Old-timers like me....how you get along in your later years.

[tncreeker]

OK,
So I`m only 47ish, I hurt 24/7. I have worked hard since I was 10 years old and my mother started hiring me out as a maid. Yep, I hurt , but this is how I feel about this,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[wayne_sa]

Al, I had an old dog and brought in a pup. She added years to the o'l gal's life. Just by making her get up and bat the kid away. It kept her active.
I am your age, and have a few more miles down a few more bad roads than most.
Broken Neck, Back, Cancer, failed marriage etc. I don't need to go into it all here.
But there came a time when I had to stop licking my wounds.
I hurts when I get up in the morning, but I get up every morning. I work a ten hour day because I have to.
I'm a good man and I help anyone I can. I hope this helps you.
I am a Treasure Hunter.
The time I spend at the computer, the library, the local senior center with the ancient ones, gathering clues is brain exercise.
The history learned, to re-live days of yore through the pages of time is fantastic. To wish I lived a hundred years ago is on going.
But I found a partner. A younger kid. He's 30 something. He doesn't have the patience to do the research I do, or the money to buy the equipment I do but he has the drive to get my ragged Butt it the truck and drive 250 miles to spend a weekend in the Arizona desert, looking for the Millions we may never find. That is physical exercise. Sometimes it's hotter than Hell, and sometimes it's colder than a well digger's behind, but it is always a reward. I did something today. I took a step forward.... and I didn't look back at my shortcomings.
And yeah, the beer helps.

tomisha, welcome to T-net. Loved your post. You write like a modern Mark Twain.

Happy hunting!

 

[piegrande]

I have become an evangelist. Not for any Holy Books. For the low carb; high fat diet.

As most commonly demonstrated by the Atkins diet.

My life has been completely changed by the diet.

In the past, I did not recommend the Atkins diet, because it is too complex and hard to figure out. But, the Atkins Institute came out with a new book, THE NEW ATKINS FOR A NEW YOU. The diet has been changed to make it easier, with four servings a day of vegetables, to eliminate chronic constipation, and 1/2 tsp of salt, because fast salt loss has made many people sick. Book available at Amazon, not expensive.

For those whose doctors are still telling them a high carb; low fat diet, get rid of that idiot.

For a detailed explanation of how the medical profession got it EXACTLY BACKWARDS, recommending a low fat, high carb diet, get a copy of GOOD CALORIES BAD CALORIES by Gary Taubes, an accomplished science writer.

Five years ago, I was at 220 pounds, b.p. 135/75, and was definitely pre-diabetic. Recently, it was 105/65. In the last year, I took five hour walks across the mountains here in Mexico. I forgot to mention I am 69 years old, I suppose that's relevant.

No medicines at all. None.

This morning, my weight was 174, and I expect to go back to, or very near, my 1964 pre-military weight, as close to 160 as I can get.

Last November, I hurt my right foot walking on hard rocks in the mountains with Rockport shoes. I just got a pair of Merrell Sawtooths, like soldiers in Afghanistan buy, to protect my foot from the jarring of the rocks.

When we do concrete work I help carry in 110 pound bags of cement (only 80 pounds in the USA.) My son, who graduated from medical school taught me how to build up arm strength above what it is. And, he says if I stick to it, I will be able to do pull-ups eventually. At 220, I could not do one pushup.

Everything is bad with high carbs. In the 20's a Doctor Warburg earned the Nobel prize, awarded later, when he learned cancer gets its nutrition from glucose, which the high carb diet produces in large quantity.

Several years ago, in Germany, they put some terminal cancer patients on a diet similar to Atkins induction, and 5 survived.

The common cardiovascular diseases are a result of the glucose/high insulin produced by the high carb diet. An Alzheimer's researcher has noted that every Alzheimer brain she has autopsied has been almost fat free. Etc. Etc.

Still, changing your life depends upon your decisions.

A year ago, a cousin here in Mexico one day while eating breakfast showed extreme chest pain. I talked to my son, and he said it sounded like unstable angina, the most dangerous kind. He had been having four attacks a day, and my son said he was lucky to be alive.

He asked if I could show him my diet. Three days later he had his last angina attack.

My best friend here is a doctor with 33 years experience. When I started the diet, he really screamed. Now, he believes, too. He told me the cousin should have come in for all kinds of examinations. I asked why? What could he do for him that would eliminate unstable angina in three days? Nothing.

Yet, your obese doctors will give you all kinds of nonsense about the low carb diet. Just look around you. Do you see healthy people, or obese, sickly people?

 

[piegrande]

I think I forgot to tell about my son. In med school, he also got up to 220 pounds. He tried Weight Watchers, but learned it was destroying muscle, so he shifted to Atkins, low carb; high fat diet. He is back to the same 160 which is also my goal. He says there is no reason to weigh any more at 70 than at 20, except dietary problems. Since most people blossom out, people assume it is necessary to be heavier, but it isn't.

He just came back from around 18 months in the United Arab Emirates. He was running 7 miles in 120 degree temps. He griped last month because he went out for his usual 7 mile run down on Col. Rowe in McAllen at 95 degrees and couldn't even work up a sweat. He is 35.

I did forget to mention one important thing. On the low carb; high fat diet, such as Atkins, the rules prohibit hunger. When you feel hunger, you eat slowly until it goes away. No one can stay on a starvation diet.

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

piegrande,

69 is definitely significant! Its a good age, too. (did I say that?) cough, cough


I don't believe in diets. Period. die - its.

I have not seen the new Atkins. I know the old Atkins spelled surgery 14 times for a friend of mine. All that protein - he was in great shape, lost weight - and developed 33 cysts in his body - 14 surgeries to remove them, along with a wonderful kidney problem that took some months to straighten out. (he modified the diet afterwards, and is doing well).

I'm glad to hear they have added veggies and salt - my friend also had bathroom issues, and it seems like he lived on psyillium (fiber) pills.

Walking is way too underrated. You can do a lot just by walking.

I think we don't always realize how much we have stopped walking - taking the car to go 5 blocks to the store, or riding an elevator to the second floor - all stuff we didn't do when we were younger.

Beth


PS Glad to hear you are doing well!!

 

[piegrande]

That is exactly why I never recommended the (old) Atkins Diet. Too complex and tricky.

Atkins is not supposed to be extremely high protein. Atkins said so plainly in his books. The problem is, the books were so complex and busy most people probably missed it. Atkins properly done is supposed to be at least moderately high fat.

I not only cook my eggs and ground pork breakfast with plenty of real lard, the brown stuff which is hard to find in the US unless you find a Mexican market. I also with my four servings of vegetables, put a teaspoon of lard on top of the 1/2 cup of veggies, heat it, then eat it lard and all. I consume nearly 2 pounds of real lard a week. If you can't get real lard (do not buy that white stuff from the supermarket, it is chemically modified) coconut oil is also good.

Tell me about the psyllium (brand name Metamucil). Until I got the new book, and started consuming the four veg. servings, (the book has a list of which are low carb and good for you) I took three helpings a day, and still not enough.

Elvis allegedly died of impaction, and I could see it happening on Atkins without a coach to help out.

 

[piegrande]

Carbs make you hungry, the books listed explain why. Fat reduces hunger, which is why I eat lard with my food. Protein in large quantities can also produce hunger, because protein in large quantities also produces glucose, which is the same thing carbs do.

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

Not eating makes me hungry. I don't say this in jest. It is a proven fact that your body will go into "starvation" mode if it doesn't get what it needs. Sometimes, just needing a little fat in your diet, can make your system "safe" everything you eat. (same holds true for other foods).
That's why skipping meals doesn't work. It screws around with your insulin (even if you don't have diabetes, your insulin levels go up and down, based on what you consume), insulin production makes you hungry - and it is looking for something specific. Your body needs to take what you eat and convert it to a state in which it can use it. That act, in itself, burns calories.

Starving - or missing meals, or not taking in what you need (the body sees that as the same thing) slows your metabolism, so you don't burn as many calories, and then it turns into a horrible cycle. (horrible for weight-not to mention health).

I'll have to go look at the new Atkins. I like to read what's out there (though, I lost lots of weight in the last year, or so, and I didn't do it using anyone's diet).

Beth

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Well first let me apologize, I'm a bit of an intruder in this thread at 41, and a runner, and merrily got carded buying a beer at the Las Vegas airport two weeks ago albeit I have some experience as my 94 year old grandfather was out detecting with me 2 years ago in the mountains of north eastern PA.

However I do have some good advice that may help. Get out an walk. nothing strenuous but at least 15 mins around the neighborhood a couple times a week. I get this information from a story ( which I'm pretty sure I'm recalling correctly but it was in the early 90's when I read it) printer in the Readers Digest. A middle aged man, say 55 or so, had problems with circulation in his legs even though he was an avid runner. He was having trouble getting around and went to see his doctor. The doctor suggested the man add a walking route into his routine. Apparently, according to this article and this doctor, walking will help by enticing the body to create new veins and increasing blood flow to the legs!

Now I'm no doctor so I can't promote or condone this, however it helped this fellow and may be a good catalyst to help with those long hauls up in those mountains of north western PA. Frankly I thought the veins we had were it and was surprised to learn the body could create new pathways for blood flow, which ultimately leads to better oxygen saturation and better endurance, and finally cool finds

But those farm field ideas others have suggested are to be followed. Farm fields are littered with things to find. Look at it this way, 100+ years ago there were no tractors or combines to harvest those crops, instead the entire family and extended family was out picking the crops, bending over losing all their buttons and buckles and coins, none the wiser.

Good luck

 

[barber]

I'm 80, have had major heart attack, major stroke, hernias, just had part of cancerous colon removed, but I'm very lucky, follow a low fat diet, excercise, can walk 50 minutes at 110 steps a minute, and work out with weights. (not real heavy ones) So I'm really lucky or blessed

 

[piegrande]

Um, let me see. Major heart attack; stroke; cancer. Yep, low fat diet, check. Yet, you feel blessed. This is exactly why I have become an evangelist on high fat; low carb. Enough already.

It is hard to describe how your circulation changes when you get on the low carb; high fat diet, and your veins and arteries are all cleaned out. That happens independently of exercise, though exercise is very good for you.

I am not going to explain, because this is an open board, more or less. But, with Atkins you do NOT need Viagra, period. My son was astonished. He thought as you got older, the male function sagged, and it does not, except with bad diet. Clean out those arteries and things perk up again.

Beth, Atkins and related low carb; high fat diets all emphasize that you MUST eat when you are hungry for that exact reason. It is called starvation mode. Eating on Atkins is mandatory.

My goal is to get down to the 160's. At 175, I am down to where I was, last in 1966 or so. My son says there is no natural reason except diet for older people to weigh more than when they were young adults. He was also 220 and on Atkins he is down to 160, strong and tough at 35.

Atkins, new or old, is not for losing weight, though it works for that as well.

Atkins is for cardiac and circulatory health, and for avoiding TYPE II diabetes, which is diet caused in most cases. All the bad things we assume are normal for old people, aren't normal.

My friend here in Mexico is a doctor. When I first started Atkins maybe 5 years ago, he told me, "Can't work! Not possible."

I insisted and he said he was going to read up on it. He took his physiology books from med school, like 35 years ago, and every day I'd see the marker moving. When he finished, he said not one word, not one word. He still fussed about it, but now openly admits it is probably correct.

He did try to tell me I did not have hypoglycemia. I asked why he thought that, and he said hypoglycemics are sick. Yes, they will be, on a carb diet. I passed out the first time in 1958 in gym class after eating a 1/4 pound Babe Ruth at lunch time. So, add hypoglycemia control to benefits of a low carb; high fat diet.

He also tried to tell me one must gain weight in old age, but cannot supply any evidence to prove it. That is because there isn't any evidence.

(Note also some people think old people lose weight. That is called Involuntary Weight Loss, and there are major studies on the topic. That always involves some serious condition, and is not "normal". The diagnostic sheet specifically says a weight loss diet precludes IWL.)

I had discussed Atkins with my son back when he was in med school, so he read carefully, and the chemistry of digestion of carbs; protein; and fat; that he studied in med school; agree exactly with Atkins explanation in his two older books. Yet, at the end of the course, the instructor summed up all the information which indicates low carb; high fat would be the correct diet, by saying the recommended diet is low fat. My son wanted to break up the furniture!

Legal comment. While I do recommend reading the books, and the diet has changed my life and health profile, any dietary change must be your own responsibility, and your own decision. I am not a doctor. I write this as a freedom of speech issue, because it is my opinion and experience.

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

piegrande,

I agree - 200% - about keeping those arteries open.

Except for surgical issues, and some mental issues, almost 100% of , uh - what you said -- ( ), is, exactly, a "flow" problem. Blood flow, that is.

And, it is self-fulfilling (no, not that way) - the cleaner the arteries, the better the blood flow, the better the blood flow, the better for digestion, breathing and making the little things your blood makes to fight off infections, bacteria and viruses. Better breathing, better digestion, means more energy - more energy means more movement (as in exercise), which brings up the metabolism, which helps keep weight down, and makes a person feel better. Then, when you feel better, extra-curricular activities become more enjoyable - and more possible. (not to mention things like circulation for fingers, toes, etc.).

It just all fits in to the wonderful thing known as the human body!!

Beth

 

[Monty]

I forgot to add that I was a smoker for the better part of 40 years. I have breathing issues and most of my health problems can be traced exclusively to my smoking habit. I quit Thanksgiving 3 years ago. It was too late to reverse most of the damage to my lungs, but I feel better. After all this time I still reach for my smokes from my empty shirt pocket just out of sheer habit! I still crave a smoke every now and then but thus far I haven't backslid. I know that if I ever did I would be right back smoking. It's too late for me, but for all you youngsters lout there, quit, quit now and don't put it off. You'll never regret it. I don't harp on quitting smoking as many ex smokers do. I just say it once so take my advice as you may and I won't say it again. Monty

 

[deepskyal]

I plan on going back on Atkins this comming year. I went on it years back and I don't remember feeling so good. Stomach didn't hurt anymore, lost weight, had lots more energy...etc.

My doctor was opposed to the idea saying that most diets fail because people quit the diet and gain even more weight.

I spent a week in the hospital a few years ago and when checking out, the nurse got to questioning me about my stomach issues and weight gain, plus the colon issues I was having. She was a flaming redhead of Irish decent. When I told her how I feel like my dad with the bloating stomach and pains and loss of energy her eyes lit up and she said I probably had celiac's.

Celiac's is hereditary and usually stikes people of European decent, especially Irish. It boils down to an intolerance of gluten. It destroys the fiber of the small intestine and makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients. It's also painful, causing cramps, bloating, acid reflux, etc. Gluten is in wheat products.

When I was on Atkins I felt great. Atkins also is pretty much a gluten free diet. I never put 2 and 2 together until this nurse explained it to me.

So besides the weight loss I hope for, I am looking forward more to the painfree, acidless lifestyle.

In some parts of Europe the nurse explained to me, they have mandatory testing of babies for celiac's because it's so common.

I agree....Atkins has many benifits, even though my doc wouldn't agree. Just this time I'll have to stick with it.

Al

 

[lonesomebob]

I am 80 and 1/2, born asthmatic ,Have had 4way bi pass, several herneas, have a defibulater implant ,one heart attack and enough arthritis for both of us. I still detect, found fifty dollrs in quarters,this year. The worst parts are painful wrists and knees, getting down and up is a bitch. Always remember ,Old age is not for sissies. Bob

 

[kayden]

Al......Because of oldtimers like you is the reason I come here & learn this hobby .....Never Say Die!

 

[sml175]

Unfortunately I can no longer hunt with my dad. His knees are so bad as del as his balance from Parkinsons. He was my partner in this and LOVED this hobby. It is a shame we started so late to find a hobby to share like this. His first time out at the Wildwood hunt years ago, he won the CZ7! He loved being out there in the fields and with Donnie and the guys. I know it is killing him that I ma now going out and he cannot. I do have him researching buttons, cleaning the finds etc to keep him involved. He spent 44 years in the USN and deserved to be out enjoying this hobby. Only wish I could have him alongside when I go out. Word of advise, enjoy the time you have with your father.

 

[oldcoon]

I'm 65 and I hunt at my own pace.
I hunt alone so I do not have to be considerate of others.
I sit when I want.
I quit when I want.

 

[barber]

I have artery blockages,and if I go off the low fat (25grams max) a day, I end up in the hospital getting another stent. So I guess what works for one isn't always good for another.

 

[ivan salis]

I have worn out ankles, knees , hips , 2 screwed up lower disc L 4/5 from almost 30 years working onboard ships at sea as a merchant seaman -- copd from a mixture of asbestosis and smoking ( I quit smoking and was medically "force retired" in 2007 *) -- due to the pain of trying to work out -- i am very heavy , short of breath , can't walk too far or do much --but i stll get out there and try to be somewhat active --i fish , hunt and try to metal detect --it is quite rough to be honest -- but once i find a good target rich spot i lay down and using my patented "inchworm" method --wiggle on the ground about with my detector's coil in hand (several time folks have came by and asked "are you ok'? ) , using this method i clean the area about me totally clean of signals --it isn't pretty but it is effective