How many of you exercise regularly because it will be good for your body in old age?

[ThisIsClare]

Not counting walking (especially during lockdown) how many of you exercise at least three times a week, not counting walking? How many of you run or lift weights or do a class at least three times a day for at least half an hour? And if you do, what are your reasons for exercising regularly? Just curious to see how many people exercise regularly (besides walking) because it will make a difference to their bodies in old age. DIsclaimer - I used to work out a lot (around 12 - 15 hours a week, but hated it and now don't do any exercise as can't be bothered.

I do it to look after my weight and mental health now. My dad is inspirational though, he's 70 and landscaped the garden! He always has a project, usually in the garden involving heavy lifting. I'd get bored / lose momentum after 20 mins.

"now (late forties). I started exercising because I was shocked how much strength, stamina and flexibility I was already losing and disliked the thought of it just getting worse and worse."

Oh dear. Coming into my mid-forties now, this has me a bit worried. Can you describe how you noticed you were losing strength, stamina and flexibility?

I thought it might be you from your other thread.

The vast majority of people on that one have told you that you have some seriously disordered thinking around food, body image and exercise.

I would wager that the same will apply here as I am another voice adding to the 'absolutely yes' I want to keep strong and flexible, I want to be fit enough to enjoy walks and I love running for my mental health.

The fact I can then keep my weight in closer check due to my activity levels / muscle mass is secondary.

Seriously OP, the way you think about food and exercise is not normal and you would probably massively benefit from counselling.

I am late 50's and muck out a bunch of horses and walk the dog every day. I feel I should be doing more, but cant bear zoom classes. I also have a rowing machine but 2 broken arms and arthritis in my hand have put paid to that for now. I love the horses, as well as keeping me fit they are a way of life.

It's a factor for me now I'm approaching 50. I think it's important to have a strong core and good hip flexibility in later life to prevent avoidable injury. I tend to choose exercise that promotes these as opposed to hard-core calorie burning these days.

Yes, me.

I've just turned 60 and I do weights and body weight workouts to keep fitter and in better shape as I get older.

I actually started when I was about 40 when I did a lot of cycling, but I have changed to more weight bearing stuff as I have been diagnosed with osteopenia.

I also like walking, and gardening is pretty good exercise too.

I do. I'm 46 and keeping going.
With a bit of luck I'll get first in my age group at parkrun when I'm around 80 . I'm playing a long game.

Me. Run 10k every day plus walk 5k. The walking does make a difference too, I have found. 3 times a week or more do stretches and strength exercises.

I started after cancer treatment. I wanted to feel better about my body and health. I was overweight, had had a mastectomy, with grey hair that had grown through very woolly and straight outwards like Einstein's. All I can say is my plan worked. 3 years later, 4 stone lighter, hair grown and tinted blonde (with a tea I make) and much much fitter and stronger!

Yes

Yep, I work out every day. Mix of weights, resistance training, HIIT, yoga

I do it for my body now and in the future. It makes it easier to lift my baby and I feel better about myself

In my view everyone should be able to do basic body weight exercises - squat, modified push ups etc (disabilities not withstanding)

Yes it has crossed my mind. I have bad knees and I always think it will just deteriorate if I don't keep at the exercise.

@Gerla im feeling the same. Turned 48 last week. I've always been healthy and fit up until 2 years ago when everything went wrong and it really shocked me how quickly my body aged. I have rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia now but am doing exercises to slow that down if I can plus not reach 50 feeling worse.

@eaglerising can we get some more info about tinting your hair blonde with tea?

Mid-40s, exercise 5-6 times a week, strength work at least 3 of those times.
Ageing well is one of my biggest motivators. My mum's in her late 60s, and has arthritis and osteoporosis and is generally not very fit/active. It's definitely made me think about what I can do to give my body the best chance of working well.
Also, I've never had to give my weight any thought due to being blessed with a good metabolism (I eat reasonably well, but not brilliantly, and never make choices based on calories etc), that's just started to change over the last couple of years and I'd much rather exercise than change my diet to maintain the status quo.

I do it mostly because I want to look good now, but thinking about how to stay healthy into old age is definitely a factor too.

@Looneytune253

Yes it has crossed my mind. I have bad knees and I always think it will just deteriorate if I don't keep at the exercise.

Whereas I sometimes worry that the exercise will exacerbate my bad knee.

I hate exercise, but started in January 2020 with 3 days a week. Now I do 7 days and very rarely skip one day. I like cardio and boxercise. I do it at home and via YouTube. Popsugar is brilliant. I do sometimes do Pilates/ Yoga.

I'm not interested in joining a gym. I might do one local class when things are open and then I want to take up swimming again.

@Elastamum I was mucking out horses every day too until a couple of years ago. It does keep you fit and being outdoors with the horses was great too, plus the riding and general taking care of them. We sadly had to sell our horses 5 years ago due to some awful family circumstances but I have taken up roller skating 🤣🤣🤣 More scared of that than horse riding x

I do a mixture of resistance, HIIT, Kettlebells and running, partly to stay healthy/slim/fit and also because I feel so much better for it once I've done it. It doesn't take long either; if you dedicate a solid 30 mins full pelt it's job done. I enjoy feeling fit. I had a bit of time off after my first but I've consistently done some form of exercise since my early adulthood (43 now). Husband is the same, we want to enjoy retirement together!

Oh dear. Coming into my mid-forties now, this has me a bit worried. Can you describe how you noticed you were losing strength, stamina and flexibility?

Yes! Just everyday things:

Strength - found it harder to open jars, carry shopping

Stamina - literally couldn't run for more than a minute, kids could easily run away from me - now after taking up running before Christmas, I can run for 20 minutes. ( I know that's not loads but it is for me).

Flexibility - started to find it difficult to get down on the floor and get back up - found myself asking DS to get things that were under the bed etc! I also went to a dr for back pain and he noticed that I can't actually turn my head very far to one side. Weirdly I had never noticed that on my own but now I am very aware of it and trying to rectify.

I think a lot of people don't really get these problems until they are older but I have started young! Part of the "problem" is that I have always been slim and have never been overweight which lulled me into a false sense of security - I was slim but very unfit. I was also diagnosed with osteopaenia and took up running to help with that.

Yes. I’m 51 and very aware that the number of prime years left to me is dwindling. I want to make sure I stay as fit as I can for as long as I can do do 3 sessions a week -run, workout, step aerobics, body pump etc (when available obvs!). Have been relying on YouTube videos and found some great home workouts

I hate exercise actually. Get nothing from it mentally. But I do five short sessions of HIIT incl bodyweight exercise per week. And walk a lot. All purely for fitness in older age and not for any joy of it.

For joy I have other things I'd rather do.

" I love the horses, as well as keeping me fit they are a way of life."

I'm curious how you broke both your arms.

I’m exercising for shorter term long term benefits of being as fit as possible before menopause

I like the impact on health and weight but it’s mainly for the psychological effects really

"Yep, I work out every day. Mix of weights, resistance training, HIIT, yoga"

What exactly do you do Shirley?