I’m a 59-year-old guy who’s been a distance runner most of my life, including several 100-mile ultramarathons. Last year I added strength training and swimming for cross-training, and I’ve always kept yoga in the mix.

The surprising part is that I’m making some of the biggest gains of my life. I’m tackling tougher races, recovering faster, and genuinely enjoying training more than ever.

The challenge is time. I’m training about 11–15 hours a week, and if I’m honest, I’d probably do a little more if I could. I’m fortunate to have had a successful career and I’m about 3–4 years from retirement, but I’ve noticed my motivation for work has really declined. I still do my job well and remain professional, but mentally I’m much more invested in training, planning races, and the lifestyle that comes with it. I’m also away fairly often for races.

Has anyone else gone through this in the last few years before retirement? How did you stay engaged at work while your passions were pulling you somewhere else? Did you make any changes that helped, or is this just a normal transition as priorities shift?

Not only do I focus on my body, I also try to stumble through learning new skills.

Hi folks, I am in an over 50 male soccer league and am having a terrible time being in the same rut week after week. I am usually being asked to play 80 to 85 minutes once a week due to lack of subs.

Generally speaking, I can get one or two run/walks in during the week but I can’t touch the treadmill until at least three days after the game because my groin and hips are terribly stiff. I have always had a hard time with working out and running consistently over distance, seeing and feeling very little in the way of change, causing me to not want to take the time. I have always tended to be the same size, 5’6” and between 165 and 175, my whole adult life though so never really looked out of shape but I certainly do not feel close to 100%. I feel like if I could get below 160 that I could fly again like I used to but pretty much every game goes about the same way. First half is pretty decent, I don’t feel fast like I used to, but I’m not dying. If I do expend a ton of energy I can’t recover, so I am playing way more tentatively than I used to. The second half usually goes to crap in 10-15 minutes, legs don’t respond, there’s way more walk/jogging than running. I am usually useless to my whole family for the rest of the day and the whole cycle just repeats itself.

I am currently on break between my spring and fall seasons and very much wish to break this cycle. Any help or plans would be appreciated. I have a treadmill and some dumbbells with a basic bench but that’s about it.

Thanks

so my supplement has gotten out of hand. i'm taking separate things for gut health, energy, and joints and i keep forgetting half of them because it's too much to manage before coffee.

i've been looking at morning wellness drinks that combine a greens blend with probiotics, collagen, and an adaptogen like ashwagandha into one daily scoop. i'm in my mid 50s so joint support and steady energy matter more to me now and i want something that helps me feel consistent throughout the day without a stimulant crash.

has anyone around this age found a morning wellness drink they've actually stuck with long term and felt made a real difference?

Best $99 I’ve ever spent is on the BODi app
There are endless workouts
The new p90X Generations will completely transform you

I don't feel great asking, but I suspect I'm not the only one with a weird relationship with their own self image. I think my ass is too flat.

Got back in the gym in February after a couple years of mild depression. I just do elliptical/rowing and bodyweight/core exercises. Down about 25 lbs. Combined with PT and stretching, my arthritic pains have all gone away (now I just have sore muscle pain instead).

During the heatwave I've taken to walking the dog topless but haven't worked up the courage to rock the booty shorts.

EDIT: Thank you all for the responses. I believe in the wisdom of reddit. I shall go with larger shorts..

55, been at it for over a year. 20 lbs down and I like the definition I'm starting to see. Now to get the belly fat off. That seems to be the hardest part. I've started to get more protein in and have decided to drop alcohol either all together or limit it to like a bee or two on weekends. I weight train 3 times a week, which includes at least 30 minutes of incline walking on the treadmill. I usually spend an hour and half total in the gym on workout days.

This one isn't progress or inquiry as much as it is about "different things work for different people." Don't preach your philosophy to everyone like it's the only way. Sometimes the abnormal works too. And it might not be that abnormal after all. :)

I know saunas have health benefits when it comes to joint pain and circulation. But im wondering if there are any concerns for seniors due to the heat? None of the research I’ve seen mentions any risks for those over 50 in good health. I stay fairly active, and use the sauna at the gym a couple times a week. I’ve heard infrared saunas don’t get as hot, so they might be better than the sauna at my gym. Does anyone know if infrared saunas are a better option for us over 50s?

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I'm proud of my progress. Was 320+ 2 years ago. Now 250.

It's been about 20 months of serious health consciousness. So thought I'd post an update. My fitness app said I am at just about 500 workouts. Switching from a cardio-based exercise strategy to a focus on resistance training in a way that keeps the heart rate rolling has been the difference. Late in my 60s, and managing a genetic hypermobility disorder, it was time to get this figured out.

I've learned a ton about myself since I left a stressful job, woke up the first day of retirement, and looked in the mirror. Wow. How do I fix this? Any work to recover from four decades of crazy energy in the political arena could only happen by focusing first on my physical health.

My protein intake was about 60 percent of what it needed to be for a person my age. Turns out my daily water intake was also barely over half of the recommendation for my age and weight.

Also learned that creatine is a safe and vital to help manage aging. Get vitamins and minerals from diet and not pills or supplements.

Walking is as important as the running I used to do, but without the joint and back complications it created. An hour working out 3-5 days a week has turned out to be just perfect for this Team Geezer member. No need to overdo it.

Mix up the workouts to keep the doldrums away.

Foot health is the foundation for all physical health.

Don't freak out if a "workout day" is missed... a good walk, rest day, reading and writing, spending time in a kayak or even a bike ride to a brewery are as good for the soul as they are for the body. And that makes the next workout day a little easier.

Still trying to stay socially relevant through consulting, writing, reading, leaning in on family, puttering around the house and a little side hustle. Thanks especially to Cindy for her help and encouragement.

The lesson? Two years ago, after a 45 minute chat about life during my annual checkup - even before the actual stethoscope and BP cuff was was pulled out - my doc said she could put together a meds-based plan to help with cholesterol, weight, pain management, blood pressure and other old white man maladies. Then she said the following... honest to god (she's kind of awesome)... "But just so you know, if you don't quit that f#cking job, it really isn't going to make much difference."

The way a caring doctor can notice and coach when they not only look at vitals and bloodwork, but also understand why the numbers look like they do, is profound.