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 hate exercise (apart from swimming) and lockdown has taken its toll. Have tried and failed at so many classes but now have been doing the Deron Bloom "Bloom Young" workouts on line and seem to be sticking to them. they are short enough for me not to lose interest, or collapse, at about 20 minutes. You can do cardio, core, strength etc and mix and match. I'm 57 and try and do one a day. Been at it for a month and seeing a difference

'You'll damage your knees'!!
is what people who don't exercise say to runners in order to make themselves feel better about not exercising
Over doing the running (or neglecting strength training) may cause damage to your knees but knees can be replaced..... unlike the fubar'd cardiovascular system of the sedentary

During the first lockdown, all my kids could do was walk or cycle, and we did LOADS of that. It was obvious they lost stamina and fitness compared to real sport. And I am talking about kids, who do run ,climb trees, catch up with adults walking at a fairly fast pace!

“You’ll damage your knees”

Ten years ago I was struggling, and discussing knee replacements.

Then I started exercise and ensured I took absolute care on form and bought good trainers for running. Now I can do rear lunges , squats etc. My knees still twinge a bit but through strengthening the support muscles and tendons, I am now in a position where knee replacements are no longer being discussed. My GP was very interested in the exercises that I felt helped most (squats and anything that involves balancing on one leg) as she was surprised at the difference over the years. It has taken time, rear lunges only happened the last six months, but it was worth it.

Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t !

I'm not saying this is amazeballs, but I still believe today's brisk 1 hour walk had some health benefits. Even if it just put 375 kcal between me & obesity. Better than doing nothing all day.

@lljkk

I'm not saying this is amazeballs, but I still believe today's brisk 1 hour walk had some health benefits. Even if it just put 375 kcal between me & obesity. Better than doing nothing all day.

There is a huge difference between this, an hour and a half’s brisk walk, and then counting a slow walk to the train station as exercise though.

I’m a huge fan of walking and think LISS has its place and benefits. Just that people shouldn’t count their general day to day movement as exercise in a weight loss environment

too cold to walk anything but briskly... tbf, a lot of people walk V e r y S l o w l y.

Being sedentary itself is a separate risk factor for poor health... so actually, the slow walking is truly beneficial because it reduces sedentary time.

Yes, more for that than for vanity reasons now. My mother is in terrible health now and that started in her late 50’s due to poor lifestyle, she pretty much lost all mobility in her early 60’s and it was all preventable. It breaks my heart and enrages me in equal measure. My grandmother has terrible health too, though hers was largely the result of a hard life. It spurs me on keep a healthy lifestyle with an eye on prevention of problems in the future. Consequently, I don’t smoke, I drink alcohol very much in moderation, try to avoid unnecessary stress (though obvs there are limits) and exercise regularly, including at least 1.5hrs hillwalking with the dog every day. I’m not super-fit or super slim or whatever but that’s not my aim.

Grandmother HAD terrible health. She’s long gone.

I’m not going to lie, 95% of the reason I go to the gym is to look good for my age.

However I look at older women (I’m mid 40’s) with saggy arms and spongy middles and I don’t want to be like that. I want to be as strong as I can when I’m 20 years older and not get out of breath walking or have problems with my joints.

My dad is 72 and runs 10k on the treadmill 3 times a week in addition to gardening, walking and looking after the grandkids. My mum is more sedentary and you can definitely tell the different between the two of them although they’re the same age.

While the gyms are shut, I’m doing HIIT workouts/running/power walking every day and although isn’t the same as being in the gym 4-5 times a week with the machines, is definitely keeping things going until April. God, roll on 12 April

Yep, I do Les Mills on Demand at least 5 x a week.

I'm mid 30's and I do it because I enjoy it and to ward off type 2 diabetes that has killed several of my relatives on one side of the family, and to ward off hereditary heart disease which is on the other side of my family.

@lljkk

I'm not saying this is amazeballs, but I still believe today's brisk 1 hour walk had some health benefits. Even if it just put 375 kcal between me & obesity. Better than doing nothing all day.

Absolutely!

When I walk, it's only slightly slower than when I run - I do 5k in 40 mins. When I run it takes me 45 mins but I have more of a mental block about going out on a run!

I have friends who go out for a walk and don't break a sweat. That's an amble and will not get your heart going, you might as well mosey round the supermarket at that pace.

For the past 5 years or so I’ve done yoga about 2 to 3 times a week and I’ve always (say from my 30s) walked briskly pretty much every day for an hour or so. I’m 52 and would be happy to post a photo to show people what that kind of exercise can achieve. I do it to keep fit and also to ensure that I’m strong and flexible both of which I think are key to ageing well.

I do a brisk walk every day except in really unpleasant weather, about 7 miles a day early morning or straight after work. Spring and Summer I'm on my bike. I've always enjoyed physical exercise but now it's as much about being out and enjoying the air and the environment as the undoubted physical health benefits.

Walking counts, toward physical health whether you believe it does or not. I'm 61. And I'm fit.

I totally agree about the "use it or loose it"

Walking is great exercise for the body & mind, you never know what you will see !

Gardening is also excellent exercise which can include heavy lifting & flexibility