No motivation for exercise in my 50s

[Coldlife]

I am in my 50s now and I want to keep myself fit and healthy (could do with losing half a stone too.)

I have found it really hard to get back into an exercise routine after the last couple of years. I go for walks occasionally with a friend and I do an online 15-20 minutes workout every day but that’s all I can manage. I get so bored and I make lots of excuses.

I am confined to the house in the evenings (single parent) and I am not ready to join a gym (too expensive for the amount I would use it.)

Any tips for someone fairly inactive and how do you motivate yourself when you can’t be bothered?

I am stuck in the house most days too and as I reached 50 and lockdown I gained weight and have found it difficult to shift.

I joined a instagram based program called sort your fit out run by Richie Swan and his team. He did free live work outs during lockdown initially. I spend £60 for an 8 week online course. There are live workouts which I prefer as they really motivate you, there is also weights workouts, body weight, abs glutes, yoga and pilates. They all are available on catch up. I lost 2 stone in the past year and I am now fitter than my kids. Best thing i have done and all from the comfort of my own home. There are other similar type instagram courses which are cheaper but I like Richie and his team as he motivates, helps you understand calorie deficit, has recipes available and various other things. There is a facebook group for all of us and it is a great place for top tips and motivation.

Change up your workouts to increase fitness and relieve boredom. Add gentle yoga in the evening to unwind and improve flexibility and balance (so important as we age to prevent falls).

Walking! Meet friends and walk more. Also walk to the school, shops, for errands. Walking 5 miles a day makes a massive difference and combined with 20 minutes of Pilates will help someone in their 50s

I got rid of my car, and walk everywhere but I am in London so not possible for everyone. I hate exercise but love walking with a podcast.

I need to do all those things! I am far more motivated in a class, I definitely need to do different types of workouts and I enjoy walking with a friend.

I mix things up - cycle to work and lots of walking mainly. I joined Strava so that I can set targets for the year and it tells you how close you are re progress - mine is to do 2000 miles under my own steam - either walking, fell walking, running or cycling. I also did a really good navigation course so that so can spot al these little nerdy details when I’m walking, and read up on micro local history using amateur historical society stuff, OS maps and old online maps - I’m in the ‘burbs but discovered where an old jam factory was, what each of the old mills made, and that there was an isolation hospital and a POW camp less than 500m from my front door. I’ve also explored my local Public Rights of Way.

God that makes me sound like a total nerd 😂😂😂

30 minutes 5 times a week (brisk walking) is recommended. I don't even consider doing more than that unless I am out and about or abroad. Boring I know, but I have three routes and rotate them. I listen to books or a good podcast and it's over before I know it. I have to poke myself in the arse to get up off the chair though, so I feel your pain!

My DH is a good few years older than me. Ran marathons, was a body builder (ugh) gym bunny etc. Needed to be fit for his job. He is knackered now with two replacement knees and a hip replacement coming up. Punishing yourself is not worth it. There are other ways.

No need to kill yourself. That's a myth.

I find the more I do, the more I want to do. I mix things up too like a PP. So as an example, I went for a run at lunchtime today (WFH), and off to a yoga class this evening (I'm going to the class, but there is an online option too). I've started a weights 4 weeks challenge, which is 3 times a week, but only for 15 mins a time. I'll do one tomorrow, and another on Thursday, and the last one at the weekend.
I try to walk either before work or during lunch when in the office, even if only 20 mins - it really helps clear my head, and I usually listen to podcasts. I've just started a weekly boot camp class with a friend, so hoping that continues. And I see a PT fortnightly - TBH if I wasn't seeing him, I probably wouldn't exercise so regularly, but if I don't, it REALLY hurts and is a waste of both our time and my money. I also walk with friends, usually at the weekend, and I have a Peloton digital subscription (treadmill and spin bike in garage) which is £12 a month - I'll sometimes jump on the bike, or do a running workout (and this is who I'm doing my weights challenge with).

I've also got an Apple Watch which helps nudge me into doing something as I've a slave to closing my rings .