Really sorry to read Rebecca, but this sounds very familiar to me…
I’m actually using the JG practice planner to remind me of this. I’ve added a brief back exercise to the beginning of my routine, this helps me to be able to play mostly undisturbed by these kind of ‘older guitar student’ problems 
What a great idea! I am tall (6’4") with the typical tall guy’s back problems. I picked up a guitar for the first time just before my 60th birthday, and have been eagerly learning with Justin almost every day for the past 2-1/2 years. My back starts to get sore after about an hour, so I’ll add a back stretch to the beginning of my practice. Definitely one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” moments. Thanks!
Yeah, I’m 6’3", and add to that the fact that I’m 74 years old. I don’t know how to do back stretches, though. Let me know if doing them makes any difference for you.
Well, I know they keep my back from spasming more often than not!
Mike, we’re two years later. How’s it going? If you’ve kept at it, you no doubt are becoming quite skilled.
And Mike … 53 isn’t ‘mature.’ lol … you’re young, man, young! I’m 68, and just getting going with the guitar again after an absence of many years. We’re not mature. We’re cool!
Sure, being older has some disadvantages, not potentially having as many years ahead of you to learn being chief among them.
I think there are advantages, also. I joke that I only have one talent, which is that I can teach myself new skills. I didn’t always know how to do that.
I’m adopted. When I was a kid, my dad and uncle played guitar. They tried to teach me once. I.har never been so frustrated. My fingers couldn’t tangle enough to play the simplest of chords. I figured that guitar playing wasn’t in my genetics.
As a young adult I found and met my birth family. My (birth)dad and brothers all play guitar quite well. Even then I figured it was too late to start. Especially since my fingers still couldn’t tangle enough to play the simplist of chords.
What I discovered later should be obvious but it isn’t. All skills are aquired skills. Of course I couldn’t play guitar. I’d never taken the time to learn, or to develop the motor skills.
I’m now in my early 40s. (48 is still early 40s, right?) And I’m learning and progressing every day in guitar. If I’d started as a kid, or even a young adult, I might be a great guitarist now. I probably also wouldn’t have progressed as quickly as I am now, having learned how to learn. I also might have given up in frustration.
Older new guitarists have some advantages over their younger selves. That’s all.
Hello from the Desert
New to both guitar and this forum. I have a whopping 8 weeks under my belt. Never attempted guitar before. I now have the time and we will see how it goes. Oh. I’m 63 yo recently retired. I love music and like to sing but want to be able to play and have a little fun. My kids are all musical and I’d like to be able to play something they recognize without me telling them what it is. I guess that’s my first goal.
Hi Michael, @mdrainwater
woef woef …or Welcome here , I wish you a lot of fun 
(edit:) And years to go after the whopping 8 weeks
Greetings, Rogier
Well this old dog learnt some new tricks, I am not far off 69 and love glam rock, been playing since I was 10 with a 50 odd year gap started again when I retired decided to follow the Justin beginners course the get some knowledge and not try to play every song on the radio just starting grade 2 module 9.
Hello from another Old Dog living in the “High Desert”!!!
Albuquerque is a mile high & much cooler than Phoenix!!! 
Welcome to the Community, Michael!!! This is a pretty cool place to ask questions & swap info about guitar, music, gear & life!!! Justin’s method is by far the BEST I have found!!! Take it slow and pick up your guitar every day, even if it’s only for a few minutes and you’ll see steady improvement!!! Have lots of fun (that’s what this is all about, after all) and enjoy your musical journey!!!
Good luck!!!
Tod
Hello Michael and welcome to our community. 
That is a great drive and I’m sure you’ll be impressing your kids before you know it.
Hello Michael 
A very warm welcome to the forum.
You’ve found the perfect place here. Like you I’m also a beginner (have started in summer) and I still enjoy every minute. The lessons and song tutorials are great, and when you follow the course and find the time to practice, you’ll soon enjoy your progress and will be able to play your first songs.
Maybe some Christmas songs? There are still some weeks ahead and a lot of time to practice … 
I’m sure your kids will love it and recognize your first songs very soon.
Have lots of fun on your musical journey 
Cheers from Germany
Gunhild 
Jason from Utah - I am so grateful for this community. I can’t wait to learn from each of you.
Hello and welcome to our community Jason.
Lots of very helpful people here. Enjoy your adventure.
80+ years old! Having a ball relearning old tricks! I may have to for go the singing however.
Hi Nancy (@pyradise ),
I’m 71 and started playing again 4 years ago after a 45 year hiatus. I’m having fun and I’m a much better player now than I was when I played in my teens. I appreciate the learning process more, I’m more patient, and my motivation is different as I already ‘got the girl’.
I wish you the best in your guitar journey!
Thank you, I’m also 45 years out & have more time for perfection!
Awesome! Give the singing a shot though, who knows? You might be good at it.
Can we get back to a more nineties version of a forum? I can’t scroll through 600 posts
When does old start according to the Justin community?