Is there something you did in your youth that you could never do now?

Oh, goodness, a hundred things, at least. I’d put running right at the top, if we’re talking physical things. I haven’t been able to run since knee surgery at age 27. There are many other physical losses.

On the intellectual side, I just can’t retain what I read as I used to. I could read a story or article today and not be able to pass a quiz on it tomorrow.

Besides for athletics, no, I rather improved with age. Took up painting in my 40s with moderate success. I read way more as an adult (up from never wanting to read), more responsible in a general way, and have a far stronger relationship with God. That last item is the most important.

All the things.

I used to ski and ice skate until I broke my ankle and tore a bunch of ligaments in it, in my early 30s.

I used to read more books than I do now. I think I get distracted by social media and I just have a shorter attention span than I used to.

I can still do most of what I did in my youth, just not as quickly.

Climb trees at all or get up from the floor without a groan!

Boxing. Used to be a good boxer in the day, is probably get my ass knocked cold now days.

Volleyball.

I hate to admit but my reading skills are getting worse.

In my youth, I could do 6 cartwheels culminating in a perfect split. Now, if my head isn’t the highest point of my body, I’m going down!!! I think the word “split” & my brain says “give me a minute, I know it’s in here somewhere”. Then at 3:00 am, I hear “found it…nope, NOT going there”. ;-}

Long distance running and racing constantly through 3½ decades. That damaged my heart.

Running is generally a good thing but you know what they say about too much of a good thing.
There were no warnings back in the day but now there are many studies that show the link between long distance running over a long period of time and atrial fibrillation (AF) and other arrhythmias in men.

I should have backed off the long distance running after 1 or 2 decades. I have so many wonderful memories of marathon racing but it wasn’t worth hell of dealing with AF. When your heart is in AF you can feel the devil bite your ass.

Inhaling air into my stomach to enhance my burps.
Properly cracking my neck.

Yes. I lived off of bland white food. Mac n cheese, fried chicken and white bread.

I could never do that now.

Sounds good to me @Jonsblond!

Sure, about 500 things.

When I was very small I would sit under a kitchen chair, wrap my leg around my neck, and chew my big toe.

I don’t know why. I just remember doing it!

Later on I managed to wrap both legs behind my neck! This was always done under the same kitchen chair.

No, I can’t do any that now. What an odd thing to do.

Besides running? Mountain climbing.

I used to backpack in the Sierras and in the Rockies. It was not uncommon if we saw an inviting peak to drop our packs and hike/climb to the top. Nothing really technical, just an adventurous hike.

When I was young, I was guaranteed that when I went to sleep, I would sleep all night, at least 7 hours unless something woke me up (like an alarm for school, or work, for example). Now, I fall asleep and I may wake up a few hours later and be awake for a few hours, and fall back to sleep in the early morning.

@jca2 You and me both! That’s why I find 250 steps on my fitness watch in the morning.