Not sure if I can continue metal detecting - health, restrictions, etc. - Saddened

tdg8934

Greenie
Jun 7, 2019
17
75
Ogden, Utah
Detector(s) used
Garret GTI 2500, Garrett Ace 300
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
I have been practicing in my back yard for a few minutes to a 1/2 hour on the weekend - Garrett Ace 350 / Pro-Pointer. I really enjoy it (except for the bugs-lol). I'm in my mid 50's and about 350lbs and getting up/down to dig my findings has been very hard if not almost impossible at times. I get grief from my wife about me doing this hobby at all - not supportive, and with restrictions in digging and not knowing where to go, I've gotten a bit down on this to the point where I have my detector and pro-pointer for sale on a local neighborhood app. Have others experienced this like I have? Any words of encouragement? I suppose the biggest issue is not being able to easily get back up off the ground (painful a bit on my knees if down too long also). I tried making a pvc pipe extension for my pro-pointer which helps but ultimately I need to get down to dig. I also have a short 36" shovel for metal detecting and digging roots (saw blade on sides) I found on Amazon. But I'm afraid to take it with me for fear of others seeing me digging up the park or wherever. For now in my yard, I have been trying to keep it simple with just my detector, pro-pointer and a screw driver for coin popping - but finding only pennies, dimes and many beer caps.

Thanks for your help. (Tim)
 

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Megalodon

Silver Member
May 13, 2018
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Maryland
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Tesoro Cibola
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Garrett ADS Master Hunter 7
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Hey Timothy,
Welcome to the site - the best metal detecting site there is, and the only one I use.

I can sense your sadness stemming from your disappointments and I'm sorry that you are in pain. While some folks, trying to be helpful, will offer encouragement and tell you to stick with it, I'm going to suggest that its fine to take a break. The very first thing I suggest is to take control of your health. Without your health, you are limited. Its not helpful at all when people tell you "just lose weight". i know its not easy and when folks say that, they don't know how hard it is. Some of us gain weight far more easily than others who eat as much or more than we do. I swear I can look at a hamburger and gain 5 lbs. The difficulty is the pain. When I was right about your age, i had gotten too heavy and started to slowly increase my activity on some trails through a state park. I went from 240 to 185 in less than a year and amazed myself by getting ripped and was running the trail before I was transferred away from the park. I got an elliptical machine and used it. The trick is to start slowly. Its just as hard to keep that weight off. I've gained a lot back and I try to walk as much as I can. My greatest weakness is that I enjoy beer - and have to control how much I drink. So, start slowly - even very slowly, keep at it, and good luck!
 

Tpmetal

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Jan 4, 2017
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take your time as to not damage your body(not sure of what conditions you have), but like megalodon said keep with it and you may end up losing some weight and getting healthier. No need to start out detecting 8 hours a day. If all else fails take a neighborhood kid under your wing and he can do all the up and down digging and retrieving for ya.
 

Megalodon

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May 13, 2018
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Its possible to combine some aspect of surface treasure hunting while walking. I was shocked by how often I could find paper money along trails (once it was a $20 bill). Also, if you have a beach to walk, its possible to find coins and jewelry on the surface - especially after storms. After strong windstorms, the coins will be sitting on little pedestals of sand. You can get yourself a tool called a "sand dipper" so that you don't have to get down on your knees to pick things up. I walk a beach as often as I can for fossils and always take my sand dipper! Its one of my favorite tools.
 

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Megalodon

Silver Member
May 13, 2018
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Maryland
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Are you working? If so, can you walk on your lunch hour? My old office had a shower in the basement, so I could wash off the sweat and change into nice dry clothes after a walk. And the shower itself was a good long walk away.
 

ROIGuy

Sr. Member
Jun 9, 2019
278
725
Palos Park, IL
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Minelab Equinox 600/ Garrett Pro Pointer
Primary Interest:
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Tim
Baby steps...
Rome didn't get built in a day and you undoubtedly took decades to get your unhealthy weight. Reduce portion sizes, drink more water to fill yourself. Seek advice from your doctor and continue metal detecting. It's a low impact exercise that will help you get your healthy steps in AND its a pastime what you ENJOY. See if there are any folks up your way to join you or do out with your kids... but never give up,never give in.
 

releventchair

Gold Member
May 9, 2012
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I lost count of the negatives at around 4 of them...

Are you the kind of guy that has to do something? Even if the wife is not supportive ,and whatever it is does not insult your wife /your relationship beyond she simply does not applaud you...?

One negative at a time , and they can last a day if they are dwelled on.

From reading anyways , you getting up and down seems the biggest actual challenge. Consider what a rehab specialist or similar would present you with.
From mobility equipment ,to supportive equipment , to simply practicing form of going to ground and back up. In addition to exercise.
Some muscles and tendons ect. don't get the regular use needed as they do in down then back up...

Have you made recoveries without kneeling the whole time? (Beware ticks/fleas/poison ivy/poison/oak/fire ants ect.)
Sitting on a generous piece of ground cloth might offer help. Don't stab yourself in a femoral artery though.

I can still (though a couple pounds less fat would help) bend forward from a wheelchair to dig shallow.
Transferring to the ground (then back up after...) for more ambitious digging.

Limiting recoveries seems something to consider for you as you gain strength (through exercise when not detecting) and work on up and down.
If you only make a couple recoveries per outings , so what? You're still getting out. (!)
Bring a camera. Lock up the detector when you've had enough (per your knees ect.) and take time to find a special photo. Never mind if you are any good at it. Practice helps , if you care about photo quality. Just find a way to prolong an outing. Camera is only a suggestion.
It's your outing. Enjoy it.

A human has to do something sometimes. Just to do it. Otherwise ....Life is just a hum drum routine.
You can sit home and gaze out the window anytime.
 

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Tahoegold

Sr. Member
Mar 7, 2016
304
303
Carson City, NV
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Compadre, Gold Racer, White's TRX,Bazooka GT 24",God Hog mats,Grizzly Gold Trap Motherload, Harbor freight 9 function, Cintech pinpointer, Determination
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Hey Guys,
Tim may not be having an eating issue. I made that mistake once when I was a kid. Telling someone the should loose weight when it was a medical issue. Notice how Tim has gone silent? Most recently my friend had a pituitary isssue. Had surgury and now, within 2 months, has gained 180lbs due to hormone imbalance. This gentilman asked for encouragement. Let's do that and maybe he would find a way to enjoy metal detecting AND posting on this site.
Timothy, on behalf of us here who want to encourage you, I'm sorry if what was said did the opposite. I see you really have been having a problem with both doing what you would like, and, having fun with it. I have an idea. Instead of detecting solid ground. Try finding playgrounds with sand or bark. There's long handled scoopers you can buy or even make yourself! No more bending over!! Also, if you need to dig in hard ground, maybe one of those things that pick up trash that has rubber cups and a trigger handle could give you ability to pick stuff up. Sounds like you have a passion to do this. I'm sure that if you overcome the technical difficulties and start finding things without having to get down, you'll be more likely to have fun! Finding bottle caps and change is just part of the process. We all get trash. Treasure like gold rings don't pop up every day. It's best to look at this as a way to get outside, use a detector, get better with using it and some day, when you least expect it, you'll find something exciting. It's all about the hunt. Relax, get through the challenge at hand and then you'll have a hobby that you can enjoy all by yourself. My wife doesn't get it either. But, it doesn't matter to me when I'm out detecting, I'm enjoying it. I hope you find a way. Best to you! TG
 

Trapper John

Jr. Member
Dec 29, 2014
85
136
St Helens, Oregon
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Garrett AT Pro
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Timothy, I can relate to the feeling. As Megalodon and Tpmetal have suggested, swinging your detector may get easier over time. Are you sure though, that this is the right pursuit for you? I say that gently and with good intentions, because many people have gone through the ups and downs of this hobby and found it not to be right for them. The stooping, kneeling, crawling, or whatever contortions bring you closer to your target get tougher, not easier, if you set your sights too high initially. I speak from experience.

In 2006 I was diagnosed with heavy metal poisoning - specifically arsenic. (No, my wife of 50 years was not involved in any way. I know because she told me so.) That itself is another story but the nerve damage was done and my legs simply don't work the way they used to. I reasoned that metal detecting would help me therapeutically so I did my research and jumped in. Boy, was I in for a surprise! My weight, largely through inactivity, had soared to nearly 300 pounds from 210. My balance was badly affected. But I was determined to learn what I could do with my new AT Pro. So after reading the manual, back yard practice, and many visits to you-know-what-tube I felt ready.

What a shocker! I recall falling to my knees to dig for my first "find."It hurt like hell and I couldn't get up without the help of my two collapsible walking sticks. Sitting on a small footstool didn't help much either. So I resigned myself to the undignified positions that I would have to assume while rising and kneeling to dig and to examine my finds. I crawled, rolled, walked on my knees, and generally ignored what others may have been thinking as they watched me. (Besides, when asked if I was okay I had my arsenic story ready to go.It made for some interesting conversation.) Gradually I figured out best ways to proceed. The biggest relief came when I was able to accept my limitations and slow down. After all, what was lost was most likely going to be there tomorrow waiting for my return.

Today I weigh 215 pounds, which is 7 pounds more than I weighed when I was 25 and playing hockey two nights a week. Metal detecting actually had very little to do with my weight loss in the physical sense, but it sure helped by giving me something to replace my old field activities with. I learned that the interest in hunting as opposed to finding was my personal driving force. Today at 70 I hurt plenty but I've learned to work within my limitations, take my time, and to enjoy the search. Note that I don't bother to record my finds, which to this point have been quite unremarkable. It's the hunt that has always appealed to me.

Timothy, it is entirely possible that this is not the right pastime for you. If that is the case, don't feel too badly about moving on. But as others have urged, consider adjusting your thinking as well as easing into the physical effort before you bail. By all means work within your budget to try something else. Or, think about expanding your efforts to include more than one activity. Rockhounding and fossil collecting are my complimentary activities, and my "Bucket List" now includes gold prospecting. (I don't have illusions about striking it rich. I just want to read, learn, and discuss, to ultimately see "colors" in my pan.) All of this can be done at the same time.

Finally, in my opinion you have taken the right steps in joining this forum and in freely discussing your situation. Don 't be too hard on others who may not understand the hobby or your interest in it. I've seen many solo detectorists - in fact I am one myself. Just consider your overall situation and you will make the right choice.
 

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smokeythecat

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Nov 22, 2012
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My arthritis stinks. If I get ON the ground I may not get UP again. So I have found a way to get around it. I dig with a MD digging shovel and carry around (actually drag around) a folding aluminum camp stool. When I get the target out of the ground, I sit on the stool and simply reach down to get it. No getting on the ground. Haven't had to go on the ground for years now. A five gallon bucket will do, but I like the stool better. About $35 on ebay.
 

boogeyman

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If there's a will there's a will there's a way! Work up to it in spurts. Have you thought of hunting tot lots? Short walk from the car, and with a mid length beach sifter to cut down on the up & down problem. You can still hunt as your body builds up. Stream banks would be good to start on too. Scoop swish dump.

As far as the static from the wife, don't sweat it!!!! As soon as you come home & drop a piece of nice jewelry in her hand it'll change into "Whadya find this time?" (trust me on this). If all else fails, Harbor Freight has a little cart that looks like a tractor seat on four wheels that you can pull behind. If you really want to do something there's a way! Just might not be the way you pictured it, but there's a way!
 

Irishgoldhound

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Do you have easy access to beaches??..detecting in the water with a long handled scoop would be easier for you than bending down or bending over.
 

JamesRS

Jr. Member
Apr 28, 2019
21
26
Vincennes Indiana
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Tim. I am 75 with emphysema and sling an oxygen tank across my back. I too have trouble getting up, down is too easy. I like Smokeythecat's idea of a folding camp stool. but for now use a 40" shovel. I also carry a copy of the email from parks department giving me permission to dig holes. I don't have your weight problem but I do understand the wife problem. Let her find a coin in your yard and she might decide to help dig.

Good luck
 

kingvegan

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Sep 11, 2014
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ok even though my name here is kingvegan I don't talk to people about being a vegan because of the joke, " how do you know if someone is a vegan......dont worry they will tell you". Please check out Dr. Michael Gregor, he is not some MD with a diet book, the guy is an undisputed expert, Oprah's legal defense hired him when she was being sued by cattle growers even though he was still in Med school. (He was accepted to 17 med schools, the guy is a genius). His book is called 'How Not to Die' all the money from his book sales and speaking engagements go to fund his site Nutritionfacts.org which is free and was originally set up with a gift from some wealthy philanthropist. That site is a big deal, his paid staff and qualified volunteers read every published scientific paper published in the English language in the world, about 10,000 studies a year. his channel is on the youtube too. Please check it out, the man can change your life like you would not believe possible. At least watch his intro video where he talks about why he pursued medicine, it will blow you away. good luck
 

trdking

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Feb 28, 2015
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If you have grandkids Hook them into the hobby. You swing they dig. Works like a charm signed Crappy Knee Swinger
 

CASPER-2

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get into water hunting - weight dont matter - get long handled scoop - no bending
plus the rewards can be greater than most on land
few days water hunting on a Fla. trip
attachment.php


I got all kinds of health issues myself - right now dealing with 5 herniated discs which makes it hard to land hunt
youre more buoyant in the water so it relieves some of pressure on my back

one years worth of gold - all from water
attachment.php
 

xcopperstax

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Sep 3, 2018
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ok even though my name here is kingvegan I don't talk to people about being a vegan because of the joke, " how do you know if someone is a vegan......dont worry they will tell you". Please check out Dr. Michael Gregor, he is not some MD with a diet book, the guy is an undisputed expert, Oprah's legal defense hired him when she was being sued by cattle growers even though he was still in Med school. (He was accepted to 17 med schools, the guy is a genius). His book is called 'How Not to Die' all the money from his book sales and speaking engagements go to fund his site Nutritionfacts.org which is free and was originally set up with a gift from some wealthy philanthropist. That site is a big deal, his paid staff and qualified volunteers read every published scientific paper published in the English language in the world, about 10,000 studies a year. his channel is on the youtube too. Please check it out, the man can change your life like you would not believe possible. At least watch his intro video where he talks about why he pursued medicine, it will blow you away. good luck

Just had to chime in: I'm a vegan too and I love it... 19 years in. I live in Boston. Dr. G used to live here in the early two thousands and I was friendly with him. He's definitely a genius and has probably altered the lives of countless people with his work. Tim I don't know if dietary stuff pertains to your health but think about this: Everything you put in your body is a choice with consequences good and bad depending on what it is. I started detecting because I broke my femur and needed something to do. It was awful getting around in the beginning and I even used a crutch but I eventually got through it. Don't let anybody discourage you. Mindset is another issue. Stay positive and tell yourself that you can and will detect! Wishing you the best!
 

Tahoegold

Sr. Member
Mar 7, 2016
304
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Carson City, NV
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The Guy hasn't responded. Anyone notice?
 

searching 4

Jr. Member
Dec 6, 2017
98
125
pennsylvania
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garret ace 200
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my knees were giving me problems also, only thing I did was start walking a lot more, take it easy at first then build up to longer walks...did wonders for the knees and also helped me to lose weight. Don't give up
 

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