OT: Feeling Older?

Submitted by GoWings2008 on

The offer post for Tyriq Thompson, and some of the posts in there, got me thinking about what it is that makes me feel older.  Certainly seeing the Woolfolk family repeat generations helped me feel old, so I'd pose these questions to the MGoCommunity:

1.  What is it that makes you feel old?

2.  What do you do, or think you could do, to help yourself not feel so old?

(Those under the age of 30, feel free to ignore the questions and respond with suggestions for how us old(er) folk can help ourselves out).

JimBobTressel

January 16th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^

Towards the end of my time at U of M I would mention the name "Mike Hart" in casual conversation and get blank faces from underclassmen. Friggin noobs. At least the seniors remembered / heard about him.

LSAClassOf2000

January 16th, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^

The idea that we are now into recruiting cycles where the prospective players were born when I was actually AT Michigan is one thing that is beginning to make me feel a little old sometimes. 

There is also the fact that I can remember when the idea of having a tablet in your hand that could access great knowledge was reserved for Star Trek. Now, the very thing is charging about two feet from where I sit. My kids will never remember I time when having a computer in the house was quite the thing (and of course the older crowd will remember when there was no such thing) rather than a given. I am also just old enough to have taken typing classes. 

I am only 35, but a lot of little things are starting to make me feel old - I suppose that's what I am saying. Exercising every day and little things like walking to places I can walk to rather than driving help keep me feeling younger though. 

Magnus

January 16th, 2014 at 2:19 PM ^

I like running on treadmills more, believe it or not. I like hiking outdoors and stuff, but I can only stay interested in running by playing with the incline, cranking the speed up and down, watching the calorie display, watching TV, etc.

543Church

January 16th, 2014 at 2:52 PM ^

I enjoy the solitude of a morning run outside.  The treadmill messes with my mind and makes it seem like more effort since I'm not going anywhere.   I don't really practice any kind of meditation but a morning run clears my head better than anything.    Only time I really get to be alone.

Also, no headphones allowed!  

GoWings2008

January 16th, 2014 at 3:51 PM ^

When first attempting to run the treadmill, for the first couple weeks...leave your ego at the door.  Run at a pace that gives you a heart rate of 180 minus your age. This is for two reasons.  1) To build the aerobic base that helps build the capillary network in your muscles that distributes oxygen and 2) Your lungs and muscles aren't the only think that need conditioning, but also your joints and tendons and such.  You may aerobically be in good shape, but the other parts of your body need to be built up as well. 

 

Magnus

January 16th, 2014 at 2:23 PM ^

I find that the best ways to avoid a knee injury are a) not jumping and b) barreling straight into people instead of going around them.

In all seriousness, though, I've just become more judicious about being competitive. And I also do "prehab" type exercises to keep the muscles around my joints strong. I work a lot on balance type things with single-leg exercises, Bosu balls, etc.

Monocle Smile

January 16th, 2014 at 2:08 PM ^

I'm 25, but work in a building where the average age is over 50 and we even have a few employees from the Greatest Generation.

The biggest difference between the youthful senior staff and the ones who look a decade older than they are is health. Staying fit and eating properly does more than maintain your waistline.

Monocle Smile

January 16th, 2014 at 3:10 PM ^

I'm in the middle of Butt Fuck Egypt in Connecticut in a job I only half-like and several hundred miles from friends and family. I'm not without obstacles, but I'm doing my level best to make the most of it.

I have plenty of motivation...there are literally hundreds of coworkers whose fate I'm determined to avoid.

GoWings2008

January 16th, 2014 at 2:19 PM ^

I was mostly kidding back, FWIW.

BUT, I will agree with your sentiment, but ignoring it isn't the answer either.  If you refuse to let it define you, the calendar is just a number.  My intent was to help others find ways to turn back the clock.  Exercise seems to be the #1 method reported and at 45, I'm living proof. 

ken725

January 16th, 2014 at 2:27 PM ^

I have respect for those people who refuse to let it define them.

I just don't get those people who are going through a "mid-life crisis" and try to cling onto their youth by going out and getting sloppy at younger clubs. I guess if it makes them happy that is all that matters.

 

543Church

January 16th, 2014 at 2:56 PM ^

Exercise is probably number one, but I think you need to also keep learning new things and not settling on being comfortable in anything.   People who seem "old" are often stuck in the past and stubborn about changing.   Probably getting new hobbies or changing jobs keeps your mind in good shape.

/I'm a man.  I'm 40.

 

1989 UM GRAD

January 16th, 2014 at 3:10 PM ^

Lots of people get stuck in the music/culture/personal style they had in high school and college...and never evolve in these areas.



My wife's sister is constantly posting news and updates re: Bon Jovi and GNR on Facebook. Her whole life is rooted in the past which I believe has contributed to the myriad of problems she's had as an adult.



One can have positive thoughts about the past but those who embrace the present and the future tend to maintain a youthful aura even as they age.

Sac Fly

January 16th, 2014 at 2:18 PM ^

Michigan hockey already has close to a full class in 2015, and they're starting to build the 2016 class with 98 birth years and already have two commits. Maine has a commit from a 2000 birth year, set to arrive on campus in 2019.

Don

January 16th, 2014 at 2:21 PM ^

The fact that I can remember watching the Detroit Lions when they were actually one of the best teams in the NFL.

Something you young punks will never, ever get to see. Now get off my lawn.

Don

January 16th, 2014 at 10:53 PM ^

I might be high, but I'm old enough to be your father, if not grandfather.

1962 Lions. 11-3, second in the NFL Western Division, behind only the eventual NFL Champions Green Bay, whose only loss during their season was to the Lions in the "Thanksgiving Day Massacre" at Briggs Stadium. I was nine years old, and that was my favorite Lions team that I can honestly say I remember. It was just five years removed from their last NFL championship in '57.

Dubs

January 16th, 2014 at 2:32 PM ^

What makes me feel old?

-Whenever I see my students DOB on their records and think the things that they weren't even born for (9/11 for example).

-I also play flag football behind Ohio Stadium every Friday evening in the fall...and for 4 consecutive years, I have gotten injured (knee sprains, hanstrings, and this year was a Type II ankle sprain).

- I notice whenever I drink, it takes a tad longer to recover

How do I stay young?

I try to exercise as often as possible (cardio and lifting)...typically 5 days a week.  I've been teaching for 6 years now...and every year I get asked if it is my first year.  I was also asked by a bartender if I was old enough to drink.  So apparently I'm like 20.