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.

Because I was taught about Sarcopenia.

Mentally I think I will struggle when I lose mobility. thus, I exercise to keep my body in best condition as I age.

how many of you exercise at least three times a week, not counting walking?
I do, 2-3 cycle rides at least 10 miles & 2-4 runs at least 40 minutes.

How many of you run or lift weights or do a class at least three times a day for at least half an hour?

class? Like jumping around in a smelly room with other people and awful loud music?
Weights? My shoulders can't do weights.

Sod that shit. I haul heavy things around the garden though. I'd like to go swimming, .

age mid50s so definitely put myself in 'Old Fart' territory

I’m 46 and run not so much for old age but more aware that soon I’ll be finding it harder to keep same shape.

Running means I lose weight but I hope it’s not too aging on face (ignoring this part).

I do. It benefits me now. I know it'll also benefit me in the future. Im a nurse and I see elderly patients often. There is a VAST difference between elderly patients who took care of themselves and those who clearly havent.

@UnaOfStormhold

I take real satisfaction in knowing that although I am in my 40s I am getting steadily faster and stronger. My parents are quite inspirational; they're still active in their 70s and 80s because they were active when younger, and have much better quality of life as a result. They've obviously slowed down a bit over the years, but because they were starting from a good base fitness they can still do long walks and bike rides, and one of them runs 3x a week. It's really worth finding the exercise that works for you - something that you do not just for the physical and mental benefits (though these are real) but because you enjoy it.

I totally agree with this. I absolutely love being able to lift a heavier weight than I could the week before, or do extra reps, or see proper progress of a movement (ie side plank time)

I also love how much tone my body has compared to when I just did cardio in my early 20s

Not sure why you're discounting walking. A brisk walk is good, low impact exercise.

Yes.

50 something. I took up exercise in my mid 40s and I don’t think it’s ever too late.

Weights and strength/ flexibility four hours per week, cardio or run with lots of hills twice a week.

We choose our routine based specifically on staying strong into old age, so lots of balance and twisting exercises. I already have arthritis in my knees and have found that adaptation and taking it slowly, focusing on technique and form over reps, has helped immensely. I also have a lower back injury which requires care but I would rather exercise than face the long term consequences of not exercising.

I’m loving Caroline Girvan Epic programme at the moment. She does a lot of asymmetric training which will help in the future reducing risk of trips and falls.

Exercise into old age has so many benefits, I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to achieve those benefits. Why not reduce the risk of dementia, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, trips and falls, etc. As the saying goes, if exercise was a pill, we would all be taking it.

Yes I do online HIIT classes or run at the moment. Usually go to the gym and do a combination of weights and cardio. I do it to keep fit, prevent weight gain as I am mid 40s and prevent the onset of diabetes as I had gestational diabetes.

I do. During lockdown I started doing my Les Mills Body Balance class every morning - previously I did it at the gym about twice a week. I really noticed the difference and it's my happy time now. I get up at 7am to do it whilst husband feeds the kids and gets them ready for school.

I missed the whole of last month as I had covid and could feel my back aching and everything stiffening up. I look on my body like a car - need to look after it now and service it regularly to keep it in top nick.

Exercise into old age has so many benefits, I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to achieve those benefits. Why not reduce the risk of dementia, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, trips and falls, etc. As the saying goes, if exercise was a pill, we would all be taking it
Of course everyone wants the benefits of exercise, they just dont want to have to exert themselves to get the benefit!
Of course everyone would take exercise if it were a pill, the reason most dont is because taking a pill requires no physical exertion!

Local bloke has 2 Alsatian dogs he walks separately, twice a day, 30-35 minutes each. No way that 2 hours walking/day doesn't do something for his health.

@oil0W0lio

Exercise into old age has so many benefits, I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to achieve those benefits. Why not reduce the risk of dementia, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, trips and falls, etc. As the saying goes, if exercise was a pill, we would all be taking it Of course everyone wants the benefits of exercise, they just dont want to have to exert themselves to get the benefit! Of course everyone would take exercise if it were a pill, the reason most dont is because taking a pill requires no physical exertion!

Exactly. Of course I want the benefits in old age, but the state of my body in 20-30 years is not enough to motivate me. I do it for how I feel now.

Yes, I'm 46 and do a variety of things throughout the week. Outside of lockdown I see a PT fortnightly, and go to a weekly circuits class, and a weekly yoga class (still doing yoga on Zoom). We've got a spin bike and treadmill at home, so I use both of those, occasionally jog outdoors as well, walk with friends at least once a week (usually quite brisk, hilly for at least 1.5hrs). It sounds a lot more than it feels!! Oh and also, I'm a slave to my Apple Watch, and it tells me to do stuff every day, so I obey (spin session this morning, about to go for a quick stroll to make the most of the daylight).

I do it because when I don't it affects my mood, makes me feel sluggish, and I very quickly seem to seize up. I also sit and stare at a computer screen for so much of my day, I really need to make the effort to move. I do keep in the back of my mind the benefits into older age. My parents are both active, 79, although rarely did 'prescribed' exercise (Dad does lots of seriously heavy work in their garden, but Mum did start going to aerobics-type classes about 25 years ago, and loves it and the social side).

Walking is good for your heart & the leg muscles that work in one plane. It isn't as helpful for keeping shoulders working in all planes, etc. Exercise needs to be varied in both form and intensity.

Also good for pumping fluid out of your legs, so beneficial for circulation & keeping yiu regular. 😁

@lljkk

Local bloke has 2 Alsatian dogs he walks separately, twice a day, 30-35 minutes each. No way that 2 hours walking/day doesn't do something for his health.

If he has to work from home because of lockdown he might still be doing fewer steps than usual. An hour's walking a day is not much really in a non locked down world. For most of my life I've done something like that on my walk to and from work or to the train and haven't necessarily considered it exercise or been fit because of it. I was also at my heaviest when I walked 40 minutes to and from work every day. It's hard to out-walk a bad diet.

To look good, to socialise, to improve mental health and to benefit my health. Probably in that order too.

I need a kick up the arse! I'm 50 and naturally very slim so have needed to exercise for weight loss/management but I'm aware that I'm getting on a bit now!
My job is active and I walk to work occasionally but basically I do zero exercise.
Would an exercise bike be a good start?!

I do, and became much more aware of it after my Pilates instructor started talking about people she worked with who are retired, and still had good mobility balance flexibility etc. She often talks about functional fitness and I think it’s a really good approach. My mum has really poor core strength and I’ve noticed a couple of times that she’s almost fallen over or hasn’t been able to get up properly. She’s 75, and it gives me motivation not to be like that

I walk for at least 40 minutes every day. I walk at least 11500 steps a day every day. Sometimes I add in a few sprints to the walks if the kids are cycling along. I do weights (heavy - at least for me) 2 times per week and hiit 2 times per week, which includes press ups etc plus cardio. I’m not a massive fan of exercise but I feel 10 times better than a year ago when I did very little, I ache less too and sleep better. I really enjoy running (found this out in the first lock down), but my piriformis muscle plays up.

Like Emmastone above I wear a fitness watch and obey its commands! Emma does yours recommend different exercises?

Me, I don't want to spend my sixties and seventies with obesity related illnesses. I do 3 x 30 minute classes a week and 3 runs a week currently at 49.

Why "not counting walking"?

I run every day. I got really into getting a run streak and now don’t want to break it! I do genuinely enjoy it 99% of the time.
I do it cause it really like beer and don’t want to get fat.

I do yoga daily. It used to be just a couple of times a week, but I developed arthritis when I was quite young (about 34).

I started for mental health, and continued because I want to be strong and flexible, plus the mental health benefits.

Why are you discounting walking as exercise, OP? It’s an excellent all-round exercise. I walk a lot and run a few times a week (ahem, on a good week!). I’m highly invested in staying fit in later life as both parents suffered hugely due to sedentary lifestyles.