Slowing down - what do you do about it?

A lot of us, as we age, slow down our physical activity.  For instance, ailments like arthritis can make exercise painful causing us to avoid it.  We don't move as fast as we once did and sometimes get tired more quickly.

Tell us what you do about it.  How do you compensate for the aging process and turn a negative into a positive for living?

And I thought it was just me! 

I am about to turn 62.  For about the past three years, I've detected a definite change in my physical abilities both in terms of strength and stamina.  I am a do-it-yourselfer and always have been able to tackle almost any task around the house but lately, I find myself not up to some lifting and am unable to work continuously on any physical task.

I noticed it significantly several years ago when the hotel I was staying at on business had an elevator interruption.  I was only on the 8th floor, so I took the stairs and in my usual gusto went up them two at a time.  By the time I hit the 4th floor I was gasping for air!  That never happened to me before.  Since I get regular medical checkups, I felt pretty sure that nothing was seriously wrong - and when I talked about it with my Doctor, he said it was the natural course of aging.

I am still able to take the one flight of stairs to my office at work two at a time, but I consciously now not only pace myself, but take frequent breaks when I am doing anything physical.

This summer, the big house project was to replace worn deck planks with composite wood not only for improvement but to move to a maintenance free situation.  What I thought might take a couple of weekends has lasted well over two months.  When I block out a day to work, I find that I can only work for about a half-hour at a time and then need a rest.  That can really slow a project down!  But I'm almost done now - the only difference in the finished job: it took longer.

Because I still 'feel' 18 years old inside (thank goodness!), I have to remind myself frequently to slow down and not be as exuberant as I used to.  This is important, because injury can occur easily if you try to push these older muscles and bones too hard.  I hurt my back three years ago moving a bathtub and, while I fortunately fully recovered, what my Doctor advises is true: when it starts to hurt, stop.

So, I compensate for my age by taking my time and being patient with myself and just accepting that things are going to take longer than they used to.  Knowing my limitations is important.  And, I need to accept that what I cannot do, I have to get someone else to do.

I am 73 with pre-diabetes, hypothyroid disease, and am 160 lbs. overweight.  I have been slowing down for the past 7 years or so.  I used to be able to walk a mile or so without it bothering me, but since 2002 or so, if I walk any distance, I am dead the rest of the day.   I had lost tons of weight twice, and some weight a few times, but lately am not able to lose at all, and am constantly hungry.  The thing now is bariatric surgery for people with diabetes, but after consulting with 2 of the best in this area, I am not a candidate due to some scar tissue from my previous gallbladder surgery where they cut me from stem to stern. 

Like you, I used to do a lot of things around my home like assemble furniture, etc., plus work full time and perform on stage in a theater.  I was laid off almost 2 years ago, and am too big and have too little energy to handle being on stage any more, and forget any projects or trying to find another job.  I don't even want to cook for myself any more. 

I try to be patient with myself, but my son and DIL are always goading me to start exercising and the weight will come off - but they don't have my diseases yet so they don't understand.   They are finally beginning to understand that I cannot walk as fast or as far as I used to - but thank goodness, I can still walk, just not very far.   But I still get lectured about how I could do so much better if I would just go to the gym or try to lose.  Oh well.  I will keep on keeping on and hope to find something that will reduce my appetite.  That's my big problem right now.

I will be 61 in a few weeks, and I'm 100 pounds overweight.  Of course I realize I am 12 years younger than you, and I am not experiencing all of the problems that you are.  I, too, have difficulty walking for any distance.  I have, instead, purchased a recumbant bike.  I got it at a discount store, so it wasn't nearly as expensive as joining a gym.  I plunked it right down in front of my television.  I find it's much easier on my knees, it has pre-programmed workouts that increase in intensity, and it can also monitor my heart rate so I don't over-exert.  

As far as being hungry all the time, try eating 6 small meals a day with equal amounts of protein and carbs.  Drink lots of water.  And as much as you don't want to, fix meals for yourself.  Fresh foods are healthier, lower in salt and sugar, and much more satisfying.  For example, I had one piece of turkey bacon and two eggs for breakfast.  I often make a large container of egg salad or tuna salad with lots of celery and onion and even fresh broccoli and carrots in it.  I put this in a low carb pita (in your grocer's refrigerator case...just ask for them.)  I use this for lunch and sometimes for small snacks.  I usually have a huge salad for supper...lots of fresh greens, a tomato, some grilled chicken or fish over the top just like the restaurants do. (No cheese.)  Check out the salad dressings listed in the foods part of this site and choose one that has a high nutrition rating.  Sometimes instead of the salad, I stir fry some well-trimmed beef or pork with lots of veggies.  Be sure and use onions and garlic for extra flavor.  I live alone and these are fast easy ways that I can cook for myself, enjoy my food, and still lose weight.  

Start reading labels.  Nutritional labels are there for a reason.  I find when I exercise on my bike and I see how long it takes to burn calories, I tend to not buy the higher calorie foods.  

Oh, I've lost 10 pounds this first month.  Not a lot, but I haven't deprived myself either...except for ice cream.  I love ice cream, and at this point, I have sworn off it for a while.

So good luck.  I'll watch for further posts from you, and try to support you in your quest.

Gail

I am 62 and I have always had a desk job, now that I am home all the time I can no longer use no time as an excuse.  I have tried to plan my day with at least an hour each of doing things I like. Such as 1 hour for walking or swimming; not I can't do an hour all at once so I break it into 1/2 hour segments, I also bought a kitty stroller for my 17 year old cat and I'm hoping that will be motivation.

I do find that walking does not lead to huffing and puffing like swimming does so I guess that means I need to swim more.

As yet I don't have any physical limitations other than being overweight and slower than my friends who are not.

My husband is the original couch potato so he really is not suportive and will not join me for a walk or swim, but I keep trying to get him to move a little.

Sheryl

I wish my cat would take to a kitty stroller, but he freaks out at being confined for any reason.  My neighbor has one and her cat loves going for his walkies. 

You're doing a nice job compensating.  Good for you!

Thanks, I'm determined to make this work for me.

I'm hearing a lot of myself in the posts about "slowing down" with age, and I can't push a task as long as I used to. But I've found solice in re-learning the Yoga breathing techniques I learned in college.

I had moderate to severe asthma as a child and into college but learned Yoga breathing exercises. I learned to focus on breathing out, which releases pent up carbon dioxide and opens the lungs to take in more oxygen. Now, I use the technique before starting a walk, climbing 8 flights of stairs, or shoveling a foot of sunshine off my Arizona sidewalk! It really helps extend the time I can push a physical task.

Caveat: I'm not an expert on yoga, though I have lifelong experience with breathing! If you think learning breathing techniques might help you, please find a yoga class with an instructor who believes and teaches breathing.

BTW, many fitness centers offer classes, but the instructors shy away from the breathing because they are about relaxation and are very "internal". Most folks are more interested in sweating and feeling "the burn". Talk to the instructor.

Slim

Breathing exercises really do help.  I learned how in cardio-pulmonary rehab.  It enabled me to get off oxygen.  Now I use it just to feel energized.

I too have found yoga and the breathing exercises that go with have always helped me along.  I have tried going back to yoga a few times, but I find that my weight  makes it impossible to do the assanas with proper form.  I have managed to lose 6.5 pounds since I reenlisted so to speak in October so you can see what a challenge weight loss is for me.  The breathing will indeed get you though a lot though and everyone would  benefit from using it.

Sheryl