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Myself, and many other people I know, who are 55-60, tell me they just don't feel that great. We are all early retirees who felt that if we quit work earlier than the traditional age of 65, we would have more time for travel, sports, and hiking, etc. But while our minds are still sharp, we are honest with each other and say, we just don't feel that great. Our bodies are stiff and sore, we don't sleep well, our energy level is low and it is hard to make it up the steps, let alone walk a long distance.
While an active early retirement in your late 50s sounds great in theory, I suspect that many of us feel like are 70- not 59. Can you relate? How do you really feel? Be HONEST now!
I feel great! I'll soon be 73 and still have (almost) as much energy as I've always had. I keep hoping I'll feel like slowing down but it doesn't happen. I am now working full time, working on my new home...started painting the interior and EVERY room needs it...and thinking about what to do with my yard. I think just having all these things to do is what keeps me going sometimes. If I had nothing to do, nowhere to go, etc. I might feel worse but I don't really know.
I sleep very well. I have my 'aches and pains' but they are more annoying than anything. A couple of Bayer Back and Body puts me in pretty good shape when my back muscles act up, or my arthritis threatens to start up. I have no problem with going up and down steps/stairs and could still walk long distances if I wanted/needed to.
Some guy at work last week told me I shouldn't be "running up and down ladders", at 'my age'. LOL If I could afford to have all the work done on my house I probably wouldn't BUT I think being as active as I HAVE to be keeps me going just fine. And I have PLANS which I believe helps too.
I suspect that most of the replies will be from people who feel great, or at least try to tell us they feel great. (It is similar to the trend where no one will admit they look 60, when they are 60. (Most people SAY they look and feel younger than their real age.) I admit, I am 59 and feel and look every day of 59, and more!
I don't think anyone is going to lie about how they feel. I know I look my age and don't care. Actually, it isn't me who says anything about how I look/act etc. but I think people mistake me for younger because of my personality/attitude, not my looks. I'm happy to have made it this far. Not sure I FEEL my age because nobody has ever been able to tell me how any particular age is 'supposed' to look/act/feel.
Although I am sorry you are not feeling well, casting doubt on the honesty of other posters is not conducive to a rational and objective discussion. In other words, all that does is irritate people. Who among us enjoys being called a liar?
It's all the more a shame because you have initiated a good, legitimate topic for discussion, and you yourself have been honest about your situation. You might benefit from, and feel better for, adopting the physical activity practices of at least one person who has already posted here.
Hmmmm...I probably should read the entire thread before I start posting. lol And I agree that nobody is going to lie about things like this. Why would they?
As a medical professional, I am curious about all of the knee problems in relatively young people. Knees are certainly vulnerable as we age so I am very sympathetic, too. Were these stress-related, in some way?
I'm sometimes really surprised that I don't have leg/knee/hip problems at my age simply because of the work I've done all my life. I worked mostly in waitressing for over 30 years, pounding those floors for many many hours, and yet I have no problems. I've had sit down jobs over the years as well but I think I've always felt better with jobs that, more or less, 'forced' me to be active. I also know people who've done about the same and DO have problems. Most of them a lot younger than me.
I feel great! I'll soon be 73 and still have (almost) as much energy as I've always had. I keep hoping I'll feel like slowing down but it doesn't happen. I am now working full time, working on my new home...started painting the interior and EVERY room needs it...and thinking about what to do with my yard. I think just having all these things to do is what keeps me going sometimes. If I had nothing to do, nowhere to go, etc. I might feel worse but I don't really know.
I sleep very well. I have my 'aches and pains' but they are more annoying than anything. A couple of Bayer Back and Body puts me in pretty good shape when my back muscles act up, or my arthritis threatens to start up. I have no problem with going up and down steps/stairs and could still walk long distances if I wanted/needed to.
Some guy at work last week told me I shouldn't be "running up and down ladders", at 'my age'. LOL If I could afford to have all the work done on my house I probably wouldn't BUT I think being as active as I HAVE to be keeps me going just fine. And I have PLANS which I believe helps too.
Wow, AZDesertBrat! I really enjoyed reading your post. You are definitely doing something right! So important to have plans! A place to go and do something every day. Doing what you enjoy. Don't let anybody stop you! I live in an apartment and going to soon move to another apartment in NC. I am retired. And I really hate to admit it but I'm pretty darned bored. And lazy. And weigh too much. I've kind of lost my pep and ambition. Moving is not easy even with a van to help with the heavy stuff.
I'm thrilled about my move, I love the mountains and hope to spend some time enjoying them. And of course now and then a drive to the ocean will be wonderful. But in between times, I can't afford to just wile away my time like I'm doing now.
My oldest sister is in Hospice care at the nursing home she has resided at for a long time. I get pretty depressed about that..... and I do give myself a break when I realize I am sad. Other family difficulties get me down, too. I know my move is part of a plan to escape the family thing. I so need to leave to get my life on track and enjoy what is left of it.
I'm sometimes really surprised that I don't have leg/knee/hip problems at my age simply because of the work I've done all my life. I worked mostly in waitressing for over 30 years, pounding those floors for many many hours, and yet I have no problems. I've had sit down jobs over the years as well but I think I've always felt better with jobs that, more or less, 'forced' me to be active. I also know people who've done about the same and DO have problems. Most of them a lot younger than me.
I wonder about that also - might be excess weight?
I did have issues with my left leg at one time before I retired, but it was examined, x-rayed, MRI'd, and they couldn't find the problem.
My left knee does hurt a bit when I do certain exercises, but not like what I hear from some people not much older or even younger than me.
And I too spent years on my feet while wearing heavy combat boots. Lots of running and trudging too.
I try to take care of my feet by buying good supportive shoes.
Wow, AZDesertBrat! I really enjoyed reading your post. You are definitely doing something right! So important to have plans! A place to go and do something every day. Doing what you enjoy. Don't let anybody stop you! I live in an apartment and going to soon move to another apartment in NC. I am retired. And I really hate to admit it but I'm pretty darned bored. And lazy. And weigh too much. I've kind of lost my pep and ambition. Moving is not easy even with a van to help with the heavy stuff.
I'm thrilled about my move, I love the mountains and hope to spend some time enjoying them. And of course now and then a drive to the ocean will be wonderful. But in between times, I can't afford to just wile away my time like I'm doing now.
My oldest sister is in Hospice care at the nursing home she has resided at for a long time. I get pretty depressed about that..... and I do give myself a break when I realize I am sad. Other family difficulties get me down, too. I know my move is part of a plan to escape the family thing. I so need to leave to get my life on track and enjoy what is left of it.
I've been following your 'journey' and sometimes wish I could wave a magic wand and make things good for you. I think a lot of your 'problem' is plain old depression and with what you've got going on...choosing a place to live, prepping to move, plus your sister...that's no big surprise. I've had my bouts with depression and it's always been "situational stuff" that I just couldn't do anything about at the time.
Sometimes a major move can be 'just what the doctor ordered' even though it IS an ordeal. Even after you've moved there you will still have things going that depress you...like your sister's situation. And I hope you don't feel worse and like you are 'leaving her'. And the thing with your daughter too. You have a lot on your plate, a lot to think about and, yeah, that can all be pretty depressing sometimes.
I don't know how you are doing for friends but I really think that we all need at least one or two good friends in our lives. Someone who has our back, will listen when we need them to and just BE THERE for us. Cheaper than therapy! lol I have one friend to my name here and we don't see one another, or even talk on the phone much, but we both know that the other is there when we need them. We've been friends for about 20 years now so a long time relationship. I hope you have some good friends no matter where you live.
I wonder about that also - might be excess weight?
I did have issues with my left leg at one time before I retired, but it was examined, x-rayed, MRI'd, and they couldn't find the problem.
My left knee does hurt a bit when I do certain exercises, but not like what I hear from some people not much older or even younger than me.
And I too spent years on my feet while wearing heavy combat boots. Lots of running and trudging too.
I try to take care of my feet by buying good supportive shoes.
Most of the people I know who have those problems are overweight.
You might have done something to your left leg/knee when you were a kid and don't remember. I can pinpoint the causes of mine pretty easily if I think about it. I've managed to hurt my hands/wrists a few times and that's resulted in some arthritis. And both big toe joints! Fortunately they bother me very seldom. My doc told me, at one time, that I had some gout as well but most of the foods I shouldn't eat, I don't eat anyway. Cherries and cherry juice are good for gout but they are soooo expensive! I did take meds for that for a short time but I may still have it and can't tell the difference between arthritis and gout I guess. Both feel the same, to me, and are uncomfortable sometimes but not terrible.
Military life is pretty good for keeping people in shape, I would think. My ex was always on my butt about the shoes I wore. He swore they weren't good for the jobs I was doing but I've survived. Right now I'm still wearing my $10 Walmart athletic shoes with good inserts. Works for me. lol I've been there five years now and am on my 3rd pair. Not too bad, considering.
As a medical professional, I am curious about all of the knee problems in relatively young people. Knees are certainly vulnerable as we age so I am very sympathetic, too. Were these stress-related, in some way?
I've always been a somewhat active person.....always on my feet.....worked as an Auto Tech for 20+ years, and currently working as a second shift Custodian, so both occupations have kept me on my feet, and I do a lot of outdoor activities and chores, so I figured I just plumb wore my knees out (Miniscus twice in Left Knee, once in Right Knee....Ulnar Nerve in both Elbows). Hit 50, and started falling apart, but that's okay, just keep chuggin' along and keep doing what I can, till I can't anymore.
Most of the people I know who have those problems are overweight.
You might have done something to your left leg/knee when you were a kid and don't remember. I can pinpoint the causes of mine pretty easily if I think about it. I've managed to hurt my hands/wrists a few times and that's resulted in some arthritis. And both big toe joints! Fortunately they bother me very seldom. My doc told me, at one time, that I had some gout as well but most of the foods I shouldn't eat, I don't eat anyway. Cherries and cherry juice are good for gout but they are soooo expensive! I did take meds for that for a short time but I may still have it and can't tell the difference between arthritis and gout I guess. Both feel the same, to me, and are uncomfortable sometimes but not terrible.
Military life is pretty good for keeping people in shape, I would think. My ex was always on my butt about the shoes I wore. He swore they weren't good for the jobs I was doing but I've survived. Right now I'm still wearing my $10 Walmart athletic shoes with good inserts. Works for me. lol I've been there five years now and am on my 3rd pair. Not too bad, considering.
my sisters love their sketchers slip on shoes.
I've been wearing Teva sandals for every day wear. They have straps since I can't wear thong type shoes. And I can garden in them and they wash up easily. The foot bed is not slippery when they get wet. That was a problem I had with other flip flop type shoes.
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