K Graham wrote: ↑Fri Feb 25, 2022 6:09 pm
I've always managed to stay relatively healthy without going on extreme diets of any kind, but after I turned 50 I've noticed my metabolism slowed down substantially. So for the past few weeks I've regulated my diet for the first time since playing college ball. I've been on a high protein diet and I've lost 15 lbs as a result. I've been eating a lot of brown rice, edamame soy beans, lentils, broccoli, chicken, shrimp, blackberries, tuna etc. Something else that is very high in protein is peanuts (butter), pumpkin seeds and pistachios.
At 51 I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life. I'm not quite as strong as I was back in the 90's but I think that's due to joint pain restricting how much weight I can try to press. The most I've ever benched pressed was 325 lbs and right now I cannot go above 245 lbs without feeling like my joints will pop out of their sockets. If anyone knows of a miracle treatment for joint pain, feel free to share.
Awww you're just a baby to me.

I think that men and women experience aging differently. I do think men have more problems regarding weight bearing joints/spine/knees/hips than women, although we certainly aren't free and clear of it. What's weird for me is that I spent 30 years in a profession that is notorious for causing arthritic knees and I came out of it unscathed in that regard.

I have one finger, count 'em, one finger that gets pain and swells in winter. Other than that, I am free of joint pain where many other women my age are not.
There aren't any miracle treatments for joint pain. You keep the joint moving in order to keep it lubricated, if that doesn't help, you can use injections of gel and then eventually you do steroids (temporary relief if you are lucky but the joint will still wear ), and eventually you can do knee replacements. You can try taking glucosamine (sp?) and fish oil.
I keep thinking I'm a case of arrested development. I don't behave physically like I see other women my age do. For example, right now I am sitting on a bed with the laptop, sitting Indian style (not a racist remark) and posting. I'm more physically fidgety and flexible, and just more all over the place than most of the women I know. I don't sit still for long. I put myself at approx. age 5 in my movement.
A word about weights and bone loss...
I know women who dead lift incredible amounts of weight to increase bone density. It freaking works. Men tend not to lose bone density as rapidly as women do but that doesn't apply to all women or all men, and things like certain meds and conditions you might have cause significant bone loss. I have some bone loss but my expert doc says I'm perfectly fine in that regard with no intervention of any kind needed. The bone density tests they have don't read accurately for me but there's ways of adjusting the results and according to adjusted scores and labs, I'm not losing bone faster than I am making it. My tests, when adjusted, and all labs that relate to bone loss for me are all normal.
Anyway here is my hit list for you:
1. Continue weights but maybe reduce the weight if it's bench pressing or dead lifting. But don't stop putting weight on your spine entirely if at all possible.
2. Use free weights or machines for arms and legs.
3. Yoga. It elongates and strengthens muscles, increases flexibility and it's good for your head.
4. Swim laps.
5. Walk. Walk at a fast pace for cardio. Up and down hill if you can get it. Or simply go hiking if you enjoy it. Use a trampoline if you have it.
6. DANCE.
Do NOT run on paved surfaces.
Do NOT exercise in any fashion without stretching before and after.
Your transformed diet sounds great! Keep the protein up and eat the rainbow!