Danestress Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I'm just wondering, do you feel a bit difference in energy in your mid-40s from your early 30s, and why do you think that is? I am just as physically active as I was in my early 30s. I am not more than 5 pounds heavier, and I haven't had major life-style changes, but I find my energy level is SO much lower. Today I took care of a friends 2 and 4 year old boys. They were very cute and fun and very well-behaved and just a total delight. But it was exhausting. Maybe I am just not used to it, but it gave me a new respect for those of you who are still in the years when you are raising little ones - especially if you are doing it in your 40s! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Most definitely. I had twins at 40, and that was about the end of me. I keep busy all day, but little kids run me ragged anymore. I can't believe I used to keep up with them. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Yep. With Luke and Peyton, all my jeans would get holes in the knees because I was always down on the floor crawling around and playing with them. At 42 with a toddler, my jeans are intact. My hips and shoulders have not been the same since the last pregnancy. It definitely took its toll on my physically. Of course, there are benefits to being an older mom, too. I think I am much more relaxed than I was 10 years ago, things don't stress me out like they did back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I just don't care to do the things I did when my boys were younger. I do different things with my dd now, it has nothing to do with age and tiredness it has more to do with I don't care to go to the park or play in a sandbox, play dinosaur, rollerblade or whatever btdt...kwim. I do different things with my 3 year old we jump on the trampoline, blow bubbles, play soccer, draw chalk in the drive way, take long walks, she does pilates and tae bo with me, we collect lady bugs. We are working on her riding her bike so we can ride around the neighborhood together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I'm "only" about to turn 32, but I did want to point out that I am much more exhausted now than I was when parenting a toddler in my early 20's! The drastic difference does make nervous about maybe having another one in a few more years. Not nervous enough to count it out, but I'm well aware that it couldn't possibly be *easier! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom4him Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I'm just wondering, do you feel a bit difference in energy in your mid-40s from your early 30s, and why do you think that is? I am just as physically active as I was in my early 30s. I am not more than 5 pounds heavier, and I haven't had major life-style changes, but I find my energy level is SO much lower. Today I took care of a friends 2 and 4 year old boys. They were very cute and fun and very well-behaved and just a total delight. But it was exhausting. Maybe I am just not used to it, but it gave me a new respect for those of you who are still in the years when you are raising little ones - especially if you are doing it in your 40s! Our last two are adopted so some big difference there but I just turned 60. I am more active than I was when I had our older 3 but know I don't have the stamina that I had back then. I do have a much longer day now than then also so it is really hard to compare. When the olders were young, I was always in bed by 10 and rarely was up before 7. Now I am rarely in bed before 10:45 and almost always up by 5-5:30. I do lay down in the afternoon for an hour or so when possible though too. Why the difference you have may simply be attributed to the natural change in matabolism. Are you eating good food or do you do a lot of prepared foods. Do you restrict your sweet tooth? Do you consume lots of coffee or like drinks? These can all attribute to lower energy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Yep, after 45 I've seen a definite difference, LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I am 44 now and my ds is 18. I was just thinking the other day - in preparation for his 18th birthday -how glad I am that I had him when I was young. I really cannot imagine having to muster that level of energy that young children take out of you - at least not for a sustained time. Babysitting may be all right as long as the parents come back - LOL. My SIL just had her third at 41 - she now has a 7yo, 4-5yo and a 3mos old. My hat is off to her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I had DD when I was 39 or 40. I know that I had far less energy then than I did during my 20's. But I was also much more patient and self-controlled, so I think that all in all I was a far better mother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Yes, it is physically more difficult, probably in my case because of having two c-sections, twins, a hernia... I think that age and changing hormones have a great effect, but I also think that my busy schedule that prevents really good workouts also hinders me. I am not too badly overweight, but after the last pregnancy (at age 41) I just didn't bounce back quite like I did after the earlier ones. I think regular strength training exercise would be wonderfully beneficial. And daily vitamins make a BIG difference in my day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share Posted April 18, 2009 Are you eating good food or do you do a lot of prepared foods. Do you restrict your sweet tooth? Do you consume lots of coffee or like drinks? These can all attribute to lower energy. You may be on to something. We eat a lot of healthful food prepared in our home, but I do drink a fair amount of coffee and I also eat sugar and white flour. I've been thinking about changing my diet for other reasons, but I wonder if it would also help with energy. I don't feel low energy in my normal life - it was the presence of really young children than made me feel old! I would love to hear more about your choice to adopt after your first set of children were mostly raised. I bet it's been in interesting journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I'm 42. Am I an older mom? ;) I sure do feel like one most days, LOL. My husband and I met and married later in life, so our girls are now only 4, 2, and 2 (twins). Yes, I'm 42 and running around after two HAPPY and ENERGETIC toddlers and a PRECIOUS, PRECOCIOUS preschooler. How do we do it? Every day they take a nap (3:00 pm -- 4:30 pm), and every evening they are in bed at 7:00 pm. Those girls sleep all night (in one little room) until 7:30 am. I am not making this up. About your fatigue, if I were you, I'd get a physical with bloodwork -- be sure to mention your fatigue to your practioner if you think it's serious enough to follow-up on. Get your thyroid checked for certain. I had fatigue several years back, it got worse and worse, until finally I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease that had basically destroyed my thyroid functioning with nodules/growths. In the end, my thyroid was completely removed. They found cancer, so I underwent that treatment (in between having Daughter #1 and Daughters #2 & 3). It was not a picnic, but I am feeling better now, with decent stamina, considering the workload around here. My thyroidectomy was no problem, but I do have to take synthetic thyroid hormone for the rest of my life, or slowly and painfully die. Choices, choices. ;) It's not a big deal, when you realize that I survived cancer and gave birth to three healthy children, all in less than two years. After climbing up out of that abyss, I'm satisfied with the view from up here. One other thought -- has it gotten warm where you are? Are you drinking enough water throughout the day? Increase your water intake and see if that makes any difference. Also, try to get in "10 hours of extra sleep" as soon as you can -- go to bed 30 minutes earlier each night for a few weeks, and see if that helps you to snap back. I am forever trying to get in those "extra 10 hours!" :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Yes, it is physically more difficult, probably in my case because of having two c-sections, twins, a hernia... I think that age and changing hormones have a great effect, but I also think that my busy schedule that prevents really good workouts also hinders me. Wow, we could be twins, Auntie M! Our lists look just about the same. Mine is: Two C-sections Twins (+ Preschooler) Thyroid cancer (survivor) I agree, the schedule of keeping up with the kids, the house, the cooking, the lawn, the laundry, etc., doesn't leave me with energy AND time to get back into shape. When I have the energy, I don't have the time (work to do, work to do), and when I have the time (girls are in bed), I don't have the energy (on the sofa, reading a book). I need to change that, somehow.... :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I would love to hear more about your choice to adopt after your first set of children were mostly raised. I bet it's been in interesting journey! :iagree: Me too, me too! :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 We just had our bathroom renovated, so my parents invited us to come and stay with them (for 2.5 weeks, it turned out). My mother is quite involved with the girls on a regular basis, but this was our family living in their house, so it was more up close and personal ;). Not to brag, but after the first few days, my parents were just in awe of us and how we care for the girls. My mom kept saying things like, "Those girls are a lot of work! Those girls have so much ENERGY! Those girls (the twins) have strong OPINIONS! No wonder you and David are exhausted at the end of the day! No wonder you go to bed early! No wonder...." and so on. It was funny, and somewhat rewarding, to hear the steady stream of incredulous comments as I dealt with temper tantrums, poopy diapers, sibling spats, lost toys, broken purple crayons (crisis!), meal times, nap times, bath times, etc., etc., in my parents' house for over two weeks... So far this spring, my dad hasn't asked me, "Why don't you put in a vegetable garden?" :lol::lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I just got home from the health food store with a bottle of "energy". Basically an adrenal support - but it is supposed to increase energy. After 45 - oh my!!!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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