Don't we all - want our old pep back.

tell me about it! I have no pep left either. It just is not fun!

you and me both! what has helped me is a kitchen stool that I can actually sit and fill the dw, slice and dice food, ect...and I have front loader washer/dryer, so have a chair in there to sort and fill...the worst is vac'ing the lr and office...haven't figured how to do that sitting, lol, lol...

Resting is good.

HALF an HOUR???? Girl, you're ZIPPY!!!
For me, it's 15, maybe 20 minutes, work,sit,work sitâ¦.

I'm like that, but worse. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that this is the start of the season. Most of us had a sedentary winter (I sure did), and we won't have much stamina when we start using our muscles. I don't expect to have much at the end of the season either, but it should be better than it is right now. :-)

Yes, other than shoveling 16 tons of snow, I pretty much sat on the sofa all winter.

Now I sit on the toilet lid and apply my makeup using a magnifying mirror, rather than stand to do it. I also run the dishwasher more frequently so it is not such a chore to empty. Some day I will get a washer and dryer on my second level.

Since my last post I vacuumed the porch and put the cushions on the furniture, hosed off the tarp that covers the furniture all winter and did another load of laundry. Time to sit.

Every morning I have a mental list of things I want to do and I am lucky to get nearly half actually done. Spring is hard because there is so much going on and I want to accomplish outdoor projects before the summer heat and humidity.

Isn't there a vitamin out there for us work-sitters??

I thought there was something wrong with me. I'm 73 and I have no energy anymore. I think its wonderful if you can stay busy for 30 minutes and then rest. Right now my husband is outside cleaning the porch furniture and then he takes a break and goes right back to it. I think he has been out there about 2 hours. I hope he gets it done soon. I'm so tired of listening to that power washer. lol By the way we had to buy a new one yesterday because the old one didn't seem to work and our son noticed the new toy. Said to his dad something new and dad said yes. Son had borrowed the old one the last time. I wonder if dad will let him borrow the new more expensive one. I hope not.
Mary

Dedtired,

My 'vitamin' is changing my environment and expectations. I have a smaller house now, it is easier to keep clean.
This Thanksgiving, I told one of my sons we were going to meet at his house and everyone could bring a covered dish.
My current project is painting two small rooms, when I was young I could do that in a day, I'm just finishing up and this is the 4th day.
I'm happy doing less. When I think back on some of the 16 hour work days I put in, (and then had to still take care of stuff at home) I'm happy that life has slowed down (I'm retired) and I've made the choice to slow down as well.

My mom will be 97 in September. I cannot believe how much she still does and she lives in a huge house. Of course, she only uses three rooms and the cleaning lady dusts the rest of it. Still, she does her own laundry including sheets, cooks all the time including cakes and pies, plants tomatoes and window boxes of flowers, and volunteers two full days at the hospital thrift shop. She drives and does her own grocery shopping. She and my son (he is an enormous help to her) went to Home Depot the other day to stock up on garden stuff.

She always says you just have to keep pushing, so I try.

Lucille, my house is small -- about 1600 square feet and my lot is about a third of an acre. I am not sure I would tackle painting a room now although I would if I did not have to do the prep work. Right now I would just be happy if the entire house was clean at the same time.

Time to get off my duff, fold up the tarp and put it away and then go back to planting grass seed along the sides of the new front walk.

Grandma-mary, keep that pressure washer away from the son., unless he does some clean up for the two of you! My son is such a big help to me and my mom. We'd both be in trouble without his muscle and willingness to help.

The key word I read above is "sedentary".

I won't presume anything about anyone's age or physical condition but the vitamin that gives many seniors energy and enthusiasm is exercise and activity. Daily stretching, "weightlifting" with books or other household items, and some regular aerobic activity (even as little as a 15 minute walk at as brisk a pace as you can manage) will do wonders.

Most senior centers have exercise classes. Those who live in areas with extreme summer and winter weather can walk at indoor malls or other large buildings in your area.

Try it! You'll be surprised.

You're right, Snidely. I really do think I will last longer if I had a regular exercise program. I used to be very good about getting out for a walk several times a week, but now I am "too busy". I'm not so good about getting exercise in the dead of winter or the heat and humidity of summer around here.

Okay, I folded up the tarp and put it away, planted grass seed ( this includes digging up the dirt and adding top soil), and helped my son change the oil the lawn mower (you have to turn it upside down).

I may have one more half hour burst of energy today and then I am done!

Dogs as pets are good exercise (I have 5). Not only do you walk them, but you vacuum after them, brush them, go to the store and buy (100 lbs/mo) dogfood for them.
They are up between 4 and 5, so you can't sleep late, it is 'rise and shine' every day.

Thanks, Lucille, but I don't need any more work! I've had dogs and cats in the past, but I am done with that. I agree that walking them builds exercise into your life.

My son cut the grass, but it didn't look smooth enough for me I I am OCD about the grass!), so I re-mowed one section. The I swept up the sidewalk and driveway.

I am done for today, except the laundry. Tomorrow I will be paralyzed. LOL

I have to rest a lot too. If I wanted to walk in a mall, I would have to go probably 35 miles to get to one! Then I could not walk it as I have a bad knee. I have a dog and I also have chickens to care for. I am 79.

Sue

I am not sure I would tackle painting a room now although I would if I did not have to do the prep work.

I feel the same way. Just a few years ago I had plans to strip the wallpaper from the upstairs hallway, patch a few damaged areas, and paint the hall as well as a tiny room at the top of the stairs. I wish I'd done it then. Somehow we think we'll maintain a certain level of energy (and interest), but it doesn't happen that way.

I believe in the value of exercise, but it can be tricky. For those (like me) with fibromyalgia, it's ridiculously easy to overdo. Recently I was in the Home Depot parking lot when it started to rain, and I walked quickly to the entrance. I didn't run (not possible with my knees); I just walked quickly--for a short distance. Yet for hours that evening I had nasty shooting pains down both legs, even when I lay down. This is typical, unfortunately.

My best exercise is lawn mowing. I keep saying I'm going to look for a used riding mower one of these days, but I'm reluctant to do it because walking behind my mower is very good for me, I think. Often I'm unaware that I'm breathing hard until I stop.

Of course, when I'm outside mowing, I pick up deer ticks. So many bites over the past three years. Let's just say I don't love spring and summer like I used to.

I do agree this winter and being home bound so much was my biggest undoing....and try as he could dh barely kept his co truck shoveled out let alone the family car when I couldn't go anyplace...

snidely be gentle with we unworthy souls, lol....

Right there with you detired!

Changing the bedsheets has become a real chore!

Pam, you could try some B12 vitamins but keep moving to build up strength and endurance.

I started the planting today,and I feel it. Only 10 more flats to plant! And I have to keep chasing Emma, the 13 week old puppy who has my kneeling pad, shovel, glove or the plant!

That work, sit, work, sit, work sit, decribes my routine too. Mind is willing, but the old body isn't. My "git up and go done gone up and went" and I'd sure like to know "where" it went. I've been cleaning for over a week and by the end of the day I am actually too tired to sleep even though I am exhausted. I'm determined though to get things downsized to try to make cleaning easier for me.

I went to the doctor's today and I'm going to tell you what I told her. One of the bad things about getting old, is the fact that we tend to blame everything on getting old. Sometimes that's not the cause. Ten years ago I didn't seem to have the stamina that I use to have but I did a lot of entertaining and lots of other social commitments plus the regular chores so I blamed it on getting older. When I went out walking with friends, I got out of breath and blamed it on a sedentary winter and had to build up my stamina. Suddenly I was getting unfamiliar "twinges" in my chest when I was walking uphill. Discussed it with my doctor who then scheduled a stress test. After getting the results, she recommended seeing a cardiologist. Angiogram, angioplasty following. Three blocked arteries, one 90 percent, one 80 percent and the other just beginning to get blocked. Several weeks after the procedure I was like a new person. Ten years later and several years of complaining about losing my stamina, not sleeping well and difficulty breathingâ¦.completely different symptoms although I've been thinking heart, I stopped taking several medications and am feeling 100 percent better than I had been, though not 100 percent better. I am in the process of checking out the heart, not going to blame everything on medications. I'm not suggesting that anyone has heart disease or problems with medications. What I am suggesting is to do a thorough investigation with your doctor, and rule out the possibility of something other than "getting old". Four years ago at age 73, I was walking 5 miles a day, 7 days a week. Than it went down to 3 miles several days a week. Three months ago I would get up in the morning, come into the family room, sit down in front of the T.V. and sit there all day unless I had a luncheon, movie, bridge or whatever obligation to fulfill. One night I realized that some of the symptoms were similar to an experience I had with a medication many years agoâ¦..an aha moment. I stopped taking several of my medications until I get to the root cause, my mental state started getting better, as did my breathing, sleeping and energy level. I started walking again and am walking 4 miles. I still have some shortness of breath and have a stress test scheduled in 10 days. Just something to think about.

After spending 4 days getting two little rooms painted (but had all that prep) I'm barely moving around. I put on a nice pot of beans to go with dinner and I've called it a day :)
But it was worthwhile. The living room was semigloss yellow when I moved in 2 years ago, and the dining area semigloss green. They are now both a medium flat beige and beautiful. If I do say so myself.
The projects take longer and I pay more at the end with aches and pains, but this one was definitely worthwhile.

Dedtired, please give your Mom a big hug from me. Reading your comments about her energized my day.

Landlord has asked me how much garden to plough up.

I'm having some discussion with myself ...

... do I want about a mile (or more) of garden row, like last year?

Considering.

Son tells me that I'm not as young as I used to be (but he likes the veggies).

Guy at church complains about the imperfect veggies ... and I tell him that no one's twisting anyone's arm, saying that they should take some home: it's up to them whether to take any or not ... and at zero cost (except a request to add some extra to the offering plate) the price is pretty well right.

lol-e joyful

Caroline, thanks. I would give my mom a hug from you but I can't catch up with her. LOL. Just kidding. I give her a big hug every time I see her.

It was drizzley this morning so I just kind of lolled around. I finished the laundry and then went to the eye doctor. Oh, I also got two beautiful hanging baskets of flowers for my mom for Mother's Day.

Then I went for a luxurious mani-pedi, and here I am!

There sure is a huge difference in how we age and how our energy is affected Did anyone catch the 60 Minutes segment on the super-old? Very interesting!