AIBU to think the pressure for ‘older’ women to exercise is wrong?

[StitchInLime]

So as a woman in my late 40s, I keep getting told (via ads, from some people in my life, via tv and so on) that I need to do strength exercises and cardio if I don’t want to suffer later in life. And yet, it’s the woman I know who did f-all exercise at my age and before who seem to be thriving in their 60s/70s (eg my aunts) and the ones who did more exercise at my age now have issues with knees, hips etc. I find it difficult to find the motivation in light of this. If you have opposite examples, please share as I really need to motivate myself!

Well, as with all these things, it’s a question of moderation. I don’t think there’s any doubt that being inactive is bad for you: numerous research studies tell us that. But exercise comes in all shapes and sizes. I think you’d be a fool to look at a few people, come up with a conclusion which contradicts the science and then spend the rest of your 40s on your arse.

Exercise is good for everyone's health. Older women aren't targeted any more than anyone else, though social media algorithms might make you think that, as you are in that demographic! Load-bearing exercise is supposed to be good for preventing osteoporosis though, so that's why particular types of exercise are good for older women.

Anyway... why is it 'wrong'? The fact that some women might have wear and tear problems in their 60s and 70s doesn't mean that all exercise causes that, and it doesn't negate the other benefits. I'm 52 and really struggling to find time for exercise atm. I'm really feeling the lack of it tbh.

There's a middle ground - surely that's obvious.

Staying fit & active is essential for long term health, however you do it (so the walking you & your aunts do is great).

For bone health & stability (ie avoiding falls when older) some form of strength training is important. That can take many forms, including body weight exercises or light weights.

It's true that you have to be more mindful of joints as you get older - in my 40s, stretching is imperative (where it was less so before) and I rarely run on consecutive days.

You have a strange idea of what's meant by long-term physical fitness & staying well.

If you don't work on core, flexibility & stability consistently, in your 70s and beyond you increase the risks of falls & increased injury when that happens.

I think yoga (proper yoga, not just gentle stretching), pirates, strength shift to be the focus the older you get

I'm signing up for pirates 😂

I think you're deluding yourself if you think a small group of anecdata about some lucky women you know who happen to have bucked the trend proves anything.

There's loads of evidence that exercise is beneficial for almost every element of your health as you age: keeps weight down (which in turn helps protect against diabetes and heart problems), supports joints and muscles which protects against pain, supports bone health and there's increasing evidence that it plays a supportive role in helping manage the worst effects of the menopause, keeping depression at bay and even staving off dementia.

I mean no one is forcing you to exercise if you don't want to... it's a free country. But don' tkid yourself that you're helping your health by avoiding it.

Jogging is fine when you are older! Just look at the number of older men and women at a park run on a Saturday morning. There is a 60 year old woman at my gym who is smashing me at spinning every week. Why should women just be walking sedately or doing a bit of gentle Zumba as they get older?

Nothing wrong with encouraging people to exercise. It’s nothing to do with looking good and everything to do with bone strength, heart fitness and well being.

I went to visit friends a few years older than me in their mid 50s recently. Not seen them for five years. They have have never exercised or been active. I was really shocked when I saw them. They are noticeably starting to move like stiff, old people.

SIl is similar and overweight. Her knees are fucked, she acknowledges due to her weight.

But you don’t need anecdote. The data is clear that people who stay active stay in better health physically and maintain better cognitive function.

Doing ‘chore’ exercise is not the only way, but I think you do need to be realistic about how active your active lifestyle really is.

Sure @DontBeGrossTammy, they might potentially look better but what about beyond how they look?! This is where I struggle. Like, is the pressure just so we can continue looking good in the way society expects? Is that what this is really about? Surface.

(Btw, I’m not suggesting my aunts don’t do any exercise, they are walkers so walk each day as am I. But no strength training etc)

'Beyond how they look' includes things like cardiovascular health and mental health, both of which are improved by exercise. Looks are the least important reason to exercise.

Your aunts are doing the best kind of exercise then. Brisk walking is great for your health. Yes, weights are good too, but not compulsory.

Four things matter to me fitness-wise as I get older:

• strong bones. Weights reduce the possibility of osteoporosis
• flexibility - I want to be able to bend and stretch with ease
• core strength - apart from anything else, it gives good bladder control
• mobility - I like to be able to spring up from a sofa, or join a 10 mile hike without fuss.

None of these would be possible for me without some focus on exercise.

There’s nothing wrong with exercise.

But we live in a state where political rhetoric is increasingly geared to blaming citizens for any disease or illness / incapacity we develop. Making it easier to gradually withdraw free treatment from the ‘undeserving’.

And secondly, the fitness industry is a booming part of a capitalist system. Just look at how much we are encouraged to spend, on gym memberships, exercise clothes and equipment, books, etc, etc …

None of this exhortation is innocuous or purely altruistic.

There is an absolute ton of evidence supporting the long term benefits of exercise. Resistance in particular.

I do agree ads are stressful. You feel your constantly being told to do more of everything better.

But I wouldn't pick out exercising for older women. Evidence shows its beneficial. Of course anecdotally you might know those who are thriving without exercise. I know smokers who got pregnant quickly but I wouldnt say smoking improves fertility.

And much better than McDonald's ads. And for all of them take it or leave it.

1/4 of the adult population are classed as physically inactive: https://www.sportengland.org/news/adults-activity-levels-england-bounce-back-pre-pandemic-levels

so whatever the ‘pressure’, plenty are ignoring it. Which you are free to as well.

Physical activity is so effective at protecting against poor health that if it was a pill every doctor would prescribe it. It can protect against osteoporosis, heart disease, musculoskeletal disease, cancer, depression, dementia. And it reduces social isolation. And it doesn’t have to mean lifting weights or running. Walking, carrying shopping, yoga, gardening , swimming all count. I’m mid 40s and don’t do any high impact exercise because of dodgy pelvic floor.

They look incredible because they are toned, fit, active and healthy, not because they meet some arbitrary beauty standard. I think older people with high levels of fitness are incredible and they look it. Nothing wrong with saying that.

When I said they look incredible, I meant they look healthy. Glowing skin, good posture, easy movement etc.

She does yoga twice a week. And is incredibly fit. It might be her genes but her lifestyle has helped.

Joints wear out with over use that is true, my dad is in his mid seventies and after a lifetime of a very active job (farming) he is still fit and strong but had to have a hip replacement in his late sixties - the ball and joint wore out through over use.

But that is from a lifetime of daily lifting staw bales, carrying sacks of feed, shoveling grain and walking miles and miles. The same happens to dancers and elite athletes.

Starting some strength training your forties isn't quite the same level of wear and tear.

I'm 62 and have rheumatoid arthritis. Yes I'm on medication (I wouldn't be able to move at all otherwise) but have found regular yoga and pilates classes over the past few years have really improved my balance, core strength and flexibility. The classes are aimed at older people and I'm fine with that. I can't walk more than 2-3 miles or so in one go, but love my electric bike, and being outside also helps my mood. The benefits of exercise are not just physical.

There is overwhelming evidence that strength and cardio exercise in your 40s and beyond is hugely beneficial. Your argument that other older women who did no exercise are thriving is up there with my nan smoked 80 a day and lived to be 100.

I’m 62, I go to the gym where I use the rowing machine, lats machine, chest press,adductor/abductor and leg press and also swim. I really do not look “incredible” though. I feel better in myself which is what counts.

I put on weight and went from a 10 to an 18 in the period of a year after stopping smoking, I also stopped the gym in that period. I noticed that when I got up in the morning my ankles were sore and stiff.

ive lost the weight this year, now at the 12 bracket, and exercise 4/5 times a week, mixing up cardio and strength on alternate days and my ankles no longer hurt and I breathe easier.

weight, muscle mass , fitness are all key as we age.

The evidence that exercise is good for you and protective of your health in later life is indisputable, you can’t base a counter argument on 3 aunts.

You do need to be careful of your joints, so don’t run or do high impact cardio. Do weights for your bones and muscles, some kind of low impact cardio like walking/swimming/dance etc, and something for flexibility like gentle yoga.

Start with one - whichever appeals most

I think it depends - I have a high family history of osteoporosis so am starting weight training. Can't say it thrills me but I can see the potential future and would like to avoid.

I saw lots of people with all weights, fitness and ages walking when I was in Germany so I think the mentality of not being sedentary as opposed to blasting it in the gym is the way for me.

I think Pilates would be ideal as you age. Throwing yourself about us a bad idea. Being led by a young male instructor to throw yourself about - even worse.