There are a lot of things about getting older that hit you right between the eyes. Like a hammer. Fifty is the turning point. People can say what they want about forty, but it’s pretty much an awesome decade. In retrospect, anyway.
Why don’t older people, those who have been through it all, tell us this? Why aren’t we prepared for all the things that begin to happen to our bodies once we hit the big 5-0? Who is to blame for keeping this information a secret? Who are they, who are keeping us in the dark?
Who's keeping this stuff a secret? 12 important things nobody says about getting older. #aging #fitness #healthyagingClick To Tweet
What they don’t tell us about getting older
Well, maybe they do, but who’s listening when you’re in your twenties? Well, take note now, youngsters, because I’m about to take away your illusions (or maybe confirm your suspicions) about getting older. You’d better write them down, though, because chances are you’ll forget by the time you get there. Which brings us to number one on the list…
You will forget things
Quite possibly the first thing you’ll notice as you get a little older. Where are those keys? Why did I walk into this room? It will expand to “what is your name?” all too soon. I like to tell myself that it is because we have so much important stuff floating around in our head that there is no more room for the small stuff. Now let me move on to the rest of this post before I forget what I wanted to say.
Getting up in the morning is hard.
All of a sudden, instead of hopping out of bed ready to attack the day, slipping on my running shoes to dash out the door, I find I’m…slower. It takes longer to loosen up those muscles and wake up that brain. I have started doing stretches, in bed, before I dare to stand up. That first cup of coffee means even more than it used to.
That is, if you make it to morning
I really don’t think that my bladder has shrunk, but it’s a rare night that I make it all the way through without a pee.
You will suddenly grow hair on your chin
Where do the damn things come from? I check daily. Then one day I will see a chin hair that is about an inch long, like it just sprung through overnight.
Your body hurts
Even beyond those first few steps in the morning, I have pain in places I never thought about before. My back, my hip, my shoulder. I’ve been told that I have the knee of an 80-year-old. My hands hurt too, the first signs of arthritis I’m sure.
Wrinkles
Everyone knows you get wrinkles on your face and neck, but did you know you get wrinkles on your legs too? There have been many times when I’m running and I look down at my legs and I’m shocked that those are my legs. I don’t even wear shorts anymore when I do yoga!
Hot flashes
Even with menopausal symptoms pretty well under control, my body temperature can increase dramatically within seconds, even as I’m sitting in my chair.
Balance
Remember when you were a kid (for someone my age that’s anyone under 35)? You could hop on a fence and tightrope walk without a thought, with no fear of tumbling. I take no such chances anymore, because, even though my balance is pretty good (for my age is the silent thought), and I work on it daily, I realize that my balance has deteriorated.
Floaters
I mentioned my floaters when I had my retina detachment scare a few years ago. In case you’re young and you don’t know what they are, floaters are little bits of residue that appear in your vision. They look like little spots or fish, or even, as in my case, a largish spider. They happen, of course, when you get older.
Thinning eyebrows
Apparently my eyebrows, never thick to begin with, are now sprouting on my chin. Add a little grey along with thin eyebrows and I look like I’ve been playing with matches.
Weight Control
I’m a runner. I’m a vegan. I lead an active lifestyle. Yet still I struggle to maintain my weight. Damn menopause.
Your feet grow!
This was one of the cruelest things of all. My feet have grown almost two sizes! It’s gravity, you know. The longer you stand (or run) on them, the flatter (and bigger) they get.
How to fight back
Don’t despair. All is not lost. While getting older is no cup of tea, there are a lot of things that make it wonderful.
Like grandchildren
Confidence
Retirement
There are certain parts of aging that we all have to put up with, no matter how far away it may seem. But, we can prepare. Staying fit, with a reasonable exercise program, will hold off aging for years. Make sure you work on strength, flexibility and balance! Eating a healthful diet, with lean protein, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and avoiding additives, sugars, and trans fats will help too.
And while we can’t always create happiness, we can take pleasure in the small things, enjoy our family, and always, dance like no one is watching.
What scares you most about getting older? What are you looking forward to?
And Now It’s Time for the Runners Roundup!
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Deborah, Lisa, Jenn, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
Fit Five Friday with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida
Ultimate Coffee Date with Deborah and Coco
I am experiencing some of these and I am in my early 40s! But overall 40s seem great, at least so far. I really dont want my sleep to get any worse than it already is!
As I said, in retrospect. Lol. And most of your sleep issues are two young children. I feel for you.
The hot flashes just need to stop. I have zero problem getting up in the morning… my eyes pop open at 4:30AM, ready or not LOL!
Sometimes, I care about the weight and wrinkles and hair, but most of the time, I consider it a gift to be alive long enough to have to deal with those things. Not the hot flashes though. Screw them.
I hate to tell you this but at age 67, 17 years since menopause, I still get hot flashes at night.
All of the above but as they say the alternative is worse.
What scares me is dementia which is much worse that anything physical.
Looking forward to my grand child getting older so I can do more things with her before I get too old.
Dementia is so scary. I work with a lot of seniors so I’ve seen the devastating effects first hand. Getting older can be so cruel. I’ll bet your an awesome grandma!
I’m 57 and I’m wondering why I have to get bigger shoe sizes!
But I love how you shift the focus at the end: we can fight back. Just yesterday I read this quote: “Exercise is the single habit that can reverse your biological age.”
Strength training, stretching, balance work – they’re our secret weapons!
You must be doing everything right, you’re amazing at 57! Except the bigger feet thing. That’s out of our control. 🙂