Yes, I do row...some...but mostly only to get from here to there....and then I kick. That said, I'll be re-evaluating this, as well. I'd thought the stress & strain was coming from mostly my poor posture but we'll see.Lots of good tips here, same stuff that works for me. I have one thought. Do you row the grizzly? I know I can't use the garden shovel or row anymore without it leading to issues. I can gently fin around in the tube all day. Kicking too hard, too long, against the wind will get me hurting.
We recently took out a second mortgage and bought a sweet Sleep Number adjustable bed! It’s not a cure all but it definitely helps my old back! Pretty spendy but we’re worth it!I’ve herniated the L5/S1 & bulged the S1/S2…struggled for two years with severe pain in my right ankle. A convulsive episode from a reaction to medication (the pain from this was excruciating) shifted the disc off the nerve…I was scheduled for back surgery in two weeks, postponed the surgery…this was 2005. I consider myself extremely lucky.
Consider a new bed…very firm works for me…
We recently took out a second mortgage and bought a sweet Sleep Number adjustable bed! It’s not a cure all but it definitely helps my old back! Pretty spendy but we’re worth it!
When I was about 80 I downsized from a South Fork pontoon boat at around 50 lbs to a Scadden Predator at around 15 lbs and it was a big help. Getting that SF on top of the Outback was getting to be a back breaker and it found a home with a young strong guy. I have used the Predator for several years now and it has been a good boat after making a few engineering changes that Scadden overlooked. Now nearing 86 I have made things easier on myself by getting an Outcast Cruzer Max with oars and an inflatable seat that weighs 18 lbs. This will be my boat of choice for smaller lakes as it fits easily inside of my Outback with no lifting or lashing down required. It is essentially a Super Fat Cat with oars and it makes a tremendous difference getting around in a lake, especially if there is any breeze at all. I vastly prefer the urethane seat to the hard foam seats in some of the boats. After starting out in a roundie with a truck inner tube decades ago the Cruzer Max is the Bentley Continental GT of float tubes these days.Yes, I do row...some...but mostly only to get from here to there....and then I kick. That said, I'll be re-evaluating this, as well. I'd thought the stress & strain was coming from mostly my poor posture but we'll see.
And @Josh...yes it might be time to make the switch. Packed up and/or loaded with gear my WM weighs 40-50 lbs. I love if for the portability and minimal storage but off the top of my head I can think of at least 4 or 5 incidents where I've pissed off my back and had to lay low for a month. I'm no Einstein but I when I was working these things were called clues.
I'm liking the look and weight of the Predator Lo Pro....what sort upgrades did you make?When I was about 80 I downsized from a South Fork pontoon boat at around 50 lbs to a Scadden Predator at around 15 lbs and it was a big help. Getting that SF on top of the Outback was getting to be a back breaker and it found a home with a young strong guy. I have used the Predator for several years now and it has been a good boat after making a few engineering changes that Scadden overlooked. Now nearing 86 I have made things easier on myself by getting an Outcast Cruzer Max with oars and an inflatable seat that weighs 18 lbs. This will be my boat of choice for smaller lakes as it fits easily inside of my Outback with no lifting or lashing down required. It is essentially a Super Fat Cat with oars and it makes a tremendous difference getting around in a lake, especially if there is any breeze at all. I vastly prefer the urethane seat to the hard foam seats in some of the boats. After starting out in a roundie with a truck inner tube decades ago the Cruzer Max is the Bentley Continental GT of float tubes these days.
We've had two Sleep Number beds. The first lasted about 20 years...which is damned long for a mattress. We expect the same from the second one, which appears to be even better constructed than the first. Both were easily adjustable for comfort.We recently took out a second mortgage and bought a sweet Sleep Number adjustable bed! It’s not a cure all but it definitely helps my old back! Pretty spendy but we’re worth it!
no truer words...overweight and poor physical conditioning, at any age, the incubator for so many health problems.remain limber, stretch, build the core, and do not gain weight. ..
That's a very generous offer....thank you. I likely won't take you up on it any time soon but I did spend some time reading/learning about Tempress seats.What a great thread, lots of great reminders for all of us, at all ages.
At 53, I work to keep the low back pain away.
I’ve always fished out of a small pram, and just recently picked up an 8’ Spring Creek pram and installed a Tempress seat on the pedestal. @M_D , you’re welcome to pick it up here in Snohomish and try it for the week. Blackman lake here in town is fishing well, if you’re interested in a day trip.
View attachment 102298
Nice ageI decided some years ago to quit talking about how fucked up my body is at 69.
The guys I hang out with really don’t want to hear it. It’s been a good strategy
I think we are living in the information age. A positive aspect of the internet is the wealth of knowledge and experience that's out there if one is willing to look for it.I decided some years ago to quit talking about how fucked up my body is at 69.
The guys I hang out with really don’t want to hear it. It’s been a good strategy