, keeps me emotionally drained. I'm actually tired going to the gym, but after 45 mins or so, I do feel energised.

According to Gunnies, R. Lee Ermey, and Highway, Marines ain't allowed to be killed or to get tired unless ordered to do so.

Geez, how could I forget, or is that symptom #104?

At age 67 on the day I retired I was getting a dime size kidney stone removed. The young yo yo messed it up, a pro fixed it and found a nickle size stone in the other kidney and fixed it.

The 2nd Doctor was in a different city, experienced. Makes lots of difference. Get a 2nd opinion if you run your fingers over their diploma and the ink is still wet.

The 1st thing I remember was waking up sort of, very groggy, getting out of bed and heading for the bathroom. I guess the catheter gives a fake need to go urge.

I'm a large boy. I was dragging 2 nurses, the IV stand, a nurses aid and my wife along with me. They were sort of squalling loudly. My wife, bless her, was in my face calmly calling my name and reminding me I was in the hospital.

Good thing it was only a bathroom trip, if it would have been a gun show urge while under meds I may not have slowed down.

Maybe I didn't. Did any one attend a gun show around Joplin, Mo 2.5 years ago? Did you see a guy in a gown dragging folks and stuff?

If you did see me, was my gown tied in the back?

No Sir, I do not like this whole aging thing one little bit!

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Stay safe people!

Old age is not for the faint of heart!

I turn 75 in 2 weeks some things I've learned along the road of hard knocks;

Youth: I can do, I'm superman

Middle age: when it starts to take all night to do what you used to do all night

old age: I can still remember how I used to chase around but I can't remember why it was so important?

Even with the ever increasing limited mobility, increasing pains, ETC, old age still beats the alternative

As long as I can still care for myself, life is MASS more better than the "dirt nap".

order a new front sight from Lyman with the ivory front bead, it adds about 20 minutes to the time I can see my sights after sundown. And really shows up on a deer's shoulder. I use a Marlin 38-55.

Old guy once told me,

"You gotta be tough to grow old"

And,

"We come in wearing diapers and go out wearing diapers"

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

If you can walk or exercise........... Do it !!
Muscle tone and heart rate is a GOOD thing.

Muscles that are not used.. shorten and get weak.
Keep it up and you will not be able to wipe your behind.

Yoga is good for you if you can find a class or light weights..... evendoing resistance in a door way or with a towel is better than nothing.

I have gone from one to two aspirin when I feel pain........
by 80 I might be taking them like M&M's or three a day ?

What was once thin, becomes thick and what was once thick, becomes thin or non-existent.
What was once hard, becomes soft and what was once soft, becomes hard.
What was once tight becomes loose and what was once loose becomes tight.

If you frequently find yourself stiff everywhere but where it counts, welcome to your senior years.

Everyone.........be sure to get your

THYROID checked. Energy level and

weight gain just two of the symptoms.

I know that all too well. My thyroid messed up and I gained about 50 pounds over about 3 years before they realized I needed to take Levithyroxin. I don't know if it helps at all sinse I've been hitting the gym. I still take it cause the doc says so, but truthfully can't see if its really doing any good.

Growing older sucks, but it beats the alternative...

I am 69. My wife went on a diet and I lost 20 lbs. I became anemic and had trouble working, and the side effect of the med means I have way too much energy for my own good. I was going to add my illness report, but after reading some of these, it would sound like boasting.

Snowed a bit, so I took the dog and shotgun out for an hour of hunting the deep swamp. I did feel cold after that. But it was all the way up to 10F and the wind was down to 15mph.

Like federali said, as your testosterone declines, you don't get frisky as much.

Had a date with my wife last Saturday night, and in preparation I ate a dozen oysters. Only nine of them worked.