What Have You Lost The Ability To Do Now You're Older ?

hollydolly

hollydolly

SF VIP
Location
London England
As we get older many of us lose the ability to do certain things....or even the will...

I can no longer stand on my head.. or do a cartwheel...:ROFLMAO:..but in all seriousness..

I can barely kneel these days.. I have trouble with one knee, but aside from that if I do get down on my knees,or for that matter squat on the floor, it starts to hurt very quickly, and I can't get up again without holding hard onto something nearby... ( I'm only 65 )
 

I wasn't able to get down on the floor and get back up again but I have lost some weight so I can do it now. No cartwheels or head stands for me now - I would probably break my neck or pull a muscle. I can't run like I used to but I am working on it (walking is safer for my joints anyways). I can't drink as much or stay up as late. After cataract surgery on both eyes I can drive at night more. I used to like some carnival rides but no more as the jostling around is too hard on my body. Most of it boils down to the fact I need to be kinder to my body.
 
I cannot get down on floor at all, if I do........it is by accident.

I used to do race walking and would run up and down the stadium seats at a local football field near my home. I loved it! In my home, I had a whole exercise room with weight equipment, free weights and machines, plus I belonged to a local health club and went there a lot.

Now I am lucky if I can walk without my walker to the bathroom.
 
Well, my rodeo/roping days are definitely gone, however, I could still, saddle/bridle and ride a horse.

Unlike years ago, I can no longer work on a vehicle. Use to be able to install a stereo/speakers and do some engine work. I can still check/add fluids and change air cleaner. Since I'm not a highly trained mechanic, I'm totally scared to work around an engine with a computer.

I can still sit on the floor, but it can take me some time to get up.

As far as driving goes, I drove the entire way from northeastern Florida (Jacksonville) to here (northern Colorado). My wife was very surprised, but each morning, after staying at a motel, I jumped into the drivers seat and away we went.
 
This is what I've noticed as I get older
I had partial right knee surgery in '04 last yr I was diagnosed with chondrocalcinosis,calcium crystals which form in the cartiledge joints.It makes the knee stiff/sore at times, can't sit for long periods of time,always try to keep moving.I have osterarthritis in my left knee
Every morning,when I get out of bed,I do my daily exercises for my knees. It takes me a bit longer to get up off the floor but I can get up without holding on to anything
I go out every day{weather permitting} to take my walks,though I don't go as far as I use to
 
Aunt Bea said:
I can do most everything if I take my time and choose my battles carefully.
Click to expand...
That describes me now - exactly. I am not the quick multi tasker I used to be as I simply don't have the energy and strength to do quite as much or, go as fast as I used to do with regard to daily household chores and weekly errands.

I am no longer the hare but the turtle.... but that's OK with me as I'm still in the race. LOL
 
Lashann said:
That describes me now - exactly. I am not the quick multi tasker I used to be as I simply don't have the energy and strength to do quite as much or, go as fast as I used to do with regard to daily household chores and weekly errands.

I am no longer the hare but the turtle.... but that's OK with me as I'm still in the race. LOL
Click to expand...
I'm fortunate in that I have always been a fast multi-tasker too and I still am ( except when I have the bouts of lower back pain which puts me out of action for a while).. but generally speaking I work fast, walk fast, and do everything at a hundred mile a minute...so I always achieve a lot in a short time... but even I feel much more tired than I would have just say 5 years ago from doing the same things.. I think however that may be down to a lack of a decent exercise regime for me..
 
i found out the other day i can still get down on the floor and get back up(i tripped over the dog gate) i cant walk as far as i use to because of leg surgery--it takes longer to get all my chores done-i really dont go out like i use to
---i dont drive as much as i use to--
 
My balance isn't what it once was. If I teeter backward slightly on my heels my ability to smoothly compensate is far less than even just a few years ago. No problems getting up from the floor without any trouble though. Not yet anyway.

One of the reasons I'm determined to keep my weight low is because of the health and mobility problems that accompany extra pounds.

Arthritis is limited to my finger joints so it doesn't affect my mobility.

With staying mostly at home for the past 6 months, I've noticed that my driving skills are a little rusty. Seems like pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers aren't on their best game right now either. Lots of risk out on the roads these days.
 
@jujube - your post reminds me. What can't I do anymore? SLEEP!!! I used to sleep like I was in a coma. My body could go for 10 hours or more when external circumstances allowed. Now my sleep is frequently interrupted, and much shorter overall. A six hour night has become a major triumph.

I read some speculation recently about sleep patterns of older and younger adults. The hypothesis: During early human times, young, strong people were warriors and hunters whose physical exertions required high quality rest while older people took on the role of watchmen. The tribe's survival was increased when they were alerted by light sleepers who had frequent periods of awakening.

Pretty sure that lions aren't going to sneak into my house at night, but if they do I'll undoubtedly be awake to greet them.
 
This was a good question and I have been giving it a lot of thought, but all that I can come up with is that I am still able to do everything that I always did, but maybe not as much, or as for long, or not as fast. I have definitely lost some of everything, except my mind is still pretty sharp.
 

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