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I was 55 yesterday, what’s ahead?

I'll expand on my contribution after a bit of background... but the Executive Summary amounts to 'Don't leave things too late'.

I'm 72 next Feb and retired, but my route here was not chosen.

Briefly.. Bad career choices early on, plus the effects of Thatcher, obliged me to return to education in my 30s. My 'second' career was cut short 20+ years ago by a heart attack. I took early retirement whilst not thinking too rationally. I went back to work a few years later having realised I wasn't dead yet. I found myself clinging on by my fingernails until eventually 'disposed of' (like most of my profession) in my 64th year.

In those last years I was desperate to retire. I was long term tired, in ways not resolved by a 'lie in' on a Saturday morning. But.. worried about money.. I clung on as long as I could. I won't detail it here.

Despite the heart issues and a couple of small strokes.. I thought I was pretty fit. I had a routine of swimming, walking and weight training.

But.. gradually, my 'exercise tolerance' declined. I'm diagnosed with moderate heart failure...plus the damage from the original MI. Add in shagged out knee joints and the walking gets harder. Swimming is out under 'Covid'.

Due to all of the above, I seem to be always trying to catch up.

Realised a year ago that I was slowing down...

So.. It was time to sort out the house, decorate..new carpets etc. etc. IOW, 'batten down the hatches'.. then sit back. The next redecorating..major repairs etc, would be done by anyone but me.

Covid gave me the excuse and in Feb I bought everything needed to re-decorate all through.

But.. 'Best laid plans etc...' Things went slowly and I've still to complete one room.

A few weeks back, I woke up one morning feeling absolutely knackered. It didn't improve in days. I felt like the old ticker had changed...for the worse. I spent a night in hospital with a very low and erratic heart rate.. which has seemingly sorted itself out... but what caused it? Full bloods ordered by my Doc are all fine,
which points back to the ticker. I had another 24 hour heart monitor.. but no results so far...
So.. I'm much more tired than I used to be and much less inclined to do stuff. A lot of the time I don't have the will and when I do have the will I don't have the energy.

How much of this is down to just 'ageing' and how much to other issues I don't know... but I just want everything sorted so I can choose to relax.. exercise.. or whatever without DIY hanging over me. So.. much as I hate to give in.. I may have to 'get a man in'.

To use a 'hip' phrase... 'What's the takeaway?'

1. Never regret bad choices. You can't change them. Learn and move on.
2. Do it now... because..
3. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed.
 
Woodface said:
I went to see my son at Uni earlier in the week & while chatting to his housemates I suddenly thought, “I must be a right old duffer to them”.
Click to expand...
Young People are indeed very judgmental if they think you are improperly dressed. When I was strolling along the Malverns recently a group of children watched me as I approached, then each offered me a wary ‘hello...’ as I went by. A few moments later I heard one of them say quietly ‘well, he looks like a wizard, but he isn’t wearing the right hat!!’
 
Marchbanks said:
Young People are indeed very judgmental if they think you are improperly dressed. When I was strolling along the Malverns recently a group of children watched me as I approached, then each offered me a wary ‘hello...’ as I went by. A few moments later I heard one of them say quietly ‘well, he looks like a wizard, but he isn’t wearing the right hat!!’
Click to expand...
I was dressed incredibly well though;)
 
Mullardman said:
I'll expand on my contribution after a bit of background... but the Executive Summary amounts to 'Don't leave things too late'.

I'm 72 next Feb and retired, but my route here was not chosen.

Briefly.. Bad career choices early on, plus the effects of Thatcher, obliged me to return to education in my 30s. My 'second' career was cut short 20+ years ago by a heart attack. I took early retirement whilst not thinking too rationally. I went back to work a few years later having realised I wasn't dead yet. I found myself clinging on by my fingernails until eventually 'disposed of' (like most of my profession) in my 64th year.

In those last years I was desperate to retire. I was long term tired, in ways not resolved by a 'lie in' on a Saturday morning. But.. worried about money.. I clung on as long as I could. I won't detail it here.

Despite the heart issues and a couple of small strokes.. I thought I was pretty fit. I had a routine of swimming, walking and weight training.

But.. gradually, my 'exercise tolerance' declined. I'm diagnosed with moderate heart failure...plus the damage from the original MI. Add in shagged out knee joints and the walking gets harder. Swimming is out under 'Covid'.

Due to all of the above, I seem to be always trying to catch up.

Realised a year ago that I was slowing down...

So.. It was time to sort out the house, decorate..new carpets etc. etc. IOW, 'batten down the hatches'.. then sit back. The next redecorating..major repairs etc, would be done by anyone but me.

Covid gave me the excuse and in Feb I bought everything needed to re-decorate all through.

But.. 'Best laid plans etc...' Things went slowly and I've still to complete one room.

A few weeks back, I woke up one morning feeling absolutely knackered. It didn't improve in days. I felt like the old ticker had changed...for the worse. I spent a night in hospital with a very low and erratic heart rate.. which has seemingly sorted itself out... but what caused it? Full bloods ordered by my Doc are all fine,
which points back to the ticker. I had another 24 hour heart monitor.. but no results so far...
So.. I'm much more tired than I used to be and much less inclined to do stuff. A lot of the time I don't have the will and when I do have the will I don't have the energy.

How much of this is down to just 'ageing' and how much to other issues I don't know... but I just want everything sorted so I can choose to relax.. exercise.. or whatever without DIY hanging over me. So.. much as I hate to give in.. I may have to 'get a man in'.

To use a 'hip' phrase... 'What's the takeaway?'

1. Never regret bad choices. You can't change them. Learn and move on.
2. Do it now... because..
3. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed.
Click to expand...

If I was local, Col, and this Covid thing wasn't so complicated, I'd volunteer to come and give you a hand.
 
When you watch TV when you are 55, you suddenly notice that advertisements are aimed at your age range. 55 and above.
I don’t see many free pens on offer for merely enquiring though.
 
Big Tabs said:
When you watch TV when you are 55, you suddenly notice that advertisements are aimed at your age range. 55 and above.
I don’t see many free pens on offer for merely enquiring though.
Click to expand...


in what way? you seeing adverts for incontinence pants and viagra

;)
 
gintonic said:
in what way? you seeing adverts for incontinence pants and viagra

;)
Click to expand...

I would construct my own device if I developed a continence problem, when it comes to taking the peas, I am an exemplar. Or at least I used to be.
In terms of intimate requirements, I am not blue, and do not require such. It is an interesting subject though, thanks for bringing it up. :)
 
Joe Wicks has been a discovery in lockdown, and a shame I didn't start this sort of thing at 55. 10k steps a day, weights, exercise bikes, etc are all very well, but simple stuff like this 20 minute workout will teach you where more work is needed. You can also do some of them while cooking or waiting for a kettle to boil, and just ideal for the winter nights. Loads more difficult things from him obviously, but no point overdoing things to start with.
 
Big Tabs said:
I don’t see many free pens on offer for merely enquiring though.
Click to expand...

Gosh but I remember when you'd get a free pen with insurance quotes and other enquiries. Most were pretty basic, but some were much more upmarket. Didn't have to buy a biro for many years. Until very recently and for many years, Barclays Bank had stacks of biros in their branches. Every month or so I'd go into the City and stock up. They were borderline functional and didn't last long but they were compensation for lack of interest, I convinced myself.
 
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