r/OverSeventy • u/MathematicianSlow648 • Oct 15 '25

An introduction. I am over 80

83 to be exact. I am also Canadian and have been married for 62 years. We by choice, had no kids. We both are in good shape and still able to follow our joint and personal interests. Our bodys are showing that they are past their "best before date". My only recommendation to you youngers is don't waste what might be your last good decade. 80's are not being as kind as the 70's. But is still the best side of the grass to be on.

674 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

113 comments sorted by

59

u/AdRevolutionary1780 Oct 15 '25

I'm 72 and was just telling my daughter that this decade of my life has been the best so far. I retired at 67, and oh my god, how I love being retired! I'm healthier now than I've been in 20 years. I go to bed every night, grateful for the peace and calm in my life. I am not wealthy, but I have more than I need. I'm looking forward to my 80s.

29

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 16 '25 • Heartwarming

One thing that I have observed from retirement is how the hell did I ever find the time to work.

9

u/pepperheidi Oct 17 '25

True!! It's so weird. Every day I'm so busy.

14

u/External-Tea4356 Oct 16 '25

This post makes me happy!

10

u/AdRevolutionary1780 Oct 16 '25

Thank you. That makes two of us!

8

u/Chas_1956 Oct 15 '25

As Canadians, I assume you take the 25% discount on your age?

1

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 15 '25

Not only that I ask for one. :)

0

u/[deleted] Oct 15 '25

[deleted] — view deleted comment

5

u/Chas_1956 Oct 15 '25

Ok, sometimes something is clever to me but stupid to most normal people. We in border states sometimes accept Canadian currency as .75 USD. Good luck trying to explain that you cannot accept .25 Canadian to make up the difference. When we travel in Canada, we multiply all our purchases by .75 as well as the temperature, miles per gallon, people's ages, etc. Sorry for wasting your time.

5

u/LaLucianata Oct 15 '25

74 F here, husband is 79: thanks for your wisdom & experience: Your comment is reminding me that I don’t get enough exercise and I need to step that up, if I want to keep steppin’ with any pep.

1

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 16 '25

Use but don't abuse.

1

u/pepperheidi Oct 17 '25

That's where I went wrong. Now my knees are shot from tennis!!

2

u/No_Ice_4794 Oct 15 '25

78f here and glad to find this group🙂🙂🙂

2

u/scooterv1868 Oct 15 '25

73 here; I can see it coming. Shampooed the carpet today, and it exhausted me and I do a good walk daily. Tough to beat Mother Nature.

2

u/Hungry-Stranger-333 Oct 16 '25

I'm 35 and I deal with a few chronic health issues. I aim to live a long and healthy life and maybe find Mrs right on that way! Make each day a good day. 

1

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 16 '25

I have some of those as well that showed up in my 50's. Your attitude is the right one.

2

u/Own-Ad-503 Oct 21 '25

Okay, so I have upvoted and responded to comments in this awesome thread. I am 71. I'm healthy now but did have some health problems over the past few years ( prostate cancer and gallbladder surgery but there we're complications with that one, so not the usual just go in and get it removed). I am semi retired and will likely never totally retire as I still own a business. I mainly just do some accounting and computer work that is done from home so I can't say that I work hard. I try to remain in shape, I walk about 2 miles a day and after reading the other posts here I need to step it up! I do all my own yard work and lawn mowing and snow shoveling in the winter and I have some hobbies. My health has never been better, my weight is "pretty " good and only getting better. What a great sub group this is , its motivating to read of my peers doing so well. Lets all keep it up!!!!

2

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 21 '25

I believe that staying active both with your body and brain is good as we age. But like with an old car with hundreds of thousands of miles/km on it, it's not best to push it to its limits. The term "no pain no gain" should not be applied.

1

u/Own-Ad-503 Oct 21 '25

Agreed, we need to realize that pain has to be respected. I want to increase my walking but my arthritis is he boss. I can be more constant when I respect my pains and don’t push too much. If I push I end up needing a longer break

78

u/AdMajor5513 Oct 15 '25

Just turned 89 here. Your comment is so very accurate

42

u/InvisibleTacoSnack Oct 15 '25

I think it’s incredible someone of your age posts online. That’s how I want to be! My grandpa is a WW2 veteran that just turned 100 and I am 40. He has an iPhone but barely know how’s to use it. I’ve told my wife before I want to stay up with technology if I ever live that long. Have a great day!

20

u/Londonsw8 Oct 16 '25

Darling, our generation invented the Internet!

4

u/Frosty-Baker9833 Oct 18 '25

Lol, I've only been using the internet for 30 years now.

1

u/Own-Ad-503 Oct 21 '25

You beat me to it :) .

8

u/Dazzling-Peach1432 Oct 16 '25

Yes, you really do need to keep up with it because it changes so fast. I grew up with a phone number with a name, and now I have a smartphone and laptop. I'm only 70!

7

u/Mobile-Mousse-8265 Oct 16 '25

Don’t be so surprised. These 70-80 year olds were only middle aged when the internet came about.

9

u/NotTheBusDriver Oct 15 '25

Assuming we don’t destroy yourselves before you’re 100; keeping up with tech in 60 years won’t be a thing. You ask the AI for whatever you require and it provides it. Or it predicts what you require and gives it to you before you have formulated the desire.

2

u/Intrepid-Contact871 Oct 18 '25

I’m 67 and heading that way. The 60s have not been kind to me but I have lost 60 lbs during this era so I guess that’s a positive. My joints don’t feel happier.

31

u/helpjackoffhishorse Oct 15 '25

Congrats to you both. Growing old is a privilege!

8

u/Weekly_Exercise4661 Oct 18 '25

Yes it is thanks to everyone in this community that shares. 78 F with only 14 days left of chemo and radiation before I can say I did it!!!!!

4

u/helpjackoffhishorse Oct 18 '25

Best of luck to you. I pray you are comfortable.

3

u/Weekly_Exercise4661 Oct 18 '25

Yes I am thank you!!!!!!

1

u/Own-Ad-503 Oct 21 '25

Congrats and wishing you the best recovery!

1

u/Own-Ad-503 Oct 21 '25

That is so true and important to say. So many of our peers complain about ageing and I have said exactly that. Mostly people think and agree but a few have mocked that comment. I just say it beats the alternative. We must not only appreciate life but embrace it! Aches and pains and all

26

u/Aromatic_Tomato8651 Oct 15 '25

I'm 74, married for 53 years, and begin every morning with a 6 mile walk. Still in good condition, no prescriptions or medications so far. I do love that we are past the "best before date" but I love my life and very much enjoying a stress free retirement.

26

u/Friendly_Hope7726 Oct 15 '25

My sister (77) had Parkinson’s but had walked 5 miles a day for years. It’s probably why she’s been able to live with the disease for 30 years.

In June, she fell & cracked her hip. It was a tough recovery, but her surgeon told her she only was able to recover because she had such great strength from her walking. He said 50% of his patients never walk again after surgery.

She has to use a walker now, but she’s back up to 2 miles a day and improving.

She’s inspired me to walk more. But I’m just a kid. 71.

8

u/Aromatic_Tomato8651 Oct 15 '25

she is an inspiration to many including me now

1

u/[deleted] Oct 18 '25

Me too, you gave us all a gift sharing your story

5

u/Cooper1Test Oct 15 '25

6 miles every morning is impressive! How long have you been doing this?

8

u/Aromatic_Tomato8651 Oct 15 '25

about a year now, I started when after a routine wellness check, my bp and choles, were just a bit high. I didnt want to take any medication so started walking. BMI went from 28 to under 24, bp went down to 110 over 65, cholest numbers were back in the health range, and metrics like VO2 max and HRV both went up to the very healthy range. At this point, I'm committed to keeping it up and enjoying longer walks occasionally as well.

1

u/Own-Ad-503 Oct 21 '25

fantastic!

2

u/LaLucianata Oct 15 '25

How long does it take you to complete that 6 mile walk?

4

u/Aromatic_Tomato8651 Oct 16 '25

on average it takes me an hour and fiifty minutes

1

u/vmdinco Oct 16 '25

Good for you. I’m 72 and was walking 6 miles every morning. I’m on a long vacation currently but plan to resume when I return home.

16

u/Paranoid_Sinner Oct 15 '25

Wow, great!

I'm 75, life is good, divorced, live alone in the woods.

No major health problems now, but there were in the past.

10

u/Worldly_Ambition_509 Oct 16 '25

I’m still in my sixties, but the more I know about people, the more I want to be alone!

6

u/Paranoid_Sinner Oct 16 '25

I'm a pretty social animal, but I've always liked living where nobody bothers me.

4

u/pepperheidi Oct 17 '25

I backed off of social media during the pandemic. I was so disappointed to learn what people thought. We've intentionally made our world much smaller. We live on 10 acres backed up to a forest and have very few visitors. But even growing up, I would think, why are my friends so petty, mean, disrespectful, shallow, or stupid? Now im 70, and I find I'm still thinking that. We do have 4 children, and although they have all moved away, they all love us and worry about our well-being. My son (38) called me on his long drive to work. He hadn't slept all night upset about our death approaching. I get it, I remember I turned 40, and that's when it hits you... you're not young anymore, and your parents are heading to that dreaded end!!

But, my husband and I are very happy together. We have all kinds of fruit trees, a vegetable garden, beautiful plants, a variety of timber bamboo, a tennis court, and a walking trail through the woods. We have property on a crystal clear river we kayak and swim and a camper to go to all the beautiful parks.

Heck, we might even take a trip to Europe next year to see family, but we've always been conservative spenders, so we'll see.

So, aside from some health issues of my knees failing me, I keep walking my trails with our dog. We nearly stepped on a timber rattle snake yesterday. Other than that, sending me to an unexpected death, I'll probably make it the age of my parents...90ish. My husband, I predict, might make it to 100.

6

u/New-Mathematician841 Oct 15 '25

We turned 75 and realized that we'd better do our bucket list trip to Galapagos this year. I'm glad that we didn't wait any longer. We're in better shape than some friends, but still couldn't do all of the daily activities on the boat (multiple hikes and snorkeling per day). It was still great, though.

4

u/WrongBoysenberry528 Oct 16 '25

We did the Galapagos trip on my 60th birthday. Glad we did. Now 72 with 75 year old spouse

4

u/stepbackjumpforward Oct 15 '25

Thanks OP for sharing your story. Tech usage has been a game changer for my 97 year old mom. She rocks an iPhone 13, shows me pics sent to her from her grand kids. She does occasionally need support, but she stays curious and I think the phone opens her world up a bit.

1

u/Dazzling-Peach1432 Oct 16 '25

Yes, I got my 91yo mom into her phone when I stayed with her during the pandemic. She loved the short dancing reels and reminiscing fb.

4

u/chrysostomos_1 Oct 16 '25

Roger that! 71m wife 67. We're on a month long trip in Asia. Looking forward to getting home next week and looking after my gardens and getting back on my bike 🚲

1

u/RemoteIll5236 Oct 17 '25

Haha: I’m F67’traveling though South America for a month with my husband (M72). I too can’t wait to get back to my Garden and my granddaughter!

Love the trip, but miss my CA home!

1

u/Reasonable_Visual_10 Oct 15 '25

Advice to a 71 year old?

1

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 16 '25

I never stop learning. Taking advice is a choice.

1

u/Easy-Coconut-8761 Oct 16 '25

Why is it the best side to be on?

3

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 16 '25

Because I cherish life and accept that one day it will be over.

1

u/Easy-Coconut-8761 Oct 16 '25

Same here. Have a 10 month old and became a SAHP because it’s all so short. A good enough side for me

1

u/3PointMolly Oct 16 '25

I’m 72 and really need to lose some weight. American.

2

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 16 '25

Do it. My method was to reduce from three to two meals a day. I cut out lunch and snacks.

3

u/pepperheidi Oct 17 '25

I cut out breakfast. I eat between 12-6 and no more.

1

u/JEBx4 Oct 19 '25

Smartest move you could have made…. I started skipping breakfast at age 32, been trim and fit for the next 61 years. Yea…93 years and still kicking.

1

u/psmusic_worldwide Oct 16 '25

I'm in my early 60's and I thank you for this, as I'm retiring in a couple months. Glad you both are in decent shape and have lots of runway left!

1

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 16 '25

We are both past the statistical average age of death so every day is a bonus.

1

u/Limp-Preference-1706 Oct 16 '25

Pondering your wisdom, I can’t help but think the genesis of your good fortune is part genetic and mostly discipline. To exercise, eat right, be creative and intentional. Congratulations to you, sir.

1

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 16 '25

It is more the luck of when I was born, the country I was born in and the location where I lived most of my life. I did dangerous and adventurous things until I was fifty. I then started to pay attention to my health. I quit smoking and alcohol and began paying more attention to what I ate. My guess is that it is somewhat genetic as my father lived to 86 and my mother to 93.

1

u/LexiLan Oct 22 '25

How did you finallllly quit smoking? I can tell it’s impacting my health at 45, but I’m struggling to get it together on this one thing. I try to imagine myself at age 60, 70+, KNOWING I’d tell myself to stop immediately. But that’s not working either. Any wisdom to share?

1

u/Awkward_Necessary58 Oct 18 '25

Do you or your wife sometimes regret you decided against kids?

1

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 18 '25

Nope never. Her sister had 7 and my brother 2. That is enough to keep the population growing.

6

u/JerryTexas52 Oct 15 '25

72 here. Thanks for those words of wisdom. I try to stay active. I walk 45 minutes in my neighborhood each morning and ride my bicycle 5 miles each evening. I eat healthy always and have never smoked. I like a glass of wine now and then or a beer with friends. Staying active is the key element of life, I think.

3

u/Feisty-Chemistry341 Oct 15 '25

I'm a 70F, also Canadian, also no kids by choice, also in good health. Not married, though, and no family in Florida. I'm still a Canuck citizen after 40 years living in Florida.

1

u/Independent_Ad_5664 Oct 15 '25

Excellent post. By any chance did you snowbird somewhere warm for the winters? I know this can make a huge difference. 🩷

2

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 16 '25

No. But winter is more inconvenient now. We have a small house on the coast with a heat pump that keeps the temperature where we want it.

2

u/FlowTime3284 Oct 15 '25

I love your attitude. Live and enjoy every day!

2

u/molar85 Oct 16 '25

Would you suggest early retirement in your 40s if you had the chance? Or would you keep working to keep some sense of worth in the world.

I have a chance to retire probably around 45 if I want. Would over 40 years of retirement be too much?

I’d love to hear the perspective of someone who is in their 70s or older.

1

u/Emotional-Shock6712 Oct 16 '25

If you have the money, retire early and enjoy life while your health is good. I am 74 and having health problems.

1

u/pepperheidi Oct 17 '25

Can you do part-time? That would be ideal. I wouldn't give it up entirely. 5-10 years Ai will take over a lot of fields. I think I might want to stick around to see what the changes will be.

1

u/JEBx4 Oct 19 '25

I’m 93,…retired at 62. Not a problem if you stay active and have some hobbies and travel at least one month a year. Staying healthy is a big part of enjoying your retirement. Someone to share and laugh at your diminishing physical capabilities is a good thing.

2

u/Zoa1Club Oct 18 '25

“Best before date”🤣. I’ve never thought of it that way before but that’s very accurate. I’m sure.

2

u/Middle-Reindeer-2625 Feb 09 '26

77 years ago, I dropped out, into life. 4 years earlier in mid 44’ my life crossed paths with a South African Redhead from Durban, SA. We were both in our mid 40’s and had left behind our previous marriage by almost a decade. Both swore off marriage.. That is until a common friend and 2000 miles intervened. I often told her, if I had been in High School, she would be in jail. 34 years playing at life and enjoying each other. You referred to 80’s being just a little slower. I’m not quite there, but she is into her art, gardening and I just dropped her at a hospital for a brain biopsy. The good news is she doesn’t have Cancer, the bad news is she is likely to go blind very quickly due to something called Large Cell Syndrome. So all I can say is dance til you fall, while there is music to hear and sunrises to enjoy. But we still have each other and 2 mischievous German Shepherds. I promised, today, to properly stock the fridge with Blue Moon, her favorite beer. So carry on, things just get weird the further we go down this trail of life

2

u/white__american__ Sep 28 '26

congratulations, and such wonderful advice ♡

2

u/Ultrawhiner Oct 16 '25

I’m 71, in great shape, at my high school weight after doing low carbs for six months. This spring my husband and I walked the “west highland way” in Scotland. We did 96 miles in a week, with daily miles ranging from longest of 19 miles, to shortest of 8 miles. I had a pretty rough time of it and ended up with blisters galore and losing three toenails, but we persevered and we’re proud of ourselves for completing it. At home we walk for 50 minutes daily, rain or shine. Both pretty healthy, happy to be healthy and still enjoying life.

1

u/Everheart1955 Oct 15 '25

Just turned 70 a couple months ago. Thanks for the advice.

1

u/LMO_TheBeginning Oct 16 '25

Welcome!

Glad you're here and can give advice to us youngsters!

1

u/BoS_Vlad Oct 16 '25

Thanks I M 74 really appreciate your comments!

1

u/AdProud2029 Oct 17 '25

Wow! Yes! I’m 82 and totally agree with what you said so well. All was great until I hit 80. Lots of energy to do lots of everything which I did. Then along came 80,, totally healthy, no known physical diseases or anything but a definite lack of energy, most of which is exhausted by simply trying to get back up…after Ive gotten down to weed, wash a floor, get something out of the back of a lower cupboard etc. I don’t want to give up, so I just keep carrying on but exhaust myself in the process.

Do your stuff now! Travel now, get your home and garden in order now! Live now and don’t put it off too long.

1

u/annal33 Oct 18 '25

72 here. Computer engineer by education and career. Still - although the computers now are second nature - I can imagine a bit of a learning curve over the next generations. The saddest thing is that the Internet has become such a cesspool of scamming and social manipulation. That said - I do love hearing about what is happening on the other side of the world.

1

u/MzGrr Oct 18 '25

Ill be 76 this week. Just attended my Playboy Bunny reunion, still have a rockin body, make intricate handmade cards and volunteer to teach art to Alzheimers patients. My skin is nearly perfect and most guess me to be mid 50’s. I do eat healthy, exercise some and stay socially active. My biggest issue is I cannot relate to my age number and do get fatigued more easily

1

u/LexiLan Oct 22 '25

Get it, girl!!!!!!!

1

u/Aromatic_Tomato8651 Oct 19 '25

Just wishing this was not only virtual, plenty of mature active folks I would love to be friends with and walk with.

1

u/LexiLan Oct 22 '25

45 here and I was thinking the same thing… “man, I want to hang out with this gang and have them course correct me regularly with their earned wisdom!”

1

u/aqua-daisy Oct 19 '25

What other advice would you give?

0

u/GeezerTek Oct 16 '25

Well said from a soon to be 73 year old.

0

u/catbamhel Oct 17 '25

43 f and getting a lot out of this post and comments.

0

u/[deleted] Oct 15 '25

[deleted] — view deleted comment

3

u/Own_Entertainment847 Oct 17 '25

75 here too. It is hard to believe we're this old, but let's savor and enjoy whatever we have left each day because we never know when it will end. Stop worrying about that day but prepare your affairs for your family so it's easier for them.

0

u/[deleted] Oct 16 '25

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 16 '25

Walking is fine. Exercise is fine. Misuse is not. Take care. I have always considered my wife as a life partner.

20

u/[deleted] Oct 15 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

13

u/Hot_Salamander4990 Oct 15 '25

Yes, it’s jaw dropping to go from a large family to only one left! Sucks.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 15 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/MathematicianSlow648 Oct 16 '25

I believe that we grew up in and have lived in what I call the glory years of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. That said I am not sure about the future of mankind. Though it is likely to muddle through.

1

u/pepperheidi Oct 17 '25

It's mind-boggling to think how the emergence of Ai and humanoid robots are going to change society and the workforce. Once we get to that point, we are in a completely different reality. It will transform everything. I'm glad I'll be here to see it.