How old do you feel, and how old are you?

I’m just turned 74 and I move like a ninety year old these days. I’m still in denial about it and it’s probably why I spend a lot of time lying on the sofa with the dog watching catchup tv or listening to podcasts. Because I still feel like ‘ me’ if I don’t try to move. It’s awfully depressing, isn’t it . Until recently I felt really young for my age, too. I do envy people that don’t have arthritis. Went for a walk with my son and his family the other day and I don’t think he realises that I can’t walk even though I do try to tell him.

I'm almost 75, and look younger, but atm have CFS so "feel my age".
But my experience is that people have started to treat me differently once they know I'm the age I am, and there is a lot of kindness around that goes with white hair and a friendly smile.

I have no conception of what it means to feel any specific age.

Mind and body are two entirely different things. My mind has no sense of age. Actually I do not think my body does either, merely a sense of what works and what doesn't.

As I am 82, I do not expect that to change

I don't feel old at all. I just feel 'different' to how I used to feel. Some of it is due to how people treat me and some because of the several traumas life has dealt me. I'm 76. A bit jaded (well a lot) but no I don't feel old but then I'm not sure how 'old' feels.

Varies and I can’t remember.

I think I would have found a good use for that handbag......

Nearly 81 mostly feel 51 but today because I m worrying about someone I feel 101

I'll be 78 this year and beginning to feel it. You can tell a person's age by the way they walk. Young people look very relaxed, while older people seem very tense.

I’m 88 but as I’ve never been this age before I don’t know how I am supposed to feel.
In my head I’ve barely changed, obviously my body has changed but that’s ok that is expected.
As long as I feel the same inside I will be fine.

I’m 72, and despite having heart failure, arthritis and renal failure I actually don’t feel too ancient much of the time. I try to keep moving as much as possible, enjoy walking the dogs (I do at least 3 miles a day) and I have crafts I enjoy like crochet, knitting, art and also gardening.
I do have days that are harder but I just do as I like.
DH is 76 and seems very much older than that to many people, he doesn’t look after his health and has no hobbies or interests. His sister, who’s a very experienced nurse, said he looks 85+ but her suggestions to him fell on deaf ears……
I agree with M0nica, I think age and body are two different things.

I think, whatever your age, if you feel reasonably well, age isn’t an issue.

It’s when you don’t feel well, that you start to worry and begin to realise you are getting ‘old’, with all that entails.

I am a few weeks off 78 but thanks to arthritis in several places I often feel older. I go to lots of groups, enjoy spending time with my 4 youngest grandchildren who need collecting from schools etc.
My mind is at odds with my body at times as it often seems younger.
However, it's much better than the alternative, so I try to keep soldiering on.

I’m 71 but I’m not sure what age I feel. It seems to change on a daily basis and of course everyone is different. In my head I feel young and most people say I don’t look to be over 70.

I’m 77 and starting to feel it especially first thing I have Arthritis all over but I need to do exercises on the bed to stretch my bones or I’m hobbling around for a couple of hours. I’m better once I get going but I know I look ninety on the stairs as I slowly cling to the handrail determined I won’t trip up or fall down. Better safe than sorry.

I'm 77. Last year I was feeling tired, a little foggy and slept badly. I was waiting for a procedure on my heart and said to my cardiologist that my quality of life was decreasing and I didn't know if it was my age, my heart condition or the drugs I was taking. A year later, having had the treatment that I needed I came off most of the drugs . I feel like a new woman, I've got my energy and enthusiasm for life back and I'm able to do the activities again that I had found impossible. Age is but a number but illness and the drugs that control those illnesses contribute to how we feel and the pain associated with arthritis and other conditions sap energy and spoil people's lives. I feel incredibly lucky to feel well again and yes, it's making me feel "younger" than I did last year. I'm never going to take good health for granted again.

I’m 71 this year, and my life hasn’t changed much over the years, still working, still doing childcare, still hosting big occasions.
I feel much the same as I ever did, but I admit to being much more tired, and can fall asleep practically anywhere.
I think keeping active is key, every day over the Christmas break I got everyone out for walks, I know not everyone can do that, but if you can, it’s a tonic.
I’m aware that I could be stricken with some illness at any time, so I make the most of it.
I do agree with MayBee though, my children seem totally unaware of my age, I’m still on call for everything.

Should add I still do 20 hours a week work ( unpaid of course) what is often heavy work and often work a lot harder than some half my age that seem to have no get up and go at all

I’m 85. My mind feels the same as it has always been, perhaps a bit slower but basically fine. My body has become less mobile and my sense of balance has definitely deteriorated. I have heart failure.

So - mind is 35, body is about 90!

Much like Grandma70s my mind is in my 40s and wants to do so many things unfortunately my body is way ahead.

My 'old age' is more my lack of tolerance towards other people. I prefer my own company and prefer to do my own 'thing'. I find things other people get very excited about 'underwhelming'. There are several people and activities that still whet my appetite but I would say that intolerance has become my worst enemy. I have tried but just don't have the interest. Physically, I am still able to move around and walk short distances, get on a bus etc, but prefer to stay in my local small town. Mine is much more mental than physical at this point in time. I am 70.

I'm 60 and feel...urm... 60!

I am 76 and feel older than that due to caring for my 77 year old husband. Before he became seriously ill we were the kind of couple always off on holiday, walking/hiking for miles, and members of several clubs. Back then I felt much younger than my years.

Im 68 and tried the sit to stand test last week.
I was very chuffed with myself that I could do so many in the allotted 30 seconds and was bragging to my DH about my "wonderful" body strength.
However my over enthusiasm caused my back to seize up for the next 5 days, I could barely move and the pain was excruciating.

I'm almost 81, my body feels that age with arthritis, I've to hold onto chairs and doors to get around, but my mind says I'm still young, I wish my mind would let my body know..