Athletic performance in your 40s?

[LeeLau]

Thought I would add something to this interesting thread

- diet. Agreed.

- sleep. Agreed.

- pacing. Agreed.

- building exercise into daily routine. Agreed. Dan already talked about taking stairs. If circumstances allow ride your bike to do errands etc

- realistic expectations. Agreed.

Expanding on that. In my 30s and 40s my recovery and stamina was such that I could tour 2000m+/ elevation day for 6
days straight. Hitting the 50s I hit 3 days of 2000m+ then I need to take a "rest" day before resuming. This is based on a 7 day hut trip. And I'm reconciled to that.

Adding to what's been said. Drop or scale back activities that are more likely to result in soft tissue injuries. I don't play contact hockey anymore. I don't ride skinnies higher than 3 m off forest floor anymore. I don't do big drops to flat either on bike or ski anymore. I stick to small/medium gap jumps.

This seems to be the model for success for friends who are 70/80 and still active so IMO there's something to it

[The AD]

science is a fickle landlord.

Good one.

[californiagrown]

It’s diet man. People show up and burn 200 calories at the gym, if they’re lucky, then they go grab some donuts.
I even studied some nutrition in college, had a great teacher, and find it hard. The average American has no chance. It’s like teaching an Amazonian to read and write for the first time in a 1000 generations.

I have yet to meet the person who thinks donuts or double bacon cheeseburgers are as healthy or more healthy than a salad or grilled chicken. I think that saying people dont know better is a massive copout. People know what is healthy, but eating healthy can be bland and boring and repetitive unless a little effort is expended (both in the cooking and the learning how to cook) and because people are addicted to instant gratification and cannot stand being bored anymore (ie smartphones and internet) they choose or supplement their diet with very unhealthy items.


FFS, if people just ate what was PICTURED on the oldschool food pyramid (despite its well known issues) obesity would be cut by 90%. Literally, just eat what is on the old school food pyramid in the amounts shown and it will be a massive improvement over the average american's diet. Is it perfect? far from it. But EVERYONE knows it, so the excuse of not knowing better is utter BS.

[goldenboy]

Adding to what's been said. Drop or scale back activities that are more likely to result in soft tissue injuries. I don't play contact hockey anymore. I don't ride skinnies higher than 3 m off forest floor anymore. I don't do big drops to flat either on bike or ski anymore. I stick to small/medium gap jumps.
t

A 20 something ripper asked me how I like to hit a particularly gnarly part of the mountain when conditions are less than perfect. "I'm old, I only hit that when it's perfect" was my answer. Trying to get smarter...



Sent from my SM-G996U1 using Tapatalk

[jackstraw]

Thought I would add something to this interesting thread

- diet. Agreed.

- sleep. Agreed.

- pacing. Agreed.

- building exercise into daily routine. Agreed. Dan already talked about taking stairs. If circumstances allow ride your bike to do errands etc

- realistic expectations. Agreed.

Expanding on that. In my 30s and 40s my recovery and stamina was such that I could tour 2000m+/ elevation day for 6
days straight. Hitting the 50s I hit 3 days of 2000m+ then I need to take a "rest" day before resuming. This is based on a 7 day hut trip. And I'm reconciled to that.

Adding to what's been said. Drop or scale back activities that are more likely to result in soft tissue injuries. I don't play contact hockey anymore. I don't ride skinnies higher than 3 m off forest floor anymore. I don't do big drops to flat either on bike or ski anymore. I stick to small/medium gap jumps.

This seems to be the model for success for friends who are 70/80 and still active so IMO there's something to it

That is exactly my mantra if you will.

I will add that I wake up with 25min of yoga daily. I may miss a day here or there, but that's ok. Back at it tomorrow. It's ok to skip everything, but it's key to jump back in again tomorrow. Don't pressure yourself too much. It is a classic American (and others) thing to do

[bodywhomper]

Avoid repetitively catching covid.

[jono]

Avoid repetitively catching covid.

Like broken ribs: usually a 6 week unintended break; might go worse.

Is there a study on humans yet showing how HFCS increases the efficiency of your gut at capturing calories (so less go out)? Seems like the mice got that news a while ago now.

[Garbowski]

I fixed my psoas and a bunch of other things by stretching. I really wish I stretched more- and have been saying that for a decade.

[stapes]

Posting cuz I’ve been telling myself to start doing yoga for years now. It might actually be time.

I turn 40 later this year. Arguably in best shape I’ve ever been in, but need to keep working on it. Body definitely doesn’t recover like it used to. Sleep is so critical.

Along with yoga I could really go for some more strength training.

I quit drinking a little over 2 years ago. Something I wish I would’ve done a lot sooner. That frees up a lot of time and energy for parenting and getting outside/being active.

Could also clean up the diet a bit. Work in progress there and it’s always fluctuating.

Great thread and thanks to all who have contributed. Getting old doesn’t have to suck.

[bagtagley]

To paraphrase Mitch Hedberg, starting yoga is as hard as stopping smoking. I know it’s good for me and I’ll feel better, but I just can’t get into a routine of doing it regularly.

I’ve been getting some inspiration from an older lady I talk to on the trail. She’s in her late 60s and tiny but is a total badass. She’s been doing yoga forever and has always been active which helps a lot, but her current routine involves spending her morning and early afternoon stretching and breathing, doing yoga, getting sun, strength training, hiking, walking the dog, cold water baths, etc. Basically lots of activity and self care for a decent portion of her day. It’s just a reminder that exercise is great but as we get older it’s really the bare minimum. I know this, but to see it in action has been a good motivator.

[Self Jupiter]

If anyone already has pain I suggest seeing a doc/PT before beginning a yoga training regiment. I’ve had two very bad periods with my back in the past decade and my body responded differently (and negatively) to stretching the second time around even though I was comparatively lighter, fitter and more flexible on onset of the symptoms.

[jackstraw]

To paraphrase Mitch Hedberg, starting yoga is as hard as stopping smoking. I know it’s good for me and I’ll feel better, but I just can’t get into a routine of doing it regularly.
.

It took me years of knowing I should start before starting. Once I committed it was a solid three months of forcing myself to do it. It was hard, slow, and just mentally difficult for me. But then something clicked and I became addicted and I love it now. Granted, I still don't do what my wife can do, but I don't do it as a "work out" just therapeutic stretching.

[brutah]

i'm not quite 40 (late 30s) yet, but....

2 days ago, I got my winter tires taken off and summer tires put on. I live 0.75 miles from the tire place so I drop it off, run home, work, and then run back to get the car. I actually run most of the way both directions in my street shoes and clothes (Oboz Bozeman shoes so not neccessarily an unsupportive shoe). I run about 3-7 miles weekly outside of ski season and recently started picking up my running routine again as I usually just ski during the winter. Yesterday, ankle is a little sore, but warms up quickly and then there is no noticable pain. Today, the ankle pain wakes me up at 4 am, can't walk, on ibuprofen and icing it.

BUT holy shit does this suck.

[oldnew_guy]

I just started PT for a back issue and learned that it's probably almost entirely due to muscle atrophy following an injury. So now working heavily on building that muscle back. I've spent years doing back stretches following prior PT's advice.

If you are injured and it's impacting your health/fitness I can't recommend a good PT enough. I also, like others, have found a good yoga routine to be beneficial, but fall off the wagon like others.

[The Reverend Floater]

PSA: "Yoga" encompasses a shit ton of different stuff. Saying I tried yoga is like saying I went to the gym.

For me, restorative yoga works to reduce pain, increase my flexibility and keep me off the bench. But it's more about relatively easy, static poses and core strength. But it is not sweating my balls off in a pretzel while staring down my own moose knuckle.

[halliday]

Great thread. Im 54 and just completed my 50th year skiing. Every day when Im home from work I ride 20-25 miles on my road bike. I hate the gym so I bring bands with me to work out in my hotel room. I think diet has a big part to play in feeling good as you age. I quit drinking coffee (stomach issues) and for the past few years I have been drinking green tea. Lots of green tea. Also, knowing what's in your food is important. I think stretching works wonders and generally keeping active helps you stay strong. I subscribe to the theory of use it or lose it. Would I be able to keep up with my 25, 35, or 45 year old self? No way. Do I enjoy things when they get cranked up a bit? Absolutely. I still smoke half a pack a day and love to drink beer. Keep everything in moderation and never forget that you do not heal as quickly as you age. Im looking forward to skiing, biking, and surfing until I die. I fully realize that my biggest days are behind me but I love to watch the young guys and girls get after it. Eat right, smoke, drink, stretch, ride, ski, hike, climb, smoke more, relax and enjoy the ride.

[Hopeless Sinner]

Rev sent you a pm.

[muted reborn]

But it is not sweating my balls off in a pretzel while staring down my own moose knuckle.

i thought you said you go "all in" when you commit to something. this is the way.

[The AD]

I still smoke half a pack a day

Come on, man.

[The SnowShow]

One thing I’ll add to this thread: 40s are going by in a flash. I’m sure it gets worse.

[irul&ublo]

Come on, man.

No shit. You oughta be able to burn at least a pack

[muted reborn]

He probably could in his twenties

[Kenny Satch]

No shit. You oughta be able to burn at least a pack

https://youtu.be/1OkStZhbZ20

[yeahman]

I've lost 12 pounds this year just by cutting my beer intake and bread intake in half. Feels great and I'm never going back.

I do still drink an 8 oz. can of regular Coke once or twice a week. Funny, it's actually cheaper to buy the 12 oz. cans than the 8's, but I don't want them so I spend more on less. [emoji3]

[BCMtnHound]

Come on, man.

What’s the ChatGPT version of JONG?