47 minutes ago, TigerandDog said:

It's only reality if you let it be. I'm going to attach a video summary about a guy called Arthur. The full video on You Tube goes for just over an hour, but if you don't find even this summarised video inspirational then you will always have the mindset of your body not being able to do what it could 10-20 years ago. 

 

 

Check out the other videos on You Tube about DDPYOGA and see the results people are getting. DDPY is not just for sportspeople to help them recover from injuries, it is also for every day people who want to avoid what has become the acceptable norm with regards to sore knees etc as we age. I'm 73 and currently suffer from bad ankles, knees, lower back & shoulders and after watching Arthur's story and the documentary "The Resurrection of Jake the Snake" ( wrestling fans will know who this is and who Scott Hall is ) my attitude is if DDPY can get the results it did for these 3 guys ( Arthur, Jake & Scott) then I have to give it a try. I'm not ready to be on that downhill slope just yet.

It's wonderful that Arthur is doing his best. But that doesn't negate reality.

Or why else are all leading sport performers young and not old?

   I'm 71--70 was a very hard birthday.   I don't have a bucket list but I definitely want to do some more traveling with my spouse while I still can--there are many places I haven't seen yet.  When we are not traveling I like to keep busy--we are building a new house that should be done by the Fall.  The process has been interesting and also challenging.  Enjoying life in Thailand, now in my 13th year.

I'll be 75 this year, my son will be 16. I want to see him finish a higher education at 20 or so, he is intelligent and has shown that he is willing and capable of having an academic future. Whether I live that long I shall leave it up to causality. I am still fit, clamber about on the roof cleaning the rain gutters, cut down the odd tree in the garden etc. just a matter of genetics.

Filling ones life with activities and bucket lists isn't a source of happiness, fleeting enjoyment is just distraction but that is just my opinion.

Many can't bear silence and solitude because then something unknown starts nudging their consciousness and wants to shine through the baggage of 'me'.

Hinduism, Buddhism and quantum theory seem to agree that your manifestation is illusory and some westerners have had a spontaneous flash of realization, Tony Parsons was one such man, an Englishman walking through a London park had to sit down on the ground in shock seeing that he was the grass, the trees, the dog and that his 'me' had disappeared. Here an extract from his small book 'The open secret'.

 

There is no me or you, no seeker, no enlightenment, no disciple and no guru. There is no better or worse, no path or purpose, and nothing that has to be achieved.

All appearance is source. All that apparently manifests in the hypnotic dream of separation – the world, the life story, the search for home, is one appearing as two, the nothing appearing as everything, the absolute appearing as the particular.

There is no separate intelligence weaving a destiny and no choice functioning at any level. Nothing is happening but this, as it is, invites the apparent seeker to rediscover that which is . . . the abiding, uncaused, unchanging, impersonal silence from which unconditional love overflows and celebrates. It is the wonderful mystery.
 

On 4/9/2023 at 9:54 AM, VocalNeal said:

Some of the money I have is what I understand is called Generational Wealth. So technically it is not mine I am simply the guardian for the next generation, as were my ancestors.

Sod that! Spend! Spend! Spend!

 

Or give it to me...... at least I will spend it wisely, your extended family won't.

I am planing a trip for 2026,when I will be 76 to see my sister in Canada. I will also take in some of the World Cup matches

28 minutes ago, newnative said:

70 was a very hard birthday.

Three score years and ten being at the front of your mind?

9 minutes ago, The Fugitive said:

Three score years and ten being at the front of your mind?

I hate all birthdays ending in '0' but 70 is by far the worst of them, with 50 in second place.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quote

 

 

At 73 I'm quite content. I've done virtually everything I've wanted to do, seen what I've wanted to see, and been where I wanted to go. Frankly don't want or crave 10+ hours on an airplane anymore, so content to simply enjoy my family and Thailand. Still working full time simply because I enjoy working and I'm not sure what I'd do with all my time if I didn't work. Money isn't an issue, I don't need to scrimp and save, I buy what I want and do what I want to do. As far as I'm concerned, I'm living the dream life, alive and well in Thailand and don't miss a thing from my PR, the USofA. Haven't been back there in many years and don't see a need to rush back anytime soon, if ever. I'm not anticipating EoL, know it will come when it comes. Not waiting for nor embracing it.

17 minutes ago, Grusa said:

Sod that! Spend! Spend! Spend!

 

Or give it to me...... at least I will spend it wisely, your extended family won't.

So far not too bad for me. 5 years of paying for stepdaughter's university course resulted in success. Mrs happy with a 10 year old SUV. Niece, stepson and stepdaughter so far satisfied with twenty year old vehicles. Next it's houses for them!

3 hours ago, soalbundy said:

Filling ones life with activities and bucket lists isn't a source of happiness, fleeting enjoyment is just distraction but that is just my opinion.

Many can't bear silence and solitude because then something unknown starts nudging their consciousness and wants to shine through the baggage of 'me'.

Speaking for myself, activities and bucket lists take my mind off the reality of my existence, which is a good thing, and "silence and solitude" are all very well if busy with "activities and bucket lists", but not if they allow reality to sneak in, which only leads to feeling sorry for myself.

Short of winning lotto, that's not going to change.

2 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

So far not too bad for me. 5 years of paying for stepdaughter's university course resulted in success. Mrs happy with a 10 year old SUV. Niece, stepson and stepdaughter so far satisfied with twenty year old vehicles. Next it's houses for them!

I hope they thank Buddha every day for sending a big spending farang to live with them.

2 hours ago, paulbrow said:

Still working full time simply because I enjoy working and I'm not sure what I'd do with all my time if I didn't work.

Could always become a volunteer and make poor people's lives better.

2 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

Three score years and ten being at the front of your mind?

Certainly seemed like the end of a chapter for me.

On 4/9/2023 at 2:17 AM, georgegeorgia said:

So I wondered now many of you are in your 70's , are you still making bucket lists for the next 10 years you have left ?

I'm planning on being here more than 10 years – I'm 73 now – and I have a lot of thing still to do, or continue to do...

 

On 4/9/2023 at 2:17 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Why hoard your money at that age ,go out and spend it ,don't you think so instead of hoarding it 

In case I might live long time, it's not much fun penny-less...???? ...My plan is to have lots of fun...????

Furthermore I have a teenage daughter, who is my only heir, that might find it useful, if I don't manage to spend all my modest savings...

 

On 4/9/2023 at 2:17 AM, georgegeorgia said:

So back to my original question,what have you got planned until your 83?

For the next decade, until I'm 83, is about one third or less of my planned remaining time here. I have a lot of writing to do – in my plans – and otherwise I just keep on doing what I already do, like in the saying: "We don't stop dancing because we grow old – we grow old because we stop dancing."

 

Worth to think about:
"The idea is to 'die young'... as late as possible", said by an extremely old lady posing as happy dancer, and: "Time does not exist – we invented it. Time is what the clock says. The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion." The latter comes from Albert Einstein, who should know a little bit about this relative time-thing...????

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I hope they thank Buddha every day for sending a big spending farang to live with them.

My Mrs thanks me for not being an alcoholic. There's time yet! 

I'm 70, I started lifting weights with a trainer 6 months ago. Currently doing it every other day.

 

The results: Ok-ish, not that great; don't believe media hype. With such a late start, it may take 2 more years to get a flat belly. A great lesson in patience, humility, and acceptance.

 

I don't dread the gym anymore, I even miss it if I don't go; like I used to just show up and punch my internal time clock to meditate, I know I will progress, just not at my preferred rate.

 

My diet is good, my booze is about 4 units a week, my pot habit half a spliff a day. Beyond that and the exercise, I've dropped a lot of stress of about doing what I'm supposed to be doing, now that I am doing it.

 

Travel-wise, I have a friend in São Paulo who rates it as the most intellectual and pervy dating market in the world. Would love to do a Turkey, Iran (on a tour), Jerusalem, Marrikash swing through. Def a Mediterranean swing thru or three. The Chiang Mai smoke season is off peak for most places I still want to see.

 

I want more comfort and am willing to pay for it. Those 800 baht a night places have brutal mattresses. If a cab door to door from my BKK hotel to my Hua Hin hotel is "only" $60 more than the mini-van, this is the first year when I'm not thinking twice about it.

 

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

It's wonderful that Arthur is doing his best. But that doesn't negate reality.

Or why else are all leading sport performers young and not old?

sorry but I don't see the relevance to your question. The topic is about older people being on a downhill slide physically, and I've suggested a means to slow/reverse that slide. Nothing to do with leading sports performers being young and not old.

16 minutes ago, khunPer said:

I'm planning on being here more than 10 years – I'm 73 now – and I have a lot of thing still to do, or continue to do...

 

In case I might live long time, it's not much fun penny-less...???? ...My plan is to have lots of fun...????

Furthermore I have a teenage daughter, who is my only heir, that might find it useful, if I don't manage to spend all my modest savings...

 

For the next decade, until I'm 83, is about one third or less of my planned remaining time here. I have a lot of writing to do – in my plans – and otherwise I just keep on doing what I already do, like in the saying: "We don't stop dancing because we grow old – we grow old because we stop dancing."

 

Worth to think about:
"The idea is to 'die young'... as late as possible", said by an extremely old lady posing as happy dancer, and: "Time does not exist – we invented it. Time is what the clock says. The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion." The latter comes from Albert Einstein, who should know a little bit about this relative time-thing...????

Thats great to hear passing 54, and feel gravity is against me, but I had great use of gravity when younger for fun. Guess it is pay back time, and I enjoy a bit more less things on my agenda as semi retired retarded ????

Just now, LaosLover said:

I'm 70, I started lifting weights with a trainer 6 months ago. Currently doing it every other day.

 

The results: Ok-ish, not that great; don't believe media hype. With such a late start, it may take 2 more years to get a flat belly. A great lesson in patience, humility, and acceptance.

 

I don't dread the gym anymore, I even miss it if I don't go; like I used to just show up and punch my internal time clock to meditate, I know I will progress, just not at my preferred rate.

 

My diet is good, my booze is about 4 units a week, my pot habit half a spliff a day. Beyond that and the exercise, I've dropped a lot of stress of about doing what I'm supposed to be doing, now that I am doing it.

 

Travel-wise, I have a friend in São Paulo who rates it as the most intellectual and pervy dating market in the world. Would love to do a Turkey, Iran (on a tour), Jerusalem, Marrikash swing through. Def a Mediterranean swing thru or three. The Chiang Mai smoke season is off peak for most places I still want to see.

 

I want more comfort and am willing to pay for it. Those 800 baht a night places have brutal mattresses. If a cab door to door from my BKK hotel to my Hua Hin hotel is "only" $60 more than the mini-van, this is the first year when I'm not thinking twice about it.

 

Training all my life, and weights since 22, flat belly is a nice goal, but should not be measurement for healthier and more happy.

 

The road is the journey 

Just now, Hummin said:

should not be measurement for healthier and more happy.

 

The road is the journey 

Agreed. Like I said, the self-care and personal responsibility comittments have done as much for my well being as the dumb bells.

 

And the endorphin rise from exercise is subtle, but cumulative. It really is like water on a rock.

 

Magical thinking about drinking protein shakes goes nowhere. Educating myself about and including more high quality protein every time I eat or soon after is very doggedly taking a kilo off of me a month.

 

I learned a lot here from Big Star and Lacset and others. Not too many sources available about late age training from people who have actually done it.

On 4/9/2023 at 10:10 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

I enjoyed all my life including my work, and I am still working.

Will life get better when I will be older? Somehow I don't think so. Even if the mind is still fine, the body is just not capable of doing the same like 10 or 20 years ago. That's reality.

Or not?

Mostly true. But a lot has to do with your level of physical activity over the years. I'm 67 (retired), always kept active , running, swimming, mountain biking etc. I run 10k events now, won a few trophies, but the big reward is being healthy. Never too late to get the body back in shape.

50 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Thats great to hear passing 54, and feel gravity is against me, but I had great use of gravity when younger for fun. Guess it is pay back time, and I enjoy a bit more less things on my agenda as semi retired retarded ????

If you have a bucket list don't dilly dally about getting it done, as once old age catches up you may not be able to do it any more. I used to love tramping but no way I'd ever last the distance now.

 

BTW 54 is young. I was fine for another 16 years after that.

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Speaking for myself, activities and bucket lists take my mind off the reality of my existence, which is a good thing, and "silence and solitude" are all very well if busy with "activities and bucket lists", but not if they allow reality to sneak in, which only leads to feeling sorry for myself.

Short of winning lotto, that's not going to change.

Although counter intuitive the point was, there is no reality to existence, everything is a manifestation, nothing exists in and of itself. The Rishi sages whose meditative experiences 4,000 years ago lay the foundations of Hinduism said that only Brahman (we would say consciousness) is real, all else is Maya, an illusory 'reality'. Quantum theory (which nobody really understands as it too is counter intuitive) says all 'particles' (which are really vibrations) only come into apparent existence when the particle wave function collapses due to observation, until then it is only a probability and is spread out in the whole universe. Experiments in quantum mechanics have also shown that the future affects the past which lends credence to spiritual thinking that neither are 'real' and only the present moment 'exists' (although not really). It's a paradox of understanding of that which isn't but is never the less experiential.

10 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

Although counter intuitive the point was, there is no reality to existence, everything is a manifestation, nothing exists in and of itself. The Rishi sages whose meditative experiences 4,000 years ago lay the foundations of Hinduism said that only Brahman (we would say consciousness) is real, all else is Maya, an illusory 'reality'. Quantum theory (which nobody really understands as it too is counter intuitive) says all 'particles' (which are really vibrations) only come into apparent existence when the particle wave function collapses due to observation, until then it is only a probability and is spread out in the whole universe. Experiments in quantum mechanics have also shown that the future affects the past which lends credence to spiritual thinking that neither are 'real' and only the present moment 'exists' (although not really). It's a paradox of understanding of that which isn't but is never the less experiential.

Meanwhile in real life......................

Theories don't make me happy the way a pretty body next to me when I woke up did.

18 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

If you have a bucket list don't dilly dally about getting it done, as once old age catches up you may not be able to do it any more. I used to love tramping but no way I'd ever last the distance now.

 

BTW 54 is young. I was fine for another 16 years after that.

I think I still do more than most, but when it comes to bucket list, Im done, and happy to go as things happening around me. Always wanted to ride motorbike a few more places, and a few more countries, but politics, conflicts and war have stopped me so far, and to be true, Im okay.

 

No more excuses for anything I do or do not do, and its a great feeling.

The guy here who had a couple of seemingly well friends die suddenly has really stayed with me.

 

Every moment is a gift. That's why they call it the present.

30 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Meanwhile in real life......................

Theories don't make me happy the way a pretty body next to me when I woke up did.

I can agree with that.......obviously it's all about experience but on the other hand the experience pales after an hour and after a day it's as if it never happened, joy from outside of the true self 'atman' (not the 'me') needs constant replenishment, atman is the pure joy of being, synonymous with Brahman, when not smothered by the 'me' and its constant need for labels of identification and its search for meaning in pleasure. Even in Christianity (and all major religions) there are hints of this, in the bible when God/Brahman/consciousness was asked for his name the answer, "I am that I am" was given, nothing else was needed, no labels, no reasons, atman is attributeless, self- illuminating, unrelated, omnipresent but it apparently needs the illusion of Maya to be aware of itself. Death of the 'me' is release and freedom for the atman (poorly translated as the soul, atman is Brahman/God/consciousness, there is only one absolute.

Sorry, it's just a small thing.

It should be you're (as in you are) not your.

Not trying to cause trouble, it just makes me crazy.

8 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Or why else are all leading sport performers young and not old?

No. Old ones abound but get no publicity.

 

the National Senior Games, held every other year, brings together remarkable older athletes, some of them in their nineties and beyond. The record for the hundred-meter dash for women ages one hundred and up is about forty-one seconds.

 

. . .

 

A small study of nine well-trained octogenarian endurance athletes (cross-country skiers) found that their average VO2 max was 38, versus 21 for a control group of untrained octogenarian men, a difference of more than 80 percent. That’s huge. The athletes had the aerobic capacity of people decades younger than them,[*3] while the men in the control group had declined so far that they were on the verge of losing their ability to live independently.

    --Peter Attia, The Art and Science of Longevity

7 hours ago, newnative said:

I hate all birthdays ending in '0' but 70 is by far the worst of them, with 50 in second place.  

The rate of aging starts to accelerate around 70 and really picks up at 75. It'd be nice if it would stay on the same gradual slope as in previous decades--but no. So that's disappointing. But it means that the effort to slow the decline must remain a priority.