Feeling it in the Morning?

Continuing the discussion from All your customers called today and canceled for good:

So this got me thinking, When does the physical element of the work start to become a con more than a pro?

I’m 40 and for about 5 years the thought has crept in, Do I really want to be doing this when I’m 70? My knees really take a beating and it’s not the kneecap, it’s stiffness in the back of the knee. Lower back too.

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the pane. Sedentary office work can be deadly.

As far as RSI from WC goes, I suppose one of the benefits of the multiple services I offer (office cleaning, carpet cleaning, floor scrubbing/waxing) I just end up being sore all over. Not complaining, the soreness just motivates me to keep going to the gym and to keep doing beach walks.

2 Likes

I think it varies widely…I started in '99 at age 46. I have a sturdy body.
Aches, pains, tightness all around but yoga and a good diet help… a lot.
And I work 6-7 hrs/day rather than 9-10 like when I started.

3 Likes

I used to Paint and Roof. Window Cleaning is not as bad as most labor intensive jobs. Skill, and enjoyable conversations are productive. I’m working on internet presence and flyers, but referrals have been best so far.

I’ve had weird issues with ankles and wrists that have been alleviated by avoiding awkward and repetitive motions…

1 Like

Funny thing is that I have no issues with wrists or elbows, RSD, etc. Must be my highly inefficient technique. :nerd_face::grimacing::point_right::ok_hand::facepunch::metal::point_down:

For shoulders, I do deadhangs for a bit on my pullup bar, and do one set of squats, pushups, and pullups. I just do one set for 5-10 minutes while drinking coffee. It’s helped me a lot. I have bad knees and shoulders, so i guess I used my wrists and ankles to compensate.

1 Like

Oh… Everyday.

Research ways to alleviate issues of the skeleton, tendons, ligaments and muscle groups.

  • Stretch properly
  • Body specific exercises
    (a runner uses their muscles and joints in different ways than a cyclist or weight lifter does, so doing something different effects your body differently).
  • Proper diet
  • Bone soup (natural way to get collagen into the joints and muscles).
    DrAxe
  • Beware of repetitive motions that result in bursitis. (Switch hands when doing these motions).
    Edit: I have beat this body up over the years and can feel it from time to time. Broken ribs, broken wrist, compression fracture of vertebrae, wrenched spine, impinged shoulder, torn rotator cuff, dislocated clavical - all while having fun in the great outdoors. Chiropractic care and working on resettling all that was “unsettled” and listening to instruction from Physical Therapists has kept me going. Certain foods do help correct issues after certain medicines have done their jobs.

NEVER get addicted to the benefits of medicine. They are meant to be temporary boosters to get you back on track!

2 Likes

Use Sir Don for a little inspiration! Guy is a lil beast! I need to find me a wooden A ladder

8 Likes

I’m 44 now and started cleaning windows when I was 21. I cleaned windows for 20 years and stepped away at 41. For many years I did a lot of small commercial route & Residential with a very large commercial account with 35 buildings mixed in with all that every 4 months. I ended up burning my body out. My knees, and back & neck were the worst of it. When I stepped away at 41 I went to an office job and found that I really hate being confined in an office all day. My body has repaired itself mostly as I try to stay active and go to the gym etc. Well I have decided come next month I’m stepping back into window cleaning. I really do miss a lot about it. This time around I plan to concentrate more on the residential and less on large commercial glass that involved 100’s and 100’s of panes of glass a day. That is what wore my body down. I know some folks would say why not just hire more people and expand and do it all but to be honest that is not my desire. I enjoy doing the work and just don’t have a desire to hire a ton of people and run a large company. A big selling point for me was (is) the fact myself the owner will be on every job.

5 Likes

That’s awesome!

1 Like

I’ll put up with any amount of physical fatigue and even a bit of pain/discomfort to avoid an office job.

3 Likes

I am 44, have been doing high-rise work for 26 years which is more labor-intensive than storefront and residential just due to the equipment you work with if it’s swing stage or counterweights, carrying these various heavy items up and down many flights of stairs daily or thru wallount ladders. Upper body strength, holding your own body weight takes a tall after time.

I have a lower back that is recommended to be fused, herniated disc in neck, tear on both shoulders. I exercise routinely and am healthy otherwise. Yes, sore alot but will likely be doing the same work for many years. I have the opportunity to take a different role at that point and either sell business or build into a larger company where I no longer perform the physical work.

I like the options I’ll have when I decide to change

3 Likes

One of my faves:
Love his workflow, pace and body control.

3 Likes

A lot of pains/ aches are caused by inflation. I drink turmeric tea every morning and it really helps. Alternatively ibuprofen works too but can lead to ulcers over time.

5 Likes

“A lot of pains/ aches are caused by inflation.” Yes diet is huge and stay away from the SAD diet as much as possible

Is that sugar alcohol dairy?

I sprinkle turmeric on my chow all day long. Yes, it really helps.

2 Likes

Cool. I was half expecting some one to call me a quack and say that hippie sh*t doesn’t work. Provides a good energy boost too.

3 Likes