55 and feel like I aged years more physically

Are you menopausal? If so, how long post menopausal?
There is much to be learned about women's health from the PBS documentary The M Factor Shredding the silence on menopause. There may be some help there. Have you had a dexa to determine bone density
What does your doctor say?

Bone density is good. I have an ablation so I don't get my period so not sure if I'm going through menopause. OBGYN says no but maybe I'm at the start. I will watch the documentary.

Thanks!

@melissa123

Hi,
My comment here is just about your gym and exercise routine. It’s great that you are concerned and motivated to feel better at this young age, it’s imperative that you embark on a stretching routine preferably with a trainer at your gym to get started. We can get comfortable doing our routines but if you don’t feel you are challenging your body then all your routine exercises will not help. And, when we hurt too much we become even more sedentary than we already are.

Your limbs need to be stretched every single day and certain exercises like stretching those hamstrings should be done several times a day. You can eliminate a lot of muscle pain and backaches in a very little span of time. These exercises also help with balance which you will need as you age. Fifty five is too young to feel so many aches and pains when you are in relatively good health.

Ask for a trainer at the gym who specializes in stretching and tell the trainer exactly what you do. You don’t necessarily need to use a machine to start. When you do embark and then stay on this course you will notice a world of difference in your body. Yoga could be in your future but you need to learn how to exercise properly. Follow your good food instincts and make those changes.

About me …briefly..I am 83… have 3 active senior classes a week where we concentrate on weight bearing, stretching , cardio and balance. My health is excellent, no drugs ( even for my osteoporosis), great diet which has evolved over the years. I have no aches or pains but, if I don’t make stretching part of my daily activities I feel my age the next day,

So get going and learn how to do these exercise routines the right way so you can keep up with your grandchildren. Your body will love you for it inside and out. I have a feeling you will jump on my bandwagon with me because you already have the desire to feel better.

FL Mary

I can relate, although over the last year, with a few exceptions, I have felt really good! My body feels strong and fit. I have some issues that I post about on this site, mainly involving post covid syndrome, B-12 deficiency and diabetes (type 1) related, but it hasn’t impacted my general sense of feeling good, having energy and actually looking better than I have in years, according to what others tell me. Just being nice, I suppose. Lol

I might explore it with your doctor to see if tests for inflammation (autoimmune) could reveal any condition to explain your symptoms. If not, you might explore a consult with a physiotherapist. I saw a great one when I had pain. She watched me walk and looked at my ROM…she gave me exercises that helped and did some treatments like dry needling and myofascial release. It really helped me with relaxing sore spots, tight muscles, proper posture, proper footwear, etc. It’s been a year since my last treatment and I am doing really well, even though I pamper my right knee torn meniscus.

Is your a1c ok? I regret not exploring HRT earlier. I’m researching it now. While controversial some female urologist are proponents.

I also got a lot from consulting with the nutritionist at my endo’s office. A tight food plan focused on nutrition helped me. I had already lost a lot of weight on my own, but she helped with the details and breaking plateaus.

Talk therapy helps me with my anxiety. It can cause tense muscles.

Reading inspirational stories from those on this site has been such a blessing! I realize how fortunate I am.

@melissa123 it seems to me that you are “aging” beautifully! You are blessed to have four grandkids to keep you young! I didn’t have one till I was in my seventies and wish I could do more with just the one and only grandchild, who will be four years old next month.