I was feeling it in my late 30s. Had a wake up call a 40. It was a significant but not immediately life threatening condition that did a number on my body. Thought I might be done. But I wasn't, it was just the start. Recovery took some time, but I'm 50 now. I'm probably in the best shape I've been in since I was in my early 20s
It started with eating better. I don't deprive myself, but the days of having pizza and Chunky Soup for dinner almost every night are over. When I eat fast food and the like, it's a decision not the default.
Next was stretching. All the nagging aches and pains that were bugging me in my late 30s were simply addressed or kept in check by stretching regularly, not just for games. No more back spasms. No more carpal. No more shoulder and neck pain. No more sciatic pain. Etc. At it's worst, I could barely bend over far enough to wipe my own ass. Now, if I get nice and warmed up, I can almost touch my head to my knee.
Next thing was cardio. I run at least 2-3 times a week for 30-40 mintues. During covid, I was running 5 or 6. I time it with other stuff hockey and baseball so I'm exercising at least every other day. Lost about 25 lbs. Now when I play hockey, I can play 3 games in one day, and wake up the next day fine. In the dressing rooms, I hear guys 10-15 years younger than me groaning and complaining about this and that, and all I can think is you can do something about it. Obviously, at my age, I'm not as explosive as I was when I was younger, but I can still go hard. I can't even remember the last time I pulled something from hockey.
And lastly, I now know when to take a rest. My default is 1005% all the time. But now, yes, I exercise and try to eat well, but sometimes, life piles on and catches up. So I've learned to listen to my body, and when I need it, I take a break or ease up to give my body time to recover. IMHO, knowing when to do that has kept the injury bug away. But it's a fine line, sometimes, I'm not really tired. I'm just feeling lazy. And trying to be honest with myself about it has been key. Nothing wrong with taking a lazy day, but I understand there will be health consequences if I don't get back on the horse.
I remember reading somewhere that there's a correlation between leg strength and mortality. It's not that strong legs will make you live longer. It's that strong legs means you can remain active, which is good for your heart. Strong legs also means you're less likely to to take a fall. I know it's it's kind of a joke, but for people getting older, falling and cracking a hip, can be a death sentence. Once you're immobile you health can decline rapidly. For me, reminding myself of this, keeps me on the ice and working hard, because skating is the most fun way for me to make sure I have strong legs.
Any ways, that's my story.
