Old Guy Aches and Pains Tips Thread

[wswartzwel]

Since most BMW riders are on the more mature side of life... What are some tips to keep going? Ponce De Leon would have been a bit more of a hero had he found that elusive fountain. Hard playing, hard work, a lifetime of motorcycle bumps and scrapes have me more than concerned about aging.
I usually get up around 6:30.... but if I stay in bed till 7:00am I will feel like crap most of the day... so One tip is to get up when I wake up. I have also found cycling to help keep my head clear.
If i don't get regular exercise, I begin to start having negative thought patterns, that make me feel like not riding or doing anything that is fun. Sitting around watching TV or surfing the web becomes an addiction because I have zero initiative to get out and play.... So another tip that works for me is to get plenty of exercise.
Diet??? I have discovered my old body does not deal as well with poisonous food as it did when I was young. Eating a whole pizza, washed down with a few beers, will make me feel like crap for a couple days.

Hoping to see what works for some of you other guys? Really good drugs??

I want to be active as long as I can.

[shreddr]

I think you are right on the money with diet and exercise, especially the cycling it keeps the joints supple and your heart strong. As far as sleep, the way the human brain is wired you fluctuate through stages of sleep over and over during the night. If you are awakened in a deep sleep cycle your will feel like crap, but if you get up in your light sleep phase you will feel fine. As far as drugs, I like a naproxen/ibuprofen combo. I have a semi arthritic hip, and I take naproxen every morning which seems to keep the pain down. When i go out for a motorcycle ride I dose up on ibuprofen before i leave and bring a few in my pocket if its going to be longer than 4 hours.

Most of all I think age is an attitude, if you wanna feel and act like an old dude go ahead, as for me I don't feel much older than about 30, which is probably due to the fact that I didn't start my family until I was 40, I don't want my kids friends to think their dad is their grandpa!

[John Lyon]

I would add "consistent" exercise throughout your life, which means finding something you *like* doing that gets your heart rate up for at least a few hours a week. For me, that's bicycling; used to be running and tennis as well. I swam for 3 years, which is excellent (even fixed my back), but it got boring even in the ocean.

If you do take time off when you're older, come back slowly. Once over 30, don't do anything really strenuous (soccer) without warming up fully.

[wswartzwel]

Yeah John, I love cycling and try to ride about 100 miles a week. I enjoy mountain biking but due to competitive nature usually end up bouncing off trees and end up with more bumps and bruises.

If you rest you rust - just like our bikes.

Tai Chi for flexibility, balance and a little peace and quiet for the mind. Swimming for cardio and strength. That is what works for me.

Happy Memorial Day - don't forget the fallen!

[signit98]

I just ignore the pain and keep going...

[mreid]

Yoga - from a real yogi - not the spare-time gym class type.

Stay flexible, balanced, and breathe properly. I'm 56 and feel 30.

[Cajundaddy]

Eat right (whole foods), regular exercise, sex, keep it fun and interesting with frequent adventures, hang out with friends, glucosamine for joint freedom (this really helped restore my stiff joints).

[John Lyon]

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

Yeah John, I love cycling and try to ride about 100 miles a week. I enjoy mountain biking but due to competitive nature usually end up bouncing off trees and end up with more bumps and bruises.

About the same schedule here. I also used to love mountain biking as it has some of the same fun as motocross, but like you, I often overdid so I had knee trouble (and some endos).

I'm now a 100% road guy and still love it after about 4 decades.

[John Lyon]

Originally Posted by mreid

Yoga - from a real yogi - not the spare-time gym class type.

Stay flexible, balanced, and breathe properly. I'm 56 and feel 30.

I agree with flexible, balanced and breathing, but don't you also need to get your heart rate up for an extended period?

[anotheroldrider]

Hi Bill - you're absolutely right about staying active - I still ride off-road at every opportunity (my wife gave me a KTM 500XCW for Christmas last year), and I still like to push hard, ride long days, and prefer difficult terrain (I actually think it's safer since the speeds are lower). It seems like all the guys I ride with are 30 years younger than me, so to keep up I absolutely have to go to the gym a few days a week. I focus on aerobic stuff - in particular stair machines at an agressive level for an extended period, and arm & shoulder work on an arm-crank machine. I do a few strength exercises, too, but endurance is the issue for me - I monitor my heart rate and deliberately manipulate it at the upper end of the range for my age (68) - when I'm 30 miles from the truck I really want to still be having fun on the way back.

I'm absolutely determined to still be riding trails when I'm 80, so no time to back off now. I also think off-road is the best safety training you can get - no Buick bumpers to worry about while you're learning what it feels like when the tires break loose, and you can polish you reactions at 20 mph instead of 80.

Enjoy - ride safe. Hope to be home to ride with you again one of these days. (I'm still in Calgary, Canada at the moment.)

[JimMoore]

800 mg of ibuprophin, morning and night.

[mreid]

Originally Posted by John Lyon

I agree with flexible, balanced and breathing, but don't you also need to get your heart rate up for an extended period?

Definitely, John. I thought of that as a given, but you're right I didn't mention it.

[John Lyon]

Originally Posted by mreid

Definitely, John. I thought of that as a given, but you're right I didn't mention it.

Sorry, I wasn't clear - I was wondering whether yoga accomplished that?

[mreid]

My yogi in CT put every one in a circle with candles in the middle. I thought isn't this sweet and she's cute to boot! She then proceeded to kick my a$$ with a 90 minute combination of Kundalini and hatha yoga that accomplished all of the above and got my heart rate up. I still practice today. The right yogi is key.

[John Lyon]

Originally Posted by mreid

My yogi in CT put every one in a circle with candles in the middle. I thought isn't this sweet and she's cute to boot! She then proceeded to kick my a$$ with a 90 minute combination of Kundalini and hatha yoga that accomplished all of the above and got my heart rate up. I still practice today. The right yogi is key.

Ahh, I have achieved insight!

[PFFOG]

Originally Posted by mreid

.................and she's cute to boot! ..................... The right yogi is key.

I think this is the key! Middle aged men will do almost anything to look good when a younger, good looking woman is around.

[wswartzwel]

Lol!!!

[Flounder]

I've been a competitive cyclist on and off road for 26 of my 41 years and most seasons can still wiggle my way onto the podium with dudes half my age behind me. This is to say I really value the importance of being fit as a means of slowing the advancement of years. I've been a Cat 2 roadie since 1990. The downgrade is coming, though. I can feel it.

I am also irrationally phobic about getting old. Every wrinkle and grey hair freaks me out. Most people still comment that I look like a spry 30+, but I feel the years advancing with break neck speed. My knees are shot, but that's likely due to 245,000 cycling miles, tons of tele-skiing, and way too much backpacking.

Aside from working out daily, I try to eat whole foods, super foods, and limit my red meat intake as much as possible. I also try to maintain the right amount of QUALITY sleep. Lastly, I'm admittedly a bit of a dork at times and still enjoy juvenile pursuits. I have a long board that I ride up and down my street like a kid. Can't help it. I enjoy it. I also identify with people half my age, just as I do those twice my age. I just try to maintain a youthful, or ageless outlook.

I know 41 is pretty young in many minds. I'm trying to squeeze 21 year old performance out of a 41 year old body. So far, so good.

[GDM]

I am going to the beer thread now, sorry guys.

Gerry