Coming up to 60.... what do you do to stay as healthy as possible as you age?

[loveyouradvice]

Just that really....Realised with a shock that I live life as if I expect to live forever.... and that of course I won't

So taking stock... building health for the next 20+ years and keen to be amongst those vibrant intrepid types in my 80s if possible.

What do you do?

I'm already focussed on great sleep, nutrition and exercise. And have done 16.8 intermittent fasting 5-6 days a week for the last six months.... and expect to go on doing it 4-5 days a week post pandemic.

I'm adding:

• trialling 10 minutes mediation every morning
• more balance exercise - dance and tai chi
• the fun one - seeing friends more! Building local networks... great excuse to spend more time socialising! (Yup, I know its outdoors but I rather like that)
• looking into antioxidants and thinking of eating turmeric every day!

Im not a health nut but am keen to do some simple stuff from now rather than thinking at 70, why on earth didnt I start ten years ago.....

What do you do - or wish you had done earlier??

Weight training. I started it and it’s great for body and mind. And for strengthening muscles and bones. Very satisfying too. Book some sessions with a PT to start and make sure your technique is good to prevent injury.

I’m really enjoying being middle aged and able to lift heavy stuff!

Watch your diet. So many of my friends have piled on the pounds once they hit 60. You definitely need fewer calories.

Keep your balance and flexibility as much as possible.

When the Queen turned 90 the BBC asked a handful of 90 year olds what was the secret to longevity. Of course there isn't, but the common factors seemed to be: genes, not having had an accident or disease that would have killed them (I don't mean having something and surviving, I mean having something that killed them), purpose, and being physically active. Not diet, though they tended to be within a healthy weight range.
So, keep your weight down, keep active, keep involved with other people, be that family and or community, and hope you do not get cancer or other life shortening disease, or hit by a bus. And hope you are just plain lucky.

@Phyzzy

All this fasting and restricted diets must be miserable...

I find a fast easier than a diet. I feel it taps in to something primal.

@MoonMallow

Those doing the fasting: I try not to eat between dinner and brunch/lunch but I have to have a cup of tea and a cup of coffee to get me through it. With milk! Is this cheating?

Use almond milk! It provokes a much much smaller insulin response. I have got used to it now so i can have tea or coffee on a fast. Even this may be cheating (?)

@WiseOwlWan I find a fast easier than a diet. I feel it taps in to something primal.
Perhaps I have the advantage of good genes at least as far as weight is concerned, at 62 I weigh the same as I did at 22 and my BMI is 21.

I watched my mother slide into decrepit old age and she died this year at the age of 85. I never want to end up like she did but she did it all right. She was a healthy weight all her life, didn't drink, hugely active both physically and mentally until aged 75. Then she had a mild stroke, plus heart failure which rendered her immobile. She retained her full mental faculties until she died but was trapped in a body that wouldn't work and the last few years were miserable.
I don't know what she could have done to avoid it.

I guess being overweight is the one big thing that people can decide to put right.

Yes, thankfully, never battled with my weight.
Fasting is about more than weight management though.
Im not as evangelical about fasting as some people are but it does seem to keep yr metabolism in very good order. And that benefits everything else. Any inflammatory condition as well.

We just never know of course. I could have a stroke or a ln embolism or an aneurism 😪 but i guess fasting makes me feel im in control of my health. I might be or it might be an illusion but i like the feeling.

We will never know what's round the corner... but I don't want to reach 95 thinking why didnt I just do x when I was 60? Having years of crippling pain or very poor health is what Im most keen to avoid

and If I die earlier, then that's just what happened

yes same here, the feeling (real or imagined) of having control is worth a few sacrifices.

I have two weeks off soon, not going anywhere, but i plan to listen to a few more books about longevity and fasting.

I turned 60 in April. In January I took up running. Did C25k. Im not fast but I enjoy it, My goal was to run 5k before I was 60. I managed it the day before! I was so thrilled. Ive kept it going and have run 11k, though not for quite a while. I also went on a diet/eating healthily. Ive lost 2 stone 4lbs and have kept it off (so far!) It has helped me to feel better and be fitter. Also I think I would have struggled a lot more with the lockdowns if I hadn't been running. It definitely helps with mental health, I suffer with depression.
I started running at the gym on the treadmill but when the 1st lockdown started I couldn't do that.
So I ended up running outside and loved it. Best thing I ever did was start running. If I can do it anyone can. If you fancy giving it a go start slowly and build it up.

I took up running when I turned 60. I joined Parkrun and loved it. I have run most days during lockdown and do a Zoom yoga class twice weekly. I have so much more time now than at any other time in my life so exercising is easy to fit in.

Regarding fasting, I recommend anyone with inflammatory conditions to give it a try. My plantar fascitis disappeared within days. My knees don't ache on stairs and inflammation visibly reduced in my face. Lots of reports in my Facebook groups of improvements to serious and debilitating inflammatory conditions.

I’ve tried fasting for other reasons but it was a real struggle. I mentioned it to my doctor and she said people with low blood pressure might be best to avoid it. But it’s such a handy thing to do. Others have said it should be fine.

Loving reading such vibrant positivity about ageing well..

And interesting about low blood pressure and fasting ... I have low bp but find the 16:8 easy... while doing 1-2 days hasn't been so easy.... while my husband thrives on a three day-er! That might explain it...

64 here. Manage to maintain a healthy weight by being a bit tough on ourselves during the week so we can have a treat or two at the weekend as we both like a glass of wine.
I've been doing a morning exercise regime for a few years with light weights, stretches and squats and my once slightly dodgy knees have improved dramatically. Both my parents had knee replacements so it was something I was keen to avoid.
I also do Zumba once or twice a week, walk most days and take Vitamin D. Would usually be away for around 6 months of the year getting lots more sun and doing lots more walking and swimming so it's been harder this year to keep things in check.

I have been fasting for several years now, mainly for the health benefits as I have high cholesterol and high blood pressure, but it does help keep weight under control and gives me two booze free days a week as I really like wine.

I eat well, cook from scratch, moderate intake of alcohol and biscuits, and exercise regularly with walking and some cardio/interval training and weights.

Feel fitter than in my twenties TBH - youth is wasted on the young!

66 ...try not to be more than a few pounds overweight, try not to drink more than a bottle of wine a week and not eat as much chocolate as I would really like to. Do a bit of walking and yoga once a week. Moderation in all things....but enjoy yourself and don’t feel too guilty. Luck and good genes are of course the real key and you can’t do a lot about that.

Tonton Yes I love the idea that I could be fitter than in my 20s .... my husband is at 65! Keen cyclist and seriously fit.... So I am going to give it a go.

And Fussychica - that is SO impressive. For the first time my knees have been feeling a bit dodgy over the last 12 months - so yes this resonated with me -

I've been doing a morning exercise regime for a few years with light weights, stretches and squats and my once slightly dodgy knees have improved dramatically. Both my parents had knee replacements so it was something I was keen to avoid.

So great hearing from everyone - makes me feel happy and enthusiastic about what I can do for my health in the coming years!