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.

@Gwenhwyfar

"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’m just 45 and have also noticed this. I’ve always been very strong, but suddenly found I’m struggling to carry small children any distance. This is partly because they are getting bigger, but also because I’m losing strength & fitness & im slowly starting to take action. I’ve done very little over xmas etc & feel I’ve deconditioned much much faster than I used to.

@Craftycorvid

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.

walking is merely functioning, it doesn't qualify as exercise until you genuinely walk very briskly for a few hours at a time.

I used to walk a couple of hours a day when 9 months pregnant, that definitively was not exercise.

It's showing how unfit and unhealthy most of us are, if we need to include normal "steps" done during the day as exercise, and the couple of hours walking that are barely enough to function.

I run 5k every other day, for the last year. I will be 40 this year and I wanted to give myself a good chance if I catch covid.
I can't imagine stopping running now, it keeps me sane, I feel fitter, hardly any aches and pains any more, and it's my only me time.

It’s showing how unfit and unhealthy most of us are, if we need to include normal "steps" done during the day as exercise, and the couple of hours walking that are barely enough to function.

Completely agree. You see this all the time on weight loss threads where people count their normal movements of walks to the train station etc as exercise.

I wouldn't knock walking too much - I definitely noticed the difference when lockdown started and I was doing a lot less walking (previously clocking up about 90 mins a day). This was why I ended up taking up running in lockdown, which is of course making me much fitter. I guess you could say that walking alone isn't going to make you healthy but not walking is a fairly rapid route to be unhealthy.

@ShirleyPhallus

It’s showing how unfit and unhealthy most of us are, if we need to include normal "steps" done during the day as exercise, and the couple of hours walking that are barely enough to function.

Completely agree. You see this all the time on weight loss threads where people count their normal movements of walks to the train station etc as exercise.

I agree with this. I've always considered 10,000 steps (which is obviously an arbitrary target) to be the standard level of activity that we're supposed to do just going about our daily lives. I view exercise as being over and above this - that might include a brisk walk or run but it would be separate to the 10,000 steps IYSWIM. Walking is great, I'm a big fan, but I don't think that getting 10,000 steps a day necessarily means you're 'fit' at all.

Completely agree. I don’t count walking as part of my exercise. So the school run is normally a mile, then a dog walk 4 miles. But that’s just walking around. I’ll add more on top of that so a run or strength training.

@FusionChefGeoff

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.

Yep, that's me. And all this feedback has brought me to the decision that I will try and find an online workout I enjoy and start from there. No weights for Now . Maybe something dance based as I like dancing. It's not much but it's a start...

@Authenticcelestialmusic

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?

@Authenticcelestialmusic No, my watch doesn't suggest specific exercises to do, although it does link to Apple Fitness+ which is quite a cool function. It seems to want me to listen to special walking podcasts it's curated, but I prefer to choose my own!

I've just started regularly exercising, age 50. I've always been a bit of a slob and hate the gym but I realised I was setting myself up for a hideous old age. Started doing 20 mins of hiit 3 times a week. Can feel some muscles already and have felt an improvement in general fitness. And can do it in my dining room!

43 and yes these days I exercise largely for mental well-being and to avoid early decrepitude. Even dabbling in yoga (which I’ve always disliked) in a bid to fend off the creaks. The old people I know who are faring well in their 70s and 80s are generally the ones who’ve looked after their bodies (leaving serious illness out of the equation)

I'm 50+ and this is one of the main reasons I exercise 4-5 times a week (plus walking). I see my DM and MIL creeping around, complaining about how stiff they are, afraid of falling, walking super slowly upstairs, barely able to walk around the block and then I see other older women who are still super active, travelling regularly, going for long walks, playing on the floor with their grandchildren and I think which type I would rather be...

And no surprise that my DM and MIL do no exercise at all, and both are overweight.

I am lucky though as I really enjoy exercise, and I have time to do it now that my children are older.

I started running in my 40’s prompted by just how many of my family had died young from cancer. I wanted to be as fit as possible to give myself a fighting chance if I was diagnosed.

Since then I’ve joined parkrun and a running club and I run as much for my mental as physical health 😊

I don’t count walking in the daily exercise but definitely miss the 6k which was part of my regular commute.

Yes, I’m 50 and DM has osteoporosis and Type 2 Diabetes.

For those that dislike yoga (I could never get on with it) I much prefer Pilates. It’s not all about being really flexible but being strong and building good core strength. It completely sorted my back out after I knackered it doing yoga!

Also used to get loads of running injuries and have been injury free for two years now despite a high weekly mileage.

Yes. It's pretty much the only reason I do it as I'm never going to be in great shape but I recently learned how resistance work (rowing machine - not blowing up German convoys) benefits bones etc. etc. etc.

I also do an online class three times a week which is designed for people with chronic illness. I do have that but am actually still quite fit and want to keep it that way. But it's a nice class and brings up the warmth and heart rate. I would (in normal times) go to more classes but I absolutely cannot stand the music they play. It makes me angry.
I'm not ready for "paracise" yet. All exercise classes should be done to Jerusalema in my book .

Maybe something dance based as I like dancing. It's not much but it's a start...

Dance exercise classes are a great gateway drug into other forms of exercise. I've forced myself through C25K so many times but never ever EVER enjoyed it - whereas I joined the local gym for the Zumba class and (before lockdown) ended up going nearly every day for something or other. Zumba, or Body Balance, or Hooping, even spin. It's about getting over the initial 'this isn't me' feeling.

Also used to get loads of running injuries and have been injury free for two years now despite a high weekly mileage
I'm wondering what you think of as high 🤔 I used to have a 40 + miles a week 'habit' and I was constantly battling the injuries🙄🤦🏼‍♀️

@oil0W0lio not that high! So about 30 miles. But since all niggly injuries have resolved (which I used to get at a lower volume). I feel happy to push that up a bit now.

I walk the dog for an hour and a half every day. According to my fitness watch around a third of that is high intensity (hilly area in the countryside). Some of it is really low intensity when I'm waiting for the dog to lose interest in whatever he's sniffing. I can understand walking at a normal pace, not getting out of breath or breaking a sweat, doesn't count for much apart from step total. But, the older people that I know who are still very active and physically able, have never done hiit or weights or running or whatever, they are walkers.

I started a HIIT workout session in lockdown which I feel is at the right level for me. I genuinely enjoy it, can see and feel the benefits both mentally and physically. Its given me confidence and a real lust for life which is amazing! I do it 4 nights a week (30 mins) but might struggle once lockdown's over. I really want to continue to exercise if I can as I age.

I'm 30, run 3 times a week for 30-45mins. I walk to and will swim when allowed.

Most of the people in my life tell me I'm just doing myself damage and my knees will give way by the time I'm 50. I guess their inability to run for more then 5mins is actually them looking after their future self?

Before walking I attended the gym four times a week for two hours a time ( boxing, spinning)
Since lockdown, I speed walk most days for one hour
The strange thing is that I have actually lost more weight by walking than I ever did with any other form of exercise

I am toned, trim and don’t get hungry as much as I did before

Walking is a truly underrated activity.