Anyone else a Vegetarian?

[K Graham]

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.

[Some Schmo]

If anyone knows of a miracle treatment for joint pain, feel free to share.

Death. It's not a miracle, but after 50, I think it's the only cure for joint pain. My joints are on a rotation for which one gets to complain the loudest each day.

[Some Schmo]

I should add, however, that the best thing I can possibly do to reduce joint pain is to take a vigorous walk. It's the miracle cure for back and hip pain, for me anyway.

As a result, I walk compulsively.

[Atlanticmike]

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.

Stop eating nightshades and you’ll see an improvement. Stop lifting weights, stop running and walking for cardio and take up swimming and only swimming for your exercise routine. Sleep on your back with your legs slightly elevated. Learn how to enjoy a weekly ice bath. If you only choose one, stop lifting weights and swim swim swim and swim.

[Atlanticmike]

And swim some more!!

[K Graham]

I swim regularly. In fact im currently in the process of getting scuba certified.

[Jersey Girl]

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!

[Jersey Girl]

I forgot biking! Ride a bicycle! It's low impact and will keep your knee joints moving if knees are the problem.

[Atlanticmike]

I swim regularly. In fact im currently in the process of getting scuba certified.

Do you know the difference between brown and white fat and how the human body store the two? White fat is what you see if someone is obese/overweight. Brown fat is stored throughout the body and if you can increase your brown fat it helps burn your white fat. Cold exposure helps increase your brown fat which generates heat in your body. Ice baths are amazing at increasing brown fat which also helps lubricate your joints. I use a horse trough filled with water and six bags of sonic ice. Sometimes if you buy more then five bags theyll sale you the bags for $2.50 a piece. You should try it out and see if it helps. Make sure you don’t get out until you absolutely can’t take it anymore. Embrace the pain!!

I wish they would teach our kids about nutrition in school.

[Binger]

I swim regularly. In fact im currently in the process of getting scuba certified.

Do you know the difference between brown and white fat and how the human body store the two? White fat is what you see if someone is obese/overweight. Brown fat is stored throughout the body and if you can increase your brown fat it helps burn your white fat. Cold exposure helps increase your brown fat which generates heat in your body. Ice baths are amazing at increasing brown fat which also helps lubricate your joints. I use a horse trough filled with water and six bags of sonic ice. Sometimes if you buy more then five bags theyll sale you the bags for $2.50 a piece. You should try it out and see if it helps. Make sure you don’t get out until you absolutely can’t take it anymore. Embrace the pain!!

I wish they would teach our kids about nutrition in school.

Best shape I was ever in was when I was swimming in cold water regularly. I swam from Alcatraz to SF five times. So you know that is doable, and always was.