When I'm sixty four.

[Photogeek]

As a teenager I loved the Beatles, and Bob Dylan and so on, when I listen to this song, it all seemed so so far away. I thought sixty four thats nearly a pensioner, sitting drinking cocoa or knitting in the rocking chair.

How did it happen, I am sixty four today, and there is a problem It just sounds so old, I cannot believe myself I am this age,Its on the birth cert, but mentally I feel much younger.

My Spanish friend who is older and a real extrovert had a little get together for me, I am not great at social type occasions, as I am quiet, I prefer to talk one to one, I tend to fade into the background in a group. Sometimes this gets me down, and I think its because of Depression, I want to make a few changes in my life, and the biggest change I want to make is to get out every day and excercise. I used to love walking and was very energetic type, always on the go, but since I got Depressed I seemed to have lost the inclination to go for walk, the day goes, and I hate to admit it, but some days I don't even go out of my apartment, which is not good when you live alone.

Part of me realises that I have to watch that I don't get isolated, so tomorrow, I am really going to make a post birthday resolution to get out and walk. I know I will feel good when I come in from a walk. I have changed so much and this worries me. I hope everyone doesnt feel I am complaining about nothing. So if anyone could share with me how they manage to motivate themselves to excercise I would be delighted. I am lacking in Motivation, even though my antidepressant has helped my Depression, I lack that get up and go. Its great reading all the posts as I feel you are my friends, and I try and help anyone I can.

Everyone have a great weekend. Birthday hugs to all.

Hannah

[Hidden]

Happy birthday to you..a little late I know ...good for you that you are thinking of making changes too!! I totally empathise with you and some days in don't go out at all, well actually for days ..I only gave up work a month ago, due to anxiety.. so I guess it's early days for me, but i to wish to make some changes and I'm trying hard to do so.

I hope your day has been a good one..

Sue xxx

[Photogeek]

Thanks Sue, it will take you a while to get into new routine.We will stick at making changes. Take care and have good weekend.

Hannah xx

[Hidden]

Please, please DO IT.

I didn't and now I've been agoraphobic for years. The only time I go out is to GP and hospital appointments and even then I sometimes cancel because I can't face going cos of the strangers there. I have to ask at my GPs for a quiet appointment time otherwise they have to find me a room on my own to wait in.

The longer you leave it the harder it gets, I know. You have to make yourself. Because I sit in a lot I have now also got emphysema through no motivation to do anything and just staying home smoking cigs..

I am only 56 and have been disabled with Schizo Affective Disorder for ten years and now also with the emphysema. Time soon passes you by, I can't believe how fast.

SO - please, please DO IT.

Sorry I missed your birthday, happy belated birthday!

(((Hugs)))

Lorraine

[Photogeek]

Lorraine, thank you very much for those kind and honest words, I definitely will do my best to get out every day, because as you say time flys so so fast,

I really appreciate your answer, please stay in touch.

Big hug to your. Have a good weekend.

Hannah xx

[Jeffju]

I turned 64 last month and ,like you, wonder where all those years have gone. They were certainly great times to grow up in.I go for a 40 minute walk every morning,( except Sundays, my lie-in day).I bump into people on my walk and just a cheery 'good morning' lifts you up.

Most mornings when I get up I am feeling quite anxious but once I have been on my walk I feel really good. It is proven that excercise gets your good endoprphins flowing and this helps depression. So be brave and make your move to get walking. Spring is with you now in the UK, what better time to start, renewal for you. All the very best.

[missrat]

Happy belated birthday! I'll soon be 67 and live alone, apart from 28 fancy rats and a hamster!

I don't exercise as much as I'd like to, because of physical problems, but am trying to get walking more.

I wonder if, from your name, you enjoy photography? If so, spring gives you pleny of opportunity - flower macros etc.!

Best wishes

Ann

[plaits]

Hi Hannah

Hope you had a lovely birthday.

Just a thought. Have you tried Tai Chi as a form of exercise? It's soft and gentle, but surprisingly beneficial.

[knowles8586]

The sun gets me out, I suffer from depression it hits me worse in the winter

I also suffer from vertigo which can come on at any time

I have 2 dogs which make me go out even when I dont want to

just take little steps maybe 20mins in the mornings to start with

I am embarrased because Ive put quite a bit of weight on and think people are looking at me

and i really want to lose it keep trying you will get therex

[Photogeek]

Thank everyone for your kind and helpful words, so here I am ready to go out for

my walk. Its a sunny day here but still chilly. Again thanks, and dont worry what anyone else thinks of us, and `i will look for Tai Chi classes too.

Hannah x

[SueBeeSue]

Hi Hannah,

When I started to exercise again, I said to myself, just go out, if it's too much after 5 mins, come in. But I rarely did come in after 5 mins, it was just the starting and in my case setting unrealistic goals too early. If you can do 15 - 20 mins a day that's great. I do yoga, which I find hugely beneficial. It's helped with flexibility, fitness, posture and stress.

Also, another idea. Is there anyone locally that needs their dog walking? Lots of people are out all day at work and would really love someone to walk their dog from time to time.

Hope this helps. Sue xx

[Photogeek in reply to SueBeeSue]

Sue thanks for kind and helpful as always reply. Its been great and now I have lots of ideas and little plans now , no excuses.

Take care of you too.

love

Hannah

[Lush__x]

To be fair on you, it doesnt help in winter...the urge to go outside is not great.

But now (hopefully) the warmer weather is coming we will want to go out more

Do you have a friend you can go out walking with? I love going for one on one walks with my friends and i intend to do this when i move back home.

Happy belated birthday too you

xxx

[Gambit62]

Thank you for your question - the honest answer is that I'm not sure how I motivate myself but here are some possibilities.

a) Bloody mindedness/anger: I'm not just a mind, I'm also a body. My mind may be making me feel awful mentally and I don't seem to be able to do anything about it but at least I can make sure it doesn't do the same to my body

b) Fear - I suffer from migraines and discovered, after I started 'running' a few years ago - late 40s - that the migraines were actually much easier to control

c) Habbit - it's part of my routine and its the routine that helps me to keep going (through the motions) even when I really don't feel like doing so

d) Pleasure - I actually enjoy it. It's something to look forward to and I suspect its a bit of relief from the mental anguish. When I was younger - in my 20s - it was a way of getting to a place where the thoughts stopped and I could just be - sort of meditation I guess. Can't quite run in the same way but there is still that element of being in touch with the body and out of the trap of my mind. It's much easier to get out of bed in the morning if I know I'm going to go for a run or even a walk of late as running hasn't been possible whilst recovering from a bust ankle.

e) It helps me feel connected. I like to walk. I like to run or walk. I like to listen to the dawn chorus - or cacophony as I call it I like to see the bats fly around me in the twilight. I like to see the butterflies and the colours of flowers. It makes me feel connected with the world.

f) achievement: I'm not competitive and more or less hated sports at school but at least I've done something and burnt off a few calories

g) it gets me out of the house - a change of scenery.

I hope that you do manage to get yourself motivated. I certainly find it helps me, for some of the reasons above. I guess the biggest one is getting me out of my mind and into my body - getting some of the balance between the two back. Sure it will be the same for you. After a while I don't think 'motivation' is really needed. It's part of the structure and, as I said above it helps to have that structure and just follow it - particularly on the days when I really don't want to be alive or do anything.

There are days when I don't get much exercise - particularly at the moment where swelling and susceptibility to pain means I don't want to move - I'm doing more cycling at the moment because that's less painful than walking but even that gets too painful at time. Its important to be understanding with yourself if there are periods when it just doesn't happen and start again.

Also, go with little things. It doesn't have to be a walk or a run and it doesn't have to be getting out of the house if that gets difficult. I find simple push-offs against the wall in the bedroom if I feel really anxious can help.

And as for 64 - that's really ancient

I remember thinking when I was growing up that 35 was really old. I'm 50 so have been passed that for a long time. It's all relative. And there will always be a bit of us that never grows old ... which has just reminded me of a science article in the papers a few months ago which said that us oldies had it all wrong when it came to exercise and we should be doing things the way toddlers do - dawdle with little catch up sprints.

[Hecter]

Oh yes always try to get out and about.I am nearly 60 and I know that some days I just want to stay in bed but if I can persuade myself to get up and dressed and then out, I always feel better.Where I live there are benches in some of the grassed areas and there is always someone passing or will stop and chat.Even a walk to the paper shop I meet people and if it is raining well I have a good range of umbrellas to choose from.I too enjoy yoga and tai chi and also do pilates.I have even joined a ballroom class and have found loads of people there at these activities that are good to chat to.Let us all know how you get on.

[Photogeek in reply to Hecter]

Thanks Hecter for you reply. I have loads of ideas now, and have really gotten

a lot of help from all of you. Take care and a big hug to you.

Hannah

[Suzie40]

I've only just logged in for the first time today, Penblywdd Haus a ti!!!! X

[Hidden]

Hi Hannah. Its funny I have been wondering a lot recently how I have got so old too! I will be 60 next year which seems a great age. I find myself looking back as well and wondering where all the years went. And thinking I haven't ended up with much in life. And thinking that time is running out. Its depressing really isn't it?

I am not working at the moment because I can't get a job. I make my own structure though which, for me is essential. I take my sisters dog out walking every day as my sister is unable too. Its a great way to excercise. If you like dogs you can help out with dogs for the blind or deaf. I don't know the website but they are always looking for volunteers to take dogs in for a short period, look after them and walk them. If you live near an animal place I am sure they would 'bite' your hand off if you offered to excersise dogs too. There is nothing like taking a dog for a good long walk. That would certainly motivate you and get you out in the fresh air and, hopefully, sunshine.

Bev x

PS I Loved the Beatles too x

[Photogeek]

Thank you all who replied and left me so much food for thought, now I will really put all the

help into practice, you are all so caring and taking so much time with answers too. I will let you know how I get on.Its so nice to hear how others cope with things, and I have learned so much on this site, and hopefully I have spurred others on to make positive changes.

Love

Hannah

[teajay]

I can relate to the Beatles song too...I am trying very hard to change my thoughts about age... there are things I want to to explore and when someone or myself for that matter says that I'm too old to do that now it makes me angry. I've been getting some positive ideas on a website called: Growing Bolder.com.... very inspiring. All we have is now... so happy now Hannah.

Tamra

[Photogeek]

Thanks Tamra, will check out that Growing.Bolder.com site.

Hannnah x