Becoming stronger for old age.

[Sleeplessinseattle234]

I have seen a few messages on here about making sure you are strong for when you are elderly. I have never thought about this. And am wondering if people on here think about this and what they do about it.

I am currently on the way to loosing a lot of weight and I will be 48 this year. And have a lot of medical problems which makes some types of exercise harder than others.

Wondering if anyone on here has tip or links to something that I can start thinking about.

My grandma and my mum are not fit and are overweight. And I really don’t want to fall into this.

Yep. I'm in my early 40s and the importance of this has recently dawned on me. So I've joined a gym and am gradually building up my strength, flexibility, balance and endurance - with some helpful tips about routine from MN! I want to be able to keep up with my DC and stay as fit as (reasonably) possible as i progress through middle age...

Pilates and yoga!

Balance is also so important

Weight bearing exercise is the best exercise as it strengthens your bones

I am really trying to work on it

I have always had robust health, but a few worrying blips in my 40s.

Weightlifting is good for bones and muscle and core strength. Your basic walking for cardio. Nordic walking if you want more . Yoga for flexibility. Pilates for core strength. Swimming is good all round.

something you enjoy (or at least don’t hate) is what you want - the best exercise is the one you will do

Yes I've been thinking the same. I'm in my fifties and recently started at the gym doing a weights class to build up muscle which desperately needs toning up! Also going to do yoga as a pp said.

Swimming would be good too if I have time!

I'd never really thought about it until recently but it's a really sensible idea.

I do yoga which I love, only started recently and do it at home with the Down Dog app. It's so accessible.

I do body pump for weights and some core and balance stuff

Have a look at Fitness with Joan on Instagram - she took up weight training in her 70s. She’s a real inspiration.

You are at a good age to establish good habits, @Sleeplessinseattle234 !

Walking swimming, cycling - anything that enhances general fitness is all good.

Cardio helps with the above but can be boring. Try Growingannanas - the lovely Anna has loads of programs, from 12-minute tabata to serious weight-based workouts.

Any kind of exercise, even walking, is easier if you have a strong core, which means abs workouts and planks. Suggestions: Rebecca Louise's Best Abs, Caroline Girvan's Braced Core & Abs, and the Bowflex 3-minute plank.

The importance of weight-bearing exercise has already been mentioned, and this. Is so, so important. You need a pair of 3-5kg dumbbells (dependingon current strength/fitness) and a mat. Plus Caroline Girvan - look her up. Life-changing!

(NB: I started all this 4 years ago. I'm nearly 70 and fitter than in my 40s. I WISH I'd started this many years ago. But it's never too late!!)

I have got a gym membership and spent some time on different classes. I'm too inflexible for yoga and there were no beginners classes. I found my people with aqua fit classes and can do this 4 times a week. I love it and look forward to going which is a first for me.

Enjoying what you do is important.