How old is 'Too old'?

pollypenny

Never too old. If you want to do it, do it. If you don't succeed that doesn't matter. It's good to keep doing new things, testing yourself. 

I'm surprised about the amount of hard physical work I managed in the garden in the summer and autumn. 

Not keen on my bingo wings, though. 

MovingForwards

Age is just a number, it's how you feel and what you do which makes a difference.

My OH is chewing my ear off about getting an all terrain mobility scooter so I can get out and about, see different places and have a great time. I keep saying I'm too young and they're too expensive, yet moan I want to go up hills, go around lochs and am too stubborn to buy one (plus I don't have the spare money at the moment)!

Honestly, everyone should make the most of their time as no one has a BBE date for advance warning.

jennystarpepper

DevilsAdvocate1 said:

You're not too old.  My mum's friend is in her 80s and does belly dancing once a week.  Don't be like my nana - she spent her whole life on a diet, even though she wasn't fat.  She weighed eight and a half stone and though she should be one stone lighter.  She always wore the same homemade dresses.  When she died we found wardrobes full of gorgeous brand new dresses - all unworn, all with the tags on, and all 1 size too small.  She spent her whole life waiting to wear those dresses and never did.  This is why I decided I would never diet.

Live life while you're here.  Age is just a number, don't think about it.  Just do the things you want to do while you are still able.

This is great advice.

I've a friend who recently has been given less than a year to live, we are one year apart in age and the total opposite, she is tall and slim (which I would love to be).  I don't want to live my life going without a few treats for the sake of a few frocks and a pair of tight jeans.  My friends sad news has given me a shock and made me realise life is very short.   

Make a list of what you would like to do, apparently you achieve more if you write your goals down!  

I've started going abroad at Christmas, I must say as British we are much more reserved than our European neighbour's, I see them all shapes and sizes getting stripped off and relaxing and they do not give any F's.  Please don't dress how you think others/ society thinks you should, wear what you want.  

[Deleted User]

Your post made me think of this poem by Jenny Joseph, I hope you like it:

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people’s gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

silverwhistle

swingaloo2 said:

I want to go to the Northern Soul nights at the local club (when lockdown is over) but I dont want to look like a granny dancer.

Remember the old adage about 'Dance as if no one is looking', and if they are who gives a monkeys anyway?

Everything is possible, attitude helps so much. In three months time I get my state pension. Hopefully full lockdown will be over as I want to share my event with the girls in the 11-a-side football team I play for - and they are girls, some of them. I've slowed down, naturally, but I still push myself in training and come off the bench with a skip and a smile. Fewer minutes as time goes by but nearly a whole game at the start of the season when we were short. Yes, the muscles ache the following day but the feeling of satisfaction  is great. There's a lady who plays in the Lancashire Leagues at 72 so there's competition. But school was compulsory hockey, and there is nobody to stop me playing now.

So, no excuses, you just need to push yourself a little bit and you are _so_ going to enjoy your Northern Soul evenings when they restart. Oh, and let us know what bike you get. :-:smile:

helensbiggestfan

Hi Swingaloo  

Sounds like you have a touch of the Lockdown Blues.  Hardly surprising. But hey, we are half way through January and spring is on its way. They are rolling out the vaccines and there's light at the end of the tunnel.  I am sure you will feel brighter in a few weeks. 

In the meantime there's lots you can do to get  ready - starring with your mindset.  As others have said age is no barrier to either good health or having fun.  Assuming you have a decent genetic inheritance and no serious health issues there's no reason why you can't live life to the full for another 20 years or so.  

I have met plenty of 90 year olds who could put people half their age to shame, travelling, doing sport, dressing up every day and just generally having a rare old time.  

I am 69 and a widow, so living alone through lockdown has been a bit tedious at times but I keep active, stay in touch with my friends and loved ones and am full of plans and ideas for all the things I intend to do once we are able to get out and about again.  One of which is starting a little business, another one is joining some dance classes. I already do Bollywoood dancing and salsa by following them on Netflix.  And why not go to the northern soul night and dance the night away, you won't be the only mature person there.  I would say most of the clientele who go are not youngsters.  

If you are needing a bit of encouragement and motivation pop over to the Health and Beauty section where you will find a thread called Frump to Fab.  We don't bite. 😂. 

This year I will be 70.  My birthday is in July and  I have set myself a challenge to be "Sensational at Seventy". Losing weight, getting fit and healthy, looking chic and stylish and living my best life ever.  

Swingaloo. Wear those hats with panache and forget the bingo wings, who cares.  If you have two fully functioning arms that's all that matters.  No one who is pushing 70 has the same body they had at 30, but with a bit of work and effort you can stay active and healthy well into old age, looking and feeling good. 

 You can dress well, get your hair done and wear some slap. You can still look good and feel wonderful, living a life full of joire de vie.  

Its all in the mindset.  

Pollycat

swingaloo2 said:

Think maybe I have too much time on my hands with lockdown but lately Ive started to think very much in terms of 'How long have I got left'. Im hoping 20 years or so but at the same time Im starting to feel the effects of age on my body more than I would like.
Ive got to retirement and have so much time but not enough money to cruise the world and not enough energy to change it!.
 Im almost 69 and in good health,but I am a bit overweight. I have some good friends most of whom are 10 to 15 years younger than me.  I work as a volunteer with a lovely group of ladies most of whom are older than me. Without wishing to sound awful I tend to think of the ladies I work with as being quite 'old'  even though there is only maybe a difference of 10 years max between us.
Im active, Ive been wallpapering all weekend and  I hate being beaten at anything but I know I will ache tomorrow. This morning I was removing a lot of ivy from the fencing around the front of the house (Ive recently moved and Ive now got a largish garden which I have so many plans for when the weather gets a bit better) and I was looking round at what needed doing and spotted some large containers which I want moving from the front of the house to the back. Now a couple of years ago I would have managed to move them myself but I know I cant now do it and I feel really bothered by that. Ive become a bit 'maudlin' about things. Ive been sat here thinking about all the things I really wanted to do and didn't. I wanted a push bike for years but had nowhere to keep one or worked long hours etc, etc. Now I have time and space I think Im too old to be wobbling down the road.  Ive always been a jeans/trousers person but now I see and want all these pretty summer dresses but now my legs are fat, I cant do high heels and my arms are too flabby for sleeveless.
Until about 4 years ago I used to go out running with my son (only locally, no marathons) and when I took the dog for a walk I would go 5 times the distance I go now. 
I suddenly feel a bit like its all downhill form here and Im not ready for that. My mind is definately more active than my body and I find it so frustrating. I want to wear big hats but think I would look like an eccentric old dear!.  I want to go to the Northern Soul nights at the local club (when lockdown is over) but I dont want to look like a granny dancer.
I did have a silly moment last week when I looked through the window at the snow and wanted to lie down and make a snow angel, so I did, my husband thought I was mad. 
When my sisters had children I was the one they referred to as 'our silly auntie' because I was the one they did fun stuff with but now they are all grown and there are things you cant do alone without getting arrested! 
Im just feeling a bit like its almost over in a 'Im getting too old to be doing that' kind of way and I dont like it. Is it just me ?

Not sure who said this (it's been attributed to several people, including Mark Twain):

Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
Dance like nobody’s watching,
and live like it’s heaven on earth.

If you're in good health, start doing exercises at home. You can find routines on Youtube - look at Joe Wicks.

If you're looking at people 10 years older than you and thinking they're old, you have the right mindset.

If you want a big hat, buy one. I've been wearing hats of all styles for at least 30 years.

If you want a pretty dress, go out and buy it. I'm sure people won't be looking at a 65+ lady and criticising their legs and flabby arms.

You don't need high heels, flat sandals are better - or even trainers.

I have a Next summer dress that I wear with Doc Marts, not the usual style

My Mum told me 35 years ago that I was too old to wear Doc Marts.

I'm still wearing them - I'm 67.

So to answer your question - you're never too old.

amanda_p

I am the same age as you and you are never too old for anything. I belong to our local leisure centre/gym. I participate in 10 classes every week. I do Body Attack,Body Pump, HIIT, Spin and Body Balance. I can do press ups, both chest and triceps on my feet not knees, I can burpee and tuck jump as well as the 30 year olds. I also have wear and tear in one hip joint. The doctor told me to keep moving to keep the hip joint well supported. In Lockdown I do the Live classes at home supplied by the gym.
I have lots of energy,mental health is brilliant, due to the free endorphins gained from exercising. A lot of people remark they could never do it, it's too hard but actually they could, a lot of it is the mental attitude. Yes I ache, all the time, something always aches but who cares. My friend who is the same age as me is completely different, does no exercise at all, walks slowly,has trouble going up and downstairs. But she can't or won't see the benefit of regular exercise. I wear floaty dresses,shorts and a bikini on holiday.
Life is short,live it to the best of your ability, do and wear what makes you happy,whatever that might be.

hb2

Pollycat said:

swingaloo2 said:

Think maybe I have too much time on my hands with lockdown but lately Ive started to think very much in terms of 'How long have I got left'. Im hoping 20 years or so but at the same time Im starting to feel the effects of age on my body more than I would like.
Ive got to retirement and have so much time but not enough money to cruise the world and not enough energy to change it!.
 Im almost 69 and in good health,but I am a bit overweight. I have some good friends most of whom are 10 to 15 years younger than me.  I work as a volunteer with a lovely group of ladies most of whom are older than me. Without wishing to sound awful I tend to think of the ladies I work with as being quite 'old'  even though there is only maybe a difference of 10 years max between us.
Im active, Ive been wallpapering all weekend and  I hate being beaten at anything but I know I will ache tomorrow. This morning I was removing a lot of ivy from the fencing around the front of the house (Ive recently moved and Ive now got a largish garden which I have so many plans for when the weather gets a bit better) and I was looking round at what needed doing and spotted some large containers which I want moving from the front of the house to the back. Now a couple of years ago I would have managed to move them myself but I know I cant now do it and I feel really bothered by that. Ive become a bit 'maudlin' about things. Ive been sat here thinking about all the things I really wanted to do and didn't. I wanted a push bike for years but had nowhere to keep one or worked long hours etc, etc. Now I have time and space I think Im too old to be wobbling down the road.  Ive always been a jeans/trousers person but now I see and want all these pretty summer dresses but now my legs are fat, I cant do high heels and my arms are too flabby for sleeveless.
Until about 4 years ago I used to go out running with my son (only locally, no marathons) and when I took the dog for a walk I would go 5 times the distance I go now. 
I suddenly feel a bit like its all downhill form here and Im not ready for that. My mind is definately more active than my body and I find it so frustrating. I want to wear big hats but think I would look like an eccentric old dear!.  I want to go to the Northern Soul nights at the local club (when lockdown is over) but I dont want to look like a granny dancer.
I did have a silly moment last week when I looked through the window at the snow and wanted to lie down and make a snow angel, so I did, my husband thought I was mad. 
When my sisters had children I was the one they referred to as 'our silly auntie' because I was the one they did fun stuff with but now they are all grown and there are things you cant do alone without getting arrested! 
Im just feeling a bit like its almost over in a 'Im getting too old to be doing that' kind of way and I dont like it. Is it just me ?

Not sure who said this (it's been attributed to several people, including Mark Twain):

Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
Dance like nobody’s watching,
and live like it’s heaven on earth.

If you're in good health, start doing exercises at home. You can find routines on Youtube - look at Joe Wicks.

If you're looking at people 10 years older than you and thinking they're old, you have the right mindset.

If you want a big hat, buy one. I've been wearing hats of all styles for at least 30 years.

If you want a pretty dress, go out and buy it. I'm sure people won't be looking at a 65+ lady and criticising their legs and flabby arms.

You don't need high heels, flat sandals are better - or even trainers.

I have a Next summer dress that I wear with Doc Marts, not the usual style

My Mum told me 35 years ago that I was too old to wear Doc Marts.

I'm still wearing them - I'm 67.

So to answer your question - you're never too old.

I love those DMs!

Pollycat

hb2 said:

I love those DMs!

Thanks - they are so comfortable.

A bargain from eBay.
The linen mix Next dress I wear them with has all the same colours.
A bit off-the-wall for some people but that's my style.