Over 50? how do you keep fit?

Ordinary_Yet_Unique

Also should add I have never  drank alcohol, taken illegal drugs or smoked. 

An earlier poster mentioned there used to be free swimming for over 60s in their area. Not sure I would agree with that. Discounts for those with young children would be better.
Swimming sessions are now very expensive if you do not join one of the local authority leisure schemes.
At my local pool it is £6 for an hour! Fortunately with my leisure card I can swim as much as I like for just  over £22 a month. No reductions for so called senior citizens. That also includes badminton and the sauna should I ever wish to partake lol.
As with everything moderation is the key. I find it interesting that old sedentary university professors usually make into their 90s whereas a lot of sports people peg out in their 70s! 

Perhaps lack of too much stress is the key after all lol!

helensbiggestfan

I have recently moved house and it knocked the stuffing out of me and my exercise routines took a nose dive.  I am still recovering so i am just starting again with daily yoga/pilates and have added some small hand weights to try and build up some muscle. At almost 74 I have noticed that I am starting to lose muscle strength and stamina,  I want to address that.  

I have considered joining a gym with a pool but I have to confess to having a bit of an aversion to public gyms......all those sweaty bodies, all that bacteria......ugh. The beauty of my new house is that I now have a spare room that I can use as a home gym/dance
studio. I am just waiting for my handy man to help me set it up,  I have  a treadmill and mini trampoline, exercise ball, yoga mat, hand weights and a stack of exercise and dance DVDs,  The only thing missing would be a swimming pool. 😂🤣   I do have one of those multi gym thingies but I'm not sure they can be used in an upstairs room (weight??).  I might see if I can get that set up in the integral garage, although that needs be sorted out first.  

Eventually I would like to convert the garage into a proper room which would serve as a gym/home office. Need to save my pennies for that.  

angieb15edin

30 minutes on the exercise bike and a 10 minute indoor walking session daily 

Savvy_Sue

I'd say for anyone who feels they've lost it a bit that Michael Moseley's "just one thing" programmes on Radio 4 (Sounds) may be worth checking out. I've always felt that it never is "just one" thing, but as DH says, there's always ONE thing you can start with, and ignore the rest. 

tooldle

I am a member of the local pool, and swim 2/3 times a week. Roughly 1k each time. I also take a class each week which combines yoga and Pilates. I’ve joined a line dancing class although, it gets cancelled a lot due to members mostly being retired and on holidays / grandchildren duties. I walk everywhere averaging over 30 miles each week. I’m lucky to have a dog for company and often join a friend for a mid week long walk with our dogs. Until recently I’ve been running 10k per week. Unfortunately I’ve injured both Achilles and had to scale this back. Thinking of joining the local ramblers group when I’ve recovered. I have a very large garden, so put in a good few hours each week. I’m 55 and hoping to stay active for a good few years yet. 

Organgrinder

So many swimmers! I understand why but despite doing triathlon in my twenties I've never enjoyed it! Strangford Loch, The Thames, etc etc and many thousands of lengths just never did it for me!

But good to see people keeping fit as our years advance. I'll be back on the bike next week too. Sometimes a break is needed, especially after several COVID related infections!

Grumpy_chap

I think I am probably fitter now than I ever have been when younger.  In part that is because not needing to chase every hour of available work means more time and also the (small amount) of finance needed without the time or the money being accompanied by guilt.

I get 10k steps every day and 100k each week, I do Parkrun every Saturday plus a long run every Thursday evening and I do resistance sessions to start the day a couple of times a week.  Then, if time allows, I'll do another mid-week and / or another weekend gym session and the choice of activity will be whatever takes my fancy - after all, they are only extra sessions, not core sessions.

helensbiggestfan

Morning everyone.  

I too can recommend the Michael Moseley book"Just One Thing".  Lots of tips and helpful advice.  The Compound Effect at work......how a few simple tweaks, can over time,  add up to huge changes,  What a lovely man he was.  

I had to see a pharmacist recently for an insect bite. I am 74 next month and he seemed astonished that I dont take any regular medications,  I have found this once or twice with medics.  A nurse once accused me of lying when I told her I didn't take meds.

I have recently been reading about longevity, and what are called "The Blue Zones" where there are higher than average levels of centenarians.  What makes them live so long and so healthily well into old age.  

The answer seems to be, a healthy diet, movement and keeping an active brain and open mind, having good social connections. 

Everything in moderation, I try to eat healthily most of the time but I'm not obsessive.  I indulge in some good quality dark chocolate, I enjoy a glass or two of vino or the odd G&T, and whilst I have never been accused of being sporty I have come to appreciate the value of exercise.  I think it's crucial if we are to remain strong, healthy and independent. The human body was designed to move.  We now know that being sedentary can be as harmful as smoking so, despite not being very sporty, I do now force myself to exercise more than I used to.  

I like dancing, enjoy gardening and yes even housework, it's all movement isn't it.  I think laughter and fun are important too.  When I'm feeling below par I like to visit with friends and family. They always lift my spirits.   Failing that I watch comedies and have a good chuckle. 

We have lots of great role models who can show us the way.  Look at Mick Jagger, 80 and as lean and lithe as he was in his 20s.  As for Tom Cruise, WOW. Must be all that running.....what shining examples of how to age well.  

80 is the new 60. 😂. 

louby40

I totally agree with all of the above. My maternal grandmother lived until she was 99. My parents are both in their early 80's and still fit and well. They are obsessive cruise goers. My partner and I are joining them next year on the P & O Ventura on a solar eclipse cruise around Spain, Madeira and Portugal.

Ive always done some sort of exercise. Zumba, spin bikes and the gym (it's where I met my partner 11 years ago). They say that regular exercise can definitely extend you life.

SouthCoastBoy

I used to play a lot of football, but was getting so many injuries I packed that up in my mid 40s and moved to running, now 60, and run around 25 miles a week at about 8min/mile pace, I also occasionally do a parkrun, did one last week while staying in North Wales, time just under 22 mins, not as fast as I used to be but still a decent time (in my eyes). 

I also play golf once a week if I get the time. 

Currently I'm training with my daughter as she is doing a 70.3 ironman in September, so tomorrow I have a 56 mile undulating bike ride followed by a 5k run then golf on Sunday.

Once/If i retire I plan to increase my exercise, as really enjoy it.