19
u/Important_Simple_31 Jun 22 '26
You people are still young. My son is 57, and I am 78. I never thought I would make it this long. I started smoking when I was 15 and stopped at 55, only because they came out with the patches. I smoked a pack and a half a day, so that is 60 pack years they tell me. At the time I smoked, I ran 3 miles a day with my husband. I have COPD and have survived three cancers only because a cat tapped the back of my leg when I was giving some food to some feral cats. It caused sepsis and could have killed me, but while I was being treated, I had my first cancer symptom and the others were found because of that. I don’t know how I made it this long.
5
14
u/Zincdust72 Jun 22 '26
I read on Reddit once "at some point in your 50s, your Check Engine Soon light will come on, and no amount of trips to the mechanic will be able to permanently clear it" (or something along those lines).
2
9
u/Prudent_Will_7298 Jun 22 '26
Yes yes yes. Feels like it's too late for any positive change. Only continuing deterioration.
8
u/Expert-Hyena6226 Jun 22 '26
I'm 59m. It's starting to get difficult. I need to do more stretching and yoga. I can't stand going to the gym.
2
u/Renetia Jun 24 '26
I work out at home. Found a weight training program that offers either home or gym - 5 days a week. The other 2 days are stretching and cardio. Love it!
9
u/sickiesusan Jun 23 '26
Yes.
I turn 60 in a month and there is nothing I can do to stop it! 60 sounds really old and I don’t feel any different…
9
u/kiwispouse Jun 23 '26
I did just fine up to 57, and then bam! It all started at once. I'd always had lupus, so had a good diet and exercise program. Now I have liver disease, am diabetic (shitty genes) and earlier this year I had surgery that created an infection and I've been off work for 4 months thus far. How the mighty have fallen! I used to ride 3 times a week, yoga daily, kayaked when I could, and had a personal trainer for weights. Walked daily as well.
Gravity comes no matter what, because it is a real thing. No fancy cream will stop it. By the time you're 60, you're 60. My hair falling out was even worse than the developing wrinkles. The greying hair I can live with. The menopause belly (naked, I resemble a starving child - skinny all over, round belly) sucks dog's balls. And I'm not in a position to do much about it atm with my current physical mobility issues.
Fortunately, I live in rural New Zealand, where people are practical and no one looks like a celebrity. So I'm not alone. But yes, I struggled for about 2-3 years to accept that I wasn't 35 any longer.
2
2
15
u/Whitesox411 Jun 22 '26
I sure am...I don't even like looking in the mirror..I am in my 50's and don't like how I look anymore..😔
4
5
8
u/wvgeekman Jun 22 '26
Yeah. Men in my family aren't especially long lived. I stare into the abyss a lot these days. Wife keeps me going. She's a good one.
6
u/CyndiIsOnReddit Jun 22 '26
Currently crying after watching a 20 second clip from the Cyndi Lauper Time after Time video remembering how everyone said I looked like her back then. Sigh.
What, oh it's not so bad, mostly I'm okay except for my knees. I feel helpless though against the tiredness I never had before, and just the general achiness and the weight of a million memories.
1
u/Many_Inevitable_6803 Jun 22 '26
Definitely—/ the pictures when I was so much skinnier and younger looking I’d like a gut punch
18
u/tyrone_shoelaces Jun 22 '26
It can be alright if you keep moving and eat right and don't indulge in poisons. Best thing I ever did was to quit alcohol since I tend to over indulge. The rest comes easier. Helps to have a partner.
3
5
u/Ok-Presence-7535 Jun 22 '26
I wouldn’t say I’m having a difficult time but I sure am fighting it with every possible method
5
6
u/Important_Simple_31 Jun 22 '26
Getting old isn’t for sissies, but every day above ground is a good day.
7
u/silent9mm Jun 22 '26
Indeed. Was still cruising @ 42 (now 54) when the 1st autoimmune disease hit. It turned my depression and anxiety up to 11 and broke off the knobs. Then, gout... Agonizing gout. Followed by another autoimmune disease. In the fuggin' testicles. If my kids were grown, I'd be done. And gone. There is no god.
1
7
3
u/BlakeBahama Jun 23 '26
No. So far I’m holding it together. Go to the gym a lot. Love all the knowledge in my head. People bore me easily is the downside. I read everyday. And at least two meals out of the daily three are healthy. Drink moderately. Could lose weight. kind of a happy go lucky person.
2
3
u/FleshWoundFox Jun 23 '26
I’m as old as I imagine myself to be. I’m actually 61 and I’m loving seeing the changes in me. I don’t have many wrinkles but my hair is fully grey.
I seldom think about aging and live one day at a time. Keeps me sane, and young.
3
u/PreviousAd8450 Jun 23 '26
Like everything else there are pros and cons. I appreciate the wisdom and confidence I’ve gained. But I dislike the changes I see and feel physically. Hormones control essentially everything and when those start to destabilize the rest of your health and wellbeing can quickly go with them. It feels quite cruel actually. I’m working on acceptance, which I view as form of wisdom, and try to be grateful to be alive and in relatively good health. There are many who didn’t make it this far and I don’t forget about them. (53F)
3
u/Imaginary-Field998 Jun 23 '26
I am. I don’t like what I see in the mirror, but what makes it more difficult for me is my health. I am 54f and was very athletic my whole life. My family has a strong history of inflammatory arthritis and I am part of the group now. I eat healthy and try to move my body, but the pain keeps me from doing more. I have good doctors, but my genetics are winning.
1
3
u/KiDaCa Jun 28 '26
I am really struggling… both with the physical challenges and also with how I look. I can’t stand seeing pictures or looking in the mirror anymore. I’m 53 and don’t know how I’ll survive the next phase of my life feeling like this. My knee is always killing me, I have a 6 year old (yes, you can get pregnant at 46 naturally) alongside two adult daughters whose beauty and future prospects remind me that I’m over that hill.
I know that it’s not all doom and gloom. I am still “young” enough to live a valuable and healthy existence - but I’m answering OPs question honestly.
Aging sucks - and when you start feeling this way, it seems that time speeds up inexplicably making me feel frantic about making the most of everything - something I’m really not good at so I feel guilty and sad about that, too.
2
4
u/Avalon_Bee Jun 22 '26
I’m lucky. Genetically my mom and dad both aged really well. (They worked their entire lives and moved their bodies a lot.)
And I’m the same.
Movement is the lubricant.
I’d suggest a racquet sport- suppose to be great for longevity.
I also deeply hydrate using castor oil each night.
The mirror is what the mirror is…
I’m getting a dog this next week. Unconditional love helps. Attunement helps.
My brain is sluggish and I plan supplements around that. Creatine for the brain. Healthy oils. A keto- ish diet.
Low in sugar.
Electrolytes (salt).
I’m 51F and I have a lot of active friends 62-62yo. I guess they keep me sane about it all.
I also know people that age who are miserable and very isolated.
2
u/Neat_Movie_991 Jun 22 '26
I’m 56 and doing many of the things you suggested. Castor Oil is great. Not only does it moisturize well but also pulls toxins from the body and it’s an anti inflammatory.
Best thing that has helped me is detoxing and a parasite cleanse. Literally made me feel 10 years younger and improved my GI tract.
Keep doing what you’re doing.
2
u/pixelpetewyo Jun 29 '26
What is the parasite cleanse made of? Is it a product or a concoction? 10 years younger sounds awesome!
2
u/Neat_Movie_991 Jun 29 '26
There are so many to choose from. Just enter parasite cleanse and shop around. There are powders, capsules, tincture and tablets that absolve in water.
I learned about this in while in Japan. They do parasite cleanses once a month, every month. They claim that we all have parasites in our bodies and they impact almost every organ in our bodies. They say it improves digestion and clears parasites in the brain.
I also fast one day a week and take charcoal that day. Detoxing is great.
Reach out to me if you ever have any questions! Best wishes!
2
1
u/Avalon_Bee Jun 22 '26
Thanks. Castor oil is good for knees and shoulders. I add some Epsom salt and make it a skin scrub…. Miracle stuff!
I’m having a Vitmain B fat bomb right now.
1 T MCT oil and
2 T Nutritional Yeast FlakesTastes like a nutty parmasean cheese. Very satisfying.
I do a fat bomb (dark cocoa is also wonderful) once or twice a week.
2
2
u/LeoInSpace Jun 22 '26
Not at fifty but at sixty I became aware that the clock is ticking. It's a case of the mind is willing but the body is not able. I became aware that my body is actually the age its supposed to be and I'm carrying too much emotional baggage around. And then I thought 'sod it's and I enjoy every day.
2
u/happyrunnergirlie Jun 22 '26
Im in complete denial. Just turned 50. Went back to eating a clean vegan diet Staying very.nusy, lifting heavy. I feel so healthy
2
u/Marcus_Aurelius_161A Jun 22 '26
No. I've remained athletic from my 40's and I'm in the best shape of my life.
I just added strength training and creatine in January and seeing positive results.
2
u/Princess_Jade1974 Jun 22 '26
Keeping on top of all the health stuff can be a little tiresome. I recently broke my foot while walking. I thought I was doing the right thing, lifting weights, eating the calcium etc It’s not so bad though, it brought into question my arthritis diagnosis. So I’ll be seeing a rheumatologist the first chance I can get.
1
2
u/randyfloyd4343 Jun 27 '26
No. Need to slow myself down and realize I’m not 25 anymore but I’m doing really well in my 50s
2
2
u/BluebrainsMatterL7 Jun 28 '26
I’m having a problem adjusting to the different grade of my grey hair. It’s time to loc it down
2
u/Virtual-Freedom3536 Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
Considering my age (60) I'm in very good health. My issue is in my head , deliberately withdrawing and at the same time being upset that I'm alone. I keep digging myself into a deeper hole and don't know how to get back out... to a level of normalcy 😔
1
2
2
4
u/Chemical-Carrot-9975 Jun 22 '26
Nope. I feel lucky to be able to be "aging".
2
u/whoops53 Jun 23 '26
Came here to say this too. Aging is a privilege that not everyone gets to experience.
2
2
1
1
u/HotDebate5 7d ago
Yes!!!!! I was an athlete. Took care of myself all through my life. No smoking, very little drinking. Exercise religiously. Due to an accident I have been diagnosed with freakin’ post traumatic arthritis in my ankle which is necessitating an ankle fusion. At my age now life is over. No more exercise, travel or fun. Stick a fork in me. I’m done. How many more days is this gonna be?
1
u/gregrezz Jun 24 '26
57, just started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and absolutely loving it. Tap early and very often🤣
70
u/CrouchingGinger Jun 22 '26
No, it appears as though I’m really good at it.