Use it or lose it. I’m over 40 and yesterday suited up for a house fire. I’m still weightlifting a few times a week, along with running, gardening, and nightly walks. I generally don’t get pain really anywhere unless it’s from overtraining.
Obviously you can overdo it, I’ve injured my back a few times trying to hit a risky lift or pushing too much. As I’m getting older I’m seeing the value in moderation. Still lifting, just not trying to push myself too hard.
I was lucky, when I was really young I hurt my back pretty bad, and had to start lifting to heal it. Just realized early that lifting reduced my back pain, so I built to the habit. Any time I get lazy and stop within a few months I’ll get back pain again. So I keep it up.
This more or less. It’s obviously going to differ some from person to person too… But use it or lose it is true. I hurt my back in my 20s and have had to exercise to keep it pain free and keep my core strength up, now I am in my 40s and I only get back pain if I have been sedentary for too many days in a row.
My wife is only 3 weeks older and does this. “Well in 3 weeks you’ll understand”
Muscles are on a use-it-or-lose-it basis unfortunately
Most folks think I’m crazy for cutting and splitting wood. Makes me feel great and I get heat out of the deal. Crossfit is for silly people and 40s ain’t that bad.
Good pillows and yoga help
Not a cure all, but a bit of stretching does wonders for every day aches.
Qigong stretching and yoga help me immensely. If you strengthen your back, your older years will be much more enjoyable. I’m 45 and don’t have any back pain unless I sleep in some shitty hotel bed.
It wasn’t until I was in my 20s and doing my own studying into weightlifting and fitness that I found out that training your back was even a thing. Everyone always says, “Lift with your legs, not with your back.” Hardly anyone said to exercise to make it easier.
And it’s funny because you’re still using your back to some degree. It’s a muscle like anything else and can be overworked or worked improperly through bad form or whatever else. It took me quite a while to realize that it deserved as much focus as other muscle areas do.
I work a desk job and had my back seize up on me years ago. It was to the point that I had to have someone help me get out of bed. That was the wake-up call. Got a standing desk eventually; started running and biking; paid more attention to my posture.
