How can we stop becoming 'old' as we age?

Galen over some 25 Years never got a full blown bend but lots of niggles left untreated. Including I am told a gas bubble in the left hand side of my brain which I presume eventually cleared itself. The three and a half to five days decompressions were slow but sometimes not slow enough. It was after all in the experimental days of decompression Schedules and therapeutic recompression. I was a lucky one. Friends were confined to wheelchairs whilst others died. I decided I wanted to live long enough to be a nuisance to the kids something I am told I achieved some time ago.
Sorry I have taken my night time pills and sleeping pill with hot chocolate and I can feel my body shutting down so its bed for me. Good night!

Did you get the bends?

granjura I was in the underwater business and Inland Revenue (as Revenue and Customs were) permitted us to draw a pension at 40. I guess at 40 we were considered generally past our best, physically at least, hopefully not mentally. Fortunately I have not suffered ill health with the exception of Arthritis as a consequence of too many years compressing and decompressing my body but it is controlled - most of the time. Nothing unusual I'm afraid.

I became one at 49. I took ill health retirement from the civil service which meant my pension started immediately.

how does one become a pensioner at the age of 40 ????

Well for what its worth I am 64, now live alone, am far too busy to consider getting old, have been a pensioner since the age of 40, am told by my eldest (daughter) to act my age and not my shoe size but still remain reasonably fit. I am building overseas (which helps with the fitness) but do have a sweet tooth and cannot resist the local cuisine either. That's the down side.
At home in UK I confess I no longer go out but used to spend most of my time outdoors but now busy myself with either housework, gardening or building / decorating / mending or erecting things for the children. I have two, one of each. If anyone could find time to get old amongst that lot I would love to know.

My 23 year old GS who is living with me keeps me young.

Would the car be a Nissan Micra. I have one. It's a joke with the family!
In my defence, it was such a good buy and has never let me down.

I'm too young to be this old!

Don't have time to get old. Far to busy!

For me, it is volunteering and working constantly with young people in the Community. My neighbours are young and I help with the kids, the local primary school, and I teach English, German and French to local kids. They make me laugh - treat me like an 'auntie' and it keeps me active in so many ways. I help with cross-country skiing, caving, walking and soon on a camp at a Bird Park for a few days. Love it.

They all know I am away often - and fit around my travel and other activities.

my advice on growing old. use it or lose it both mentaklly and physically. i am 91 but still do a trolley round with WRVS at my local hospital one afternoon a week, sure i feel tired after doing it but it is agood tired feeling.

I wholeheartedly endorse Gransnetters who have joined forces to tackle the ever ubiquitous prejudice of the elderly in the UK and to that end would like to recommend to readers Christopher Holt's novel, "The Winter Chaser".
Not only is it an exciting and compulsive page turner but it also highlights a future Britain in which everyone is encouraged to do everything possible to remain forever young and are punished for non-compliance. Ivan Wyngate, a 65 year old eminent scientist rebels against this smugly ageist society in which a seemingly benevolent yet ludicrous nanny state is determined to diminish his achievements and turn him into a worthless pensioner of no account. His ingenious methods of outwitting the authorities make encouraging and amusing reading and what a refreshing change to have a literary hero with age and experience behind him!

OOPS! Granny23 well spotted, DS2. Still got DH1. Am poorly so that is the excuse I am sticking to!

Moved did you mean DS2 or was your 2nd husband VERY young?

Thanks for the support and name suggestions on decluttering.
Not a minimalist but do like things in their place

Granny23 your dad sounds such fun . I love fearless people like him he must have had such a good time!. I think the key to staying young is to make time for your family and friends ( nothing like a good girls night out !) , to keep your sense of humour and to try new things even if it takes you out of your comfort zone.

Good for you movedalot and hope you're better soon.

Oh crikey bobs , will be watching !

Hope you better soon

nonu if you had seen me yesterday you might want to rethink that! Oh and that was while I was really poorly, still am!

Granny23 - Wish I could have met him - he sounded amazing!! Think from this day forward I shall emulate him - will let you know how I get on though might need bailing out at some point! lol

Move ., think me way ahead of you !!!!!!!!

I'm a born minimalist, Rinky - no clutter to de-clutter. If you ever need a partner..........

How about 'Clutterbuster', Rinky?

ana & nonu I think we are kindred spirits, shall we grow old disgracefully together?

Bags love the unpredictability! I am always surprising my family and have no intention of letting them get complacent. When DH2 was at a theatrical boarding school he was very proud of the fact that his mum was 'mad'.

On the outside I am just like everyone else but every now and again I jump out and shock them. Yesterday's airport chaos (no baggage on our plane or the previous 2) needed sorting by someone so this little old lady took on the authorities while all the others passively watched! They were all pleased with me but did nothing themselves. And I was wearing a very loud top!