Do you think you're younger than others your age because you're so fit?
#51
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#52
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Nothing can reverse a biological ageing process....While it's true that exercise can help us maintain good health and fitness into an old age and improve our quality of life as we age, it doesn't actually reverse a biological process of ageing. From the day you're born the clock starts ticking and you're getting older day by day and there is nothing to stop that from happening. Being healthy and fit into older years is not the same as actually reversing a biological ageing process. Believe what you want.
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No doubt. It also appears that some older bicyclists, who can only very loosely be described as "athletes", are VERY focused on staving off bicycle "performance loss" (whatever that is) or achieving bicycle "performance gains" by whatever means they read/heard somewhere that might work.
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Thanks for shining a light on that little cobweb that's been hanging in my brain for over 50 years.
Last edited by BobbyG; 10-02-23 at 06:12 AM.
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No doubt physical fitness is a good thing, but so is mental health. For me, the goal is not to live a long time, but to live well for as long as I live. I want to learn new things. I've seen 90 year olds with dementia. I am sure others here have had the same experiences.
Several years ago, I discovered Ellen Langer's work on mindfulness. I found the idea of being alive in the moment as a way to enjoy the day to the fullest and take no minute for granted. I have always loved this quote from Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, "“And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!’’
People ride with their club members and that is good, but have you ever asked if these people are going to be around when you are in need? If my life has taught me anything, it is family who loves me and yes, puts up with my strengths and weaknesses. This is where I spend my time and hope to live out my days.
Several years ago, I discovered Ellen Langer's work on mindfulness. I found the idea of being alive in the moment as a way to enjoy the day to the fullest and take no minute for granted. I have always loved this quote from Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, "“And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!’’
People ride with their club members and that is good, but have you ever asked if these people are going to be around when you are in need? If my life has taught me anything, it is family who loves me and yes, puts up with my strengths and weaknesses. This is where I spend my time and hope to live out my days.
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Off our rockers, actin' crazy
With the right medication we won't be lazy
Doin' the old folks boogie
Down on the farm
Wheelchairs, they was locked arm in arm
Paired off pacemakers with matchin' alarms
Gives us jus' one more chance
To spin one more yarn
And you know that you're over the hill
When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill
Doin' the old folks boogie
And boogie we will
'Cause to us the thought's as good as a thrill
Back at the home,
No time is your own,
Facillities there, they're all out on loan
The bank forclose, and your bankruptcy shows
And your credit creeps to an all-time low
So you know, that you're over the hill
When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill
Try and get a rise from an atrophied muscle,
And the nerves in your thigh just quivers and fizzles
So you know, that you're over the hill
When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill
"Old Folks Boogie" by Little Feat
With the right medication we won't be lazy
Doin' the old folks boogie
Down on the farm
Wheelchairs, they was locked arm in arm
Paired off pacemakers with matchin' alarms
Gives us jus' one more chance
To spin one more yarn
And you know that you're over the hill
When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill
Doin' the old folks boogie
And boogie we will
'Cause to us the thought's as good as a thrill
Back at the home,
No time is your own,
Facillities there, they're all out on loan
The bank forclose, and your bankruptcy shows
And your credit creeps to an all-time low
So you know, that you're over the hill
When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill
Try and get a rise from an atrophied muscle,
And the nerves in your thigh just quivers and fizzles
So you know, that you're over the hill
When your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill
"Old Folks Boogie" by Little Feat
#58
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This has been a constant here for years.
#59
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No doubt. It also appears that some older bicyclists, who can only very loosely be described as "athletes", are VERY focused on staving off bicycle "performance loss" (whatever that is) or achieving bicycle "performance gains" by whatever means they read/heard somewhere that might work.
Your statements about performance loss or gain are truly absurd. These things are easily quantifiable by many metrics. If one does a given climb, or route, or race at a certain speed, or elapsed time and then years later that speed is lower, this is a loss of performance. When your FTP drops, a loss. The opposite is true for gains.
Whether you want to believe these things exist for older people, they do. If this upset you, that older people can and do keep track of their FTP, or their TT times, or just whether they can beat their friends in a sprint to the county line, well, that's your problem. Because that happens in reality, whether you accept it or not.
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I am about 4 weeks from 69 , so 68 years old and aging well. I broke my hip from a fall about a month ago . For the first time in my life I feel old. I have been trying to get back but I’m afraid this one set me back. I have not gone this long without a bike ride in many , many years . I normally ride about 40-50 miles a week . I am fit , not muscular , but fit. The age of my body is what it is but I do my best to keep myself in shape . I have always been thin in my adult life and my surgeon believes that my recovery , from the repair he did , will be faster due to my healthy condition , but I am 68 and my bones are strong but old. I do not suffer from inactivity , normally , but this has opened my eyes. Not being able to jump on my bike and go for a nice long ride has affected me not just physically but mentally . I am not used to taking much medication and the pain that I have been in is off the charts , I guess I just ain’t used to it. I have to fight depression since this incident and I get really depressed when I see other people out on the road cycling. It is my thing and has been for over 50 years.
Your story pulled me out of my standard BF thread browsing and trite response. Whew. I hope you have a good recovery.
Brent
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Last edited by davester; 10-02-23 at 11:32 AM.
#62
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It’s not uncommon when people ask my age, which has been happening with less frequency, but due to how much I exercise, they commonly think I am ten years younger. Now that my skin is losing its elasticity and starting to wrinkle and sag it’s not an issue. My stats compared to various age groups suggest someone in their 30s fitness-wise. Mentally I know I am not as sharp but keeping the blood pumping with workouts has shown that it helps with acuity - that and Sudoku, The NY Times crossword, Spelling Bee and the others which start most days since retirement six years ago. Bragging? No, it’s just how it is.
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Well, my Garmin says my "fitness age" is 20, (calendar says 65). I think Garmin is saying I have the VO2max of a typical 20 year old. But compared to other avid cyclists, my VO2max is meh. Nowhere near where it was 20 years ago.
Do I look 20? LOL no. But when I'm kitted up with a helmet and sunglasses, maybe, at a quick glance. I weigh the same now as I did at 20.
Do I feel younger than my sedentary friends? Unknown, I don't have any sedentary friends.
But science folk suggest that at the cellular level, active people age more slowly than sedentary people:
"A few years ago scientists at the University of Colorado in Boulder measured the telomeres of young (age 18 to 32) and old (age 55 to 72) subjects. Each age group was divided into two subgroups—sedentary and endurance-trained—creating four groups in all. When the telomeres of old, sedentary subjects were compared with those of the young, sedentary subjects, the oldsters’ were 16 percent shorter. They really were “old.” The telomeres of the old, endurance-trained subjects, however, were only 7 percent shorter than those of the endurance-trained youngsters. That is to say, old athletes had telomeres that were 13 percent longer than those of their sedentary peers. Telomere length was directly related to activity level. Even though science can’t explain why, exercise slows aging by keeping your telomeres young."
Excerpt From Fast After 50, Joe Friel, 2015
Do I look 20? LOL no. But when I'm kitted up with a helmet and sunglasses, maybe, at a quick glance. I weigh the same now as I did at 20.
Do I feel younger than my sedentary friends? Unknown, I don't have any sedentary friends.
But science folk suggest that at the cellular level, active people age more slowly than sedentary people:
"A few years ago scientists at the University of Colorado in Boulder measured the telomeres of young (age 18 to 32) and old (age 55 to 72) subjects. Each age group was divided into two subgroups—sedentary and endurance-trained—creating four groups in all. When the telomeres of old, sedentary subjects were compared with those of the young, sedentary subjects, the oldsters’ were 16 percent shorter. They really were “old.” The telomeres of the old, endurance-trained subjects, however, were only 7 percent shorter than those of the endurance-trained youngsters. That is to say, old athletes had telomeres that were 13 percent longer than those of their sedentary peers. Telomere length was directly related to activity level. Even though science can’t explain why, exercise slows aging by keeping your telomeres young."
Excerpt From Fast After 50, Joe Friel, 2015
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#64
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I am about 4 weeks from 69 , so 68 years old and aging well. I broke my hip from a fall about a month ago . For the first time in my life I feel old. I have been trying to get back but I’m afraid this one set me back. I have not gone this long without a bike ride in many , many years . I normally ride about 40-50 miles a week . I am fit , not muscular , but fit. The age of my body is what it is but I do my best to keep myself in shape . I have always been thin in my adult life and my surgeon believes that my recovery , from the repair he did , will be faster due to my healthy condition , but I am 68 and my bones are strong but old. I do not suffer from inactivity , normally , but this has opened my eyes. Not being able to jump on my bike and go for a nice long ride has affected me not just physically but mentally . I am not used to taking much medication and the pain that I have been in is off the charts , I guess I just ain’t used to it. I have to fight depression since this incident and I get really depressed when I see other people out on the road cycling. It is my thing and has been for over 50 years.
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#65
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No one doubts that some bicyclists are interested in "performance." BF already has an entire forum subsection devoted to racing activities in addition to a list specifically dedicated to training and nutrition discussions.
The mods previously set up the Pills and Ills discussion subforum for the health challenges faced by riders 50+.
Recommend that the mods stake out a subforum of the 50+ list for those posters who wish to discuss the performance, fitness, and nutrition challenges unique to 50+ posters.
Discussions of bicycling activity as well as exercise, training and nutrition regimens that allegedly have Fountain of Youth properties would be prime candidates for such a 50+ Performance/Fitness subforum.
One reason not to create such a subforum would be if the mods believe that without the input and discussion from the performance/exercise/nutrition buffs, there wouldn't be much input at all on the 50+ list.
The mods previously set up the Pills and Ills discussion subforum for the health challenges faced by riders 50+.
Recommend that the mods stake out a subforum of the 50+ list for those posters who wish to discuss the performance, fitness, and nutrition challenges unique to 50+ posters.
Discussions of bicycling activity as well as exercise, training and nutrition regimens that allegedly have Fountain of Youth properties would be prime candidates for such a 50+ Performance/Fitness subforum.
One reason not to create such a subforum would be if the mods believe that without the input and discussion from the performance/exercise/nutrition buffs, there wouldn't be much input at all on the 50+ list.
#66
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If you start asking those questions, you probably have to throw out most of the exercise physiology studies.
#67
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Regarding aging and exercise, this article from Harvard Magazine is right on point:
In the bottle before you is a pill, a marvel of modern medicine that will regulate gene transcription throughout your body, helping prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and 12 kinds of cancer—plus gallstones and diverticulitis. Expect the pill to improve your strength and balance as well as your blood lipid profile. Your bones will become stronger. You’ll grow new capillaries in your heart, your skeletal muscles, and your brain, improving blood flow and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. Your attention span will increase. If you have arthritis, your symptoms will improve. The pill will help you regulate your appetite and you’ll probably find you prefer healthier foods. You’ll feel better, younger even, and you will test younger according to a variety of physiologic measures. Your blood volume will increase, and you’ll burn fats better. Even your immune system will be stimulated. There is just one catch.
There’s no such pill. The prescription is exercise.
-- Jonathan Shaw, The Deadliest Sin, Harvard Magazine, March-April 2004
In the bottle before you is a pill, a marvel of modern medicine that will regulate gene transcription throughout your body, helping prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and 12 kinds of cancer—plus gallstones and diverticulitis. Expect the pill to improve your strength and balance as well as your blood lipid profile. Your bones will become stronger. You’ll grow new capillaries in your heart, your skeletal muscles, and your brain, improving blood flow and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. Your attention span will increase. If you have arthritis, your symptoms will improve. The pill will help you regulate your appetite and you’ll probably find you prefer healthier foods. You’ll feel better, younger even, and you will test younger according to a variety of physiologic measures. Your blood volume will increase, and you’ll burn fats better. Even your immune system will be stimulated. There is just one catch.
There’s no such pill. The prescription is exercise.
-- Jonathan Shaw, The Deadliest Sin, Harvard Magazine, March-April 2004
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The science is moving quite fast to understand the mechanisms involved and the studies appear to be pretty consistent in their results so far. It appears very unlikely that there is no genuine causation.
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beer is my magical elixir..did a solo 100 miler and for sure would have been a bit faster but ran out of beer at about 90 miles so the last 10 kind of killed my average speed.
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Perhaps he doesn't promote them to the general public, but he has promoted a number of drugs (sirtuins, resveratrol, NMN, etc) based purely on animal study results to companies that have gone on to lose a lot of money trying to develop them or determine their efficacy in humans (and have paid him a lot of money for the privilege). See for example this article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/david...b038faea137fb9 . I don't disagree that Sinclair has done some good research work, but he is equal parts scientist and salesman, not a good combination in this scientist's opinion. This is why I like Kaeberlein...he has almost an opposite approach to Sinclair's.
It would appear that government funding for longevity research is still pitifully low, which clearly frustrates Sinclair, so I’m not surprised that he is looking for private investors. I’m also not surprised that he is making a lot of money personally from this work.
I will look up Kaeberlein too with interest.
BTW I don’t take any of those drugs, but I am tempted to give our Guinea pigs and rabbits NMN supplements!
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His post seems to be gone; not surprising given the acrimony that threads devolve into. In case he's listening... I broke my neck - c3 - at 60, a month after completing a 1200km brevet. 3 months in a hard brace. I followed doctor orders to a T, but also did every bit as much as allowed. That was key for my mental health, as well as recovery - doing every thing allowed, as soon as allowed. I'd ask, "can I raise my arms above my shoulders yet?", "can I pedal an exercise bike yet?", "can I do bicep curls". Eventually the doc got the picture and started telling me what I could do. Full recovery to 1200k condition took a year, maybe more. But those little milestones felt huge. I know you're older, and things might go slower, but even more reason to find and focus on small goals.
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"Do you think you are younger than others your age because you are so fit?"
The best advice I know of is so simple. Don't believe everything you think! Possibly given me by a 'fit' Forum member, or maybe just an older wiser one.
The best advice I know of is so simple. Don't believe everything you think! Possibly given me by a 'fit' Forum member, or maybe just an older wiser one.
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Do you think you are younger than others your age because you're so fit ? In my case sometimes, yes and sometimes, no.
I have to admit, I think exercise really helps as a preventive to aging. However, when I don't sleep well, I feel well over my age.
Finally, I realize there's a difference between having a strong body and a strong mind.
I have to admit, I think exercise really helps as a preventive to aging. However, when I don't sleep well, I feel well over my age.
Finally, I realize there's a difference between having a strong body and a strong mind.
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I suspect that part of how you'd answer the OP's original question depends on how far into the 50+ category you are. I do recall, at around age 65, thinking that I don't feel any older than I did when I was 35. Now, eight years later, I wouldn't say that. If you're in your 50s or 60s, you might think that exercising has enabled you to stop the aging process. Are any BF members in their 70s and 80s thinking the same thing?
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I am fat, old, and 70... But when I really get to feeling bad about my condition all I have to do is look around. There are so many others, even half my age, in worse shape...
Good, God, It's Pitiful...
Thank You Lord... Maybe I am not doing so bad...
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