To think it’s possible to stay fit and healthy into your 40s and 50s without ailments?

I'm 46 and totally fine so far. Yoga and running every day, can walk 12 miles without breaking a sweat. No medication and I haven't darkened the door of a hospital since I broke my arm at 11.

My only issue is occasional lower back pain from a contracted piriformis muscle (thanks lockdown!) But that is getting better with daily physio.

Similarly Mr Monkey is early fifties, no health issues at all - runs at least 60 miles a week and does 3 marathons a year, most under 3.20 hrs.

Based on the people I know, a few have a nasty health shock in their 50s or 60s, many start to get all kinds of minor problems during their seventies and most are feeling very tired and/or pretty rough during their 80s. Some remain very healthy into their nineties, but it isn't the majority and it isn't necessarily the people who have led the healthiest lifestyle. I haven't found that ill health usually starts as early as 40, though the menopause can be a grim and long-lasting pain.

Of course it is possible, but it can be a LOT harder than in your 30s.

I am 52, I’d say I’m fit and healthy and active, but I have fibromyalgia, compressed discs in my spine, and am enduring a horrible perimenopause which is the gift that keeps on bloody giving. I keep fit, healthy and active thanks to a combination of hard work (gym, running etc), planning my sessions in advance, vitamins, counselling, physiotherapy (i.e. spending money!) and tactical rest. Staying active is much much harder and more expensive than it was 20 years ago and it takes me longer to recover. But yes, it’s doable and I will keep doing it!

Ever heard of Sniper Alley? It’s a common nickname for one’s 50s, as one dodges the bullets of illness and injury….

Who are all these people telling you you're going to get ill and that if you don't then it's only down to good genes? Sounds mean-spirited and jealous of them. I'd get yourself some new friends. Surrounding yourself with positive people will also help you achieve a healthy middle and old age.

I don’t want to be “that” poster, but have you talked to your GP about perimenopause/HRT? I was suffering from brain fog and joint pain but since starting HRT in the summer (I’m 43 for context) both have drastically reduced and I’m steadily improving my sleep - I found magnesium cream applied to the feet at night really helps.

Almost 60 and fit as a flea.

Fitter than most people in their 30s and way more motivated, according to all my contracts. No days off work since before covid (genuinely can't remember the last time I was off sick). Worked from home when I had pleurisy.

I am obsessive about excercise and exercise almost every day (I don't recognise my daily walk as exercise). I follow a specific supplement regime I've devised that works for me. I recognise that every dis-ease is spiritual, psychological and physical. So I work on all aspects of my well-being.

No vaccines since 1999 (due to a life-threatening bad reaction)

Also, massively genetically blessed. Thing is, my brother died in his mid 50s, in spite of his great genes. Genes cannot outrun addiction etc.

Ooops, edited cos I forgot to post I have hypothyroidism and asthma. I take my meds and forget I have them!

And menopause was a wonderful change from periods in my case too. I am very lucky.

I'm 48 - I do spin three times a week and one session of PT. I used to run and my knees hurt but they're completely fine now with spin.

I think it's a bit of both OP. There are concrete things we can do to reduce our risk of certain illnesses like certain cancers and heart disease. At the same time sometimes stuff just happen - bad genes or just bad luck. I got diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 49 (having been unwell since age 38). There's no history of ovarian or breast cancer in my family. Before getting cancer I had chronic hip/sciatic pain, back pain, IBS and endometriosis. I have had a stressful life though, don't know if that makes a difference - I was in an abusive relationship, though I didn't get cancer til after I'd left

My DH is 55 and is fitter and healthier than me at 38. He never gets ill and I've got an autoimmune condition

If you plan on having kids you may find your body ain’t what it used to be after pregnancy and childbirth! I still get aches and pains in my hip joints even though my youngest is nearly 8. My rib cage and feet both expanded during pregnancy and never went back. Pelvic floor was shot to pieces for a few years but thankfully much improved, though not perfect now.

How you age comes down to 3 main factors: genetics, lifestyle and a whole load of luck.

You stand a better chance if you look after yourself. Frankly a great deal though is down to luck as healthy young people have been hit by long covid, Crohns disease etc.

Im 49 and have no health issues. I've only been in hospital for giving birth. No significant injuries either. I'm a bit podgy (about a stone overweight) but quite fit and limber. I run half marathons 3 or so times a year so run 3 times a week and swim once or twice a week. I also do Pilates twice a week and some form of strength training or yoga every day even if only for 10 mins. I work 4 days a week and it is actually much easier to keep fit now than it was when I was less senior at work and the children were younger.

Are you calling people in their 40s and 50s “old age”? It’s around the corner I tell ya!

early 50s here, I consider myself very healthy but I did have to take HRT which was a life saver (was tired, unmotivated).

my mum has always been extremely active, never drank alcohol or smoke, eats healthy, she developed a thyroid problem that if not medicated can be debilitating and also osteoporosis due to the menopause. Her eyes are also failing.

You just never know but definitely keep active and healthy, it will help either way.

I felt great at 31. Slim, healthy and full of energy. Now I'm 45, I'm anaemic, have insomnia, ache all the time, can't think clearly. Frequent sinus pain and water infection. I can't dance, I exercise daily but I've gained 2 stone in weight around my stomach. I have a slipped disc that frequently spasms. Heavy periods every 3 weeks. Mood up and down.

I feel how I imagined 70 would feel.

I'm 44 and not on any medication. Two friends, 41 and 51 are on tonnes of medications for one thing or another. They were surprised I'm not on anything and dont have any health issues.

I'm over 60 with no health conditions and still fit and healthy. I exercise every day but not excessively, enjoy cycling and climbing mountains. I hope to keep going like this as long as I can!

I’m in my sixties. When I was in my fifties a lot of my friends had ailments and diseases diagnosed. Various cancers, arthritis, spine issues, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc. it’s wear and tear in many cases.

I'm 51 and DH is 52. He has always been super strong and works a physical job, I'd say he is as fit and healthy as he was in his 30's.

I was very healthy in my 20's and 30's but since hitting perimenopause everything has been so difficult, I'm hoping it will change once menopause comes but I worry that I will never be the same again even though I still try to do the same amount of exercise that I've always done and I stay slim etc but I just don't feel well anymore despite my GP saying all is ok, I feel my body is deteriorating and I have to say most of my friends of the same age say the same.
I truly feel older age is tougher on the female body due to our declining hormones.

I'm 50 and no health issues, my mum is in her 70's extremely active with no health issues either. Eat healthily and exercise plenty, don't smoke or drink too much and hopefully you'll have no issues for the next 20 years.

I can tell you one thing, at the age you are and and worrying about things that may or may not happen 40 years into the future, it's not your body you need to ask about!

I think though that genetics play a big part, so does regular exercise and a reasonably healthy lifestyle. But luck is what it's all about really. I mean no one really knows why healthy living people are being struck down with cancer left right and centre, or develop other diseases, or become mentally unwell.

OK we can help ourselves, but I'm a firm believer that it's all down to fate in the end. Worrying about it probably brings on a lot of illness too.

FWIW I'm 66 and (knock on wood) have never been sick apart from colds and flu type things. Both my parents died in their early 60s due to cancer, as did my younger sister at 45. All non drinkers/smokers/active and so on. Fate again.

Worry and anxiety are the main precursors to illness I think. But what do I know if the medical profession don't know!

I have a chronic condition - underactive thyroid - which is not age related or preventable. Diagnosed in early 40s. Also diagnosed with an arthritic knee in late 50s. But still consider myself well.

The oldest people in my yoga class are 80+
Average age is 60
We were doing plough and floating half moon today.

LOTS of people are fit and active into later age.

Nearly 55 here. On antidepressants and HRT but am physically very well with no chronic conditions.
10 years ago I suffered a brain complication from which I recovered but I do think that made me appreciate my health a lot more.

I take four prescription tablets every day, and expect to do so indefinitely. I'm still fit, healthy and giving blood in my mid 50s though.

I think that by the time you get to your seventies it's the luck of the draw though, lots of people who've taken perfect care of themselves still randomly fall victim to cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, arthritis etc at that age.

My mum had a period of dodgy thyroid in her 50s. She's now 78 and apart from thyroid meds and a knee that hurts if she spends too long kneeling while gardening, she's in great shape. She's not hugely physically active but does loads of volunteering and admin stuff for the charity she volunteers for, is an amazing grandma and has a better social life than me by miles. The doctor suggested a new knee so she took up yoga to avoid it.