Has anyone else noticed their energy levels change as they've got older?

Ditto! I hate it as I've always been active my whole life,heavily involved in sport anI am retired PE teacher. Think I can still do at 70 what I did 50 years ago! 🤣 but I won't stop but does take me longer to recovet. I am trying to pace myself!!! Not easy for me but.....

I have a 2 hour rule. Active for 2 hours then stop, cup of tea, rest and then do another stint. Seems to work for me and also reduces the extra aches and pains for doing too much.

This heat has got to me, I cease to function at 25 degrees. Dogs all asleep too , on Coolmats ! These days I need to stop and sit down,( 81,). husband (83) sits down and falls asleep !

Pkease get your thyroid levels checked!

Yes. Yesterday was a busy day for me. Over to our son’s house (about 15 mile drive) and went out to lunch with him. Then off to an ophthalmology appointment for a regular check up. Then another 15 mile drive to visit my sister in law who recently lost her husband and is struggling. Then across to a sailing Club which my husband belongs to, where he was on duty as race organiser for the evening. So from going out at 11.30 we didn’t get back until about 9. Nothing particularly strenuous, but today I’m shattered. I kept thinking beforehand - there are four separate things to do yesterday. I’m better coping with just one or two. I never used to be like this.

Erica23

I was just thinking about how tired I am when I saw this thread. We’ve had the Grandchildren here today since 8am we’ve baked biscuits, cleaned up, been for a walk in the woods, made lunch, then the park for two hours, then home for an hour sit down before making tea. Took them home at 6pm.
Lovely day but so tired now. I’m 69 it’s hard to know if it’s normal.

Well I’m exactly the same so let’s agree we’re normal 😊

It's normal we all slow down some do it at 60 some keep going until 80 and more, Ive slowed down, I don't take risks like I used to, if I look after myself I might last another 10 yrs which is nice, so thats my current goal.

I still feel reasonably energetic at 75, though sometimes put my feet up and read (and maybe snooze!) for a while after lunch.

A few people mentioned thyroid- mine was overactive for years and I was afraid when I got it removed that I would lose the energy I always had. However, that was not the case. I was put on 100 mcg/day Eltroxin and have been on same dose since (regular blood tests). I know some docs seem to want to keep on lower levels based on blood tests, but if mine have ever been borderline I've asked to stay on same dose as I feel fine.

There are lots of other reasons for slowing down, apart from the actual aging! Boredom is definitely one, so being involved in some activities helps.

I,m 72 and work 3 hours a week one day a week cleaning in a local shop.The company now want,s each area done in a short time and it,s exhausting I wanted to keep doing the job as it,s company and exercise, Mt husband died at the beginning of last year he ended up chair and bed bound sleeping in the front room in a hospital bed carers coming 4 times a day but i was his carer the rest of the time.It get,s lonely he,d been ill for some time before being bed and chair bound and was,nt doing much just watching tv or doing crossword puzzles or reading.Had the job about 8 years but think it,s time to give it up usually okay by the next day but in this heat taking longer so though the money is a help and talking to other people is nice plus as I say the exercise reluctantly have to hand my notice in.

Yes, me too, despairing.
If I do a yoga class followed by a swim, I really struggle now to do the weekly shop afterwards - I’m literally dead on my feet, finding it impossible.
Age 70.
Trying to keep on top with relevant supplements - CoQ10 to accompany the statins / B12 / Magnesium…hoping for other ideas.
I don’t recognise when my blood sugar is low and that I need to eat for energy.
Having said all this, I did manage recently to go skiing, alone, high up on glaciers - so I suppose it can’t be all bad.

AGAA4

I am wondering why when on holiday a few months ago I was able to walk around all day with just a short stop for a coffee and still feel fine in the evening. Now home my hour's walk tires me and I need a rest and can only do things in short bursts. Can't understand it 🤔

I would guess that adrenaline kicked in when on holiday.

Oreo

MawsRosie

Is anybody surprised?
Of course our energy levels aren’t what they were.
It’s called ageing and every organism does it.

I know 😁 but it’s the first and only time that we’ve been old and it’s surprised us.

It didn’t surprise me. I just rage against the age 🤬
I have a dip about 2 in the afternoon but about 8 in the evening I get a second wind and do stuff then.
Up at 6, bed about 10.30.
I think it counts for a lot that my work was sometimes very physical. Plus that we have been serious DIYers for 45 years.
It also helps that I’m almost Comatose when asleep. I never wake in the night.
I know what that tiredness feels like as I have pernicious anemia and I know when my B12 injection is due.

Oreo

MawsRosie
Is anybody surprised?
Of course our energy levels aren’t what they were.
It’s called ageing and every organism does it.
I know 😁 but it’s the first and only time that we’ve been old and it’s surprised us.

Love your response Oreo- it really made me giggle

So sorry Jane43 to hear about your cousin. It does hit hard when you’ve been so close.
I am 83 too and find this heat is unbearable and I spend a lot of time near a fan. Take it easy, get a cleaner if that will help. Only do what is absolutely necessary. I plan to do one thing on one day and find everything else can wait.

An easy way to spell stationery/stationary...remember "e" is for envelope. Hope your pain eases soon JennyCee

Since I was about 63, I have found that if I had one hectic day with lots of activity, I needed a quieter day the next day in order to recharge my batteries!

I looked after grandchildren while their parents worked - 25 and 20 years ago, for 5 then 4 years each before school started. I coudln't do it now.

Definitely, yes. I'm still working and a full day at work now leaves me exhausted. Especially when I have to come home and walk the dog. Having the grandchildren overnight is an epic and I struggle. But I'm proud to be still doing it all at 64 and with heart failure and various other health issues. Go me!

oh this thread is so encouraging, I am on my own, and feel lonely, I do get out with a couple of friends sometimes, and that is my problem, not having anyone to "compare" talk with? I am so tired! and leave things, I hate this age thing.. so I am not "ill" it is ageing? thank you I am just 90 and had my birthday in June, mentally I have aged!

Totally normal and expected Of course you won’t be as energetic at 70/80 as you were at 50/60 I didn’t notice much difference until I hit 80 but still managing 20 hours a week voluntary work an allotment and walking most places within a couple of miles but not further now
Mind you I fall asleep at the drop of a hat once I do sit down
🤣🤣🤣

Polban, you sound as if you are very good for your age, energy levels are bound to alter as we age, loneliness is a problem for so many as we get older. Our children are getting old themselves and friends have health issues or die.

Reading back over this I think perhaps it’s younger grandmas saying they are surprised. I had the same energy levels until 80 ish and even now they pretty good.
I think it’s a use it or lose it case, I still do the same amount of work etc, what I have found different in the last year or two is my confidence for going to new places or doing new things, I seem to want to stick with familiar territory and routines, I suppose at 81 that’s probably normal too. Do any other 80 s find that ?
I do not feel my age at all ( mind you I don’t do much housework) the minimum needed to stay clean and tidy, as Quentin Crisp said total waste of time, anyway living alone you don’t make much mess and I just do what is necessary when it is necessary

Polnan you sound fantastic for 90
I have a cousin who was 100 this year she says she feels she’s not as energetic as she was !!!

BlueBelle I’m just turning 80 and like you I prefer home turf and my usual routines. I put this partly down to failing eyesight. I’m finding that I have to slow down and take regular breaks. I have to plan for busy days carefully as I will be tired the next day and even worse the day after that. I do think it’s important not to compare yourself with others, we all have different constitutions and health problems to take into account.

bluebell not so far although I turned 80 in February.

I’m happy to go anywhere new, except perhaps driving - although I still do drive in new and unfamiliar areas, I am frightened that I’ll be a bit dithery and annoy other drivers. So this week I drove into an unfamiliar area in Sussex, but managed ok - that gives you confidence I think, as on the way back - I chose a different unfamiliar route - because I dropped into a garden centre, and was happier doing that as I think my confidence level had risen a tad.

Although note to self - I must make an appointment for eye test, as my sight seems to have deteriorated.