50+ what exercise do you do?

[Floofydawg]

Inspired by a thread on AIBU, I'd like to understand from fellow over 50's what exercise they do. Interested to see if my activity is above average and whether I should be doing other stuff. I tend to gravitate towards what I enjoy more as that means I'll keep up with it. Conscious I should probably do some weight training but I find it boring. So here's what I do in a typical week.

At least two swims of at least 1k
2-3 45 minute spin classes, one of which is followed by a slightly shorter swim
A 30 minute dog walk most days

I have a gym membership so could do anything - lots of classes available.

What do you do?

I'm 47, two teenage DDs, work FT, do 3 x gym sessions a week (Monday, Wednesday, at lunch time when I WFH and one at the weekend, mixture of weights and cardio). Plus two yoga classes a week in the evening.

I try to build in walking in my commute and I give the dog a decent walk five days a week when I'm at home. When the weather is milder I may build in a run as well - my lungs really don't like the cold air at this time of year. Not quite fifty but I would hope to still be doing this then.

"People doing a lot of those activities should not have low step counts at end of the day."

That's not enough though is it, we need to really get our heart rates up sometimes.

I'm sceptical about all housework and childcare of older children being good exercise as well, seeing as housewives are known for having weight problems.

As I mentioned before, wfh has been good for some people who want to 'exercise' as a thing e.g. they can leave the house at 5 or 5.30 to go on their bike/run or whatever rather than waiting till they're home from work and it's dark, BUT for people who prefer to be active as part of their daily life wfh has been terrible as you can easily do hardly any steps, not even much of a walk to the toilet or the kettle.
Social interaction is also important for health and wellbeing, which is another plus for going to the workplace.

huge difference in my ability to fit it in now I'm 53, no dependent children and working from home than when I was 33

Threat title specifically says women age 50+. Mind, at age 33 my main form of exercise was buggy pushing walks.

Maybe instead of talking about steps people should talk about hours with at least 250 steps. Because sedentaryness is a risk factor for bad outcomes independent from low aerobic minutes or low step counts, etc.

My 80yo step-mum has tried to stand for most socialising in last 20 years. It seems odd, but that's what she does, when everyone else is sitting to chat, she stands. I hadn't thought about it, but of course that's good for her. She is in very good health, on no meds at all except a small dose of HRT. How many of us could attend WFH meetings or in person meetings while standing? How many could do work chats (in person workplace) while standing or even going for a walk. These things are possible, to reduce our sedentary minutes.

A lot of people who fit it in simply have more time

no, that's not the case. It's just that they prioritise it over other things. I've always worked full time and had a large family and for the last 10 years have been a lone parent. But I've just prioritised exercise - so when I was in an office, I ran before work, went to the gym at lunchtime or ran home from work. (or cycled both ways). I always did 2 workouts at weekends.

Running is the easiest thing to fit in as you don't have to make an effort to go somewhere. I can't do it now and do have to make more effort. But I still go to a gym, do yoga classes and do Caroline Girvan work outs. I have checked my diary this week already to see when I can go to the gym and which yoga classes I can make. I do CG every day at the same time so it's part of my routine. I very rarely exercise after dinner as I'm too tired by by then.

When I had a newborn and I was a single parent, I got back into shape by doing Jillian Michaels at home.

For me wfh has made exercise even more accessible.
I don't have to think about packing a bag to take to the office, I can sit in my post run/bike kit with a cuppa and then shower a bit later.
I can eat/drink/stretch when I like. I can change my exercise plans on a whim.
e.g. I might want to go for a bike ride, then it rains so instead I go for a run.

Obviously the main thing is that I've re-claimed the commuting time.

I don't get the steps from going to the car, parking, walking to the office, fannying around getting tea, trips to the loo or other rooms in the building, but they don't really contribute much to your physical health, do they.

Im on chemo for life every 21 days. Its targeted so not too bad. Excercise in moderation really helps the fatigue and gives me the oomph I need to carry on. I do
5 to 7k steps a day most days.
If its cold I go to the gym and do 25mins on the recliner bike
I do leg lifts and leg curls at 15k max x 10 sets 3x week most weeks or 2x week if Im ropey.
I walk around inside the pool for an hour.
Thats it. I get the benefits without exhausting myself.

"I don't get the steps from going to the car, parking, walking to the office, fannying around getting tea, trips to the loo or other rooms in the building, but they don't really contribute much to your physical health, do they."

Yes, they do for someone who doesn't do all the planned exercise you do.
As I mentioned I went from 16k steps on a busy day at work (maybe around 12k on quiet days) to 2k steps wfh. I think that must have an effect on health.
Obviously, for you it's different as you have the motivation to do real exercise regularly, but for some other people being active day to day is easier.

"when everyone else is sitting to chat, she stands."

Good for her, but must be so annoying for everyone else. It's not relaxing at all sitting down and having someone stand next to you.

"How many of us could attend WFH meetings or in person meetings while standing?"

Where do you put the laptop? I've thought about the ironing board, but not sure it's ergonomic.

As for in person meetings standing, I'd say that's quite unfair on the other person/people who would then be forced to stand or walk themselves.

My job has no meetings not sure if that's a good or bad thing. I just answer the phone all day. The minute I stand up and try to stretch, the phone goes again
Just finished a 30 min spin class then another 10 mins cycling to cool down, says I did 10 miles so happy with that

Fair point and I take on board that WFH impacts people in different ways.

I've been wfh for years and it was something I very much wanted to do.
I imagine there will be far more negative opinions on wfh for those it has been forced upon due to covid. And I include those who actually wfh and those who are now sharing their sah life with a wfh partner (e.g. SAHPs who now find their partner there all the time in less then ideal working conditions).

"How many of us could attend WFH meetings or in person meetings while standing?"

Where do you put the laptop?

It's often doable if you are not presenting or taking minutes, instead in one of a zillion meetings where you only watch & listen & make a few comments (at most). That poor woman who disappeared at river bank, she managed her meetings while on a dog walk, didn't she. So I know it's not just me who gets the joys of plenty of those don't-actively-do-much meetings.

ps: I'm used to stepmum standing when most of us sit. When you're used to it, it's not a problem. She stands at back out of the way for watching TV, too. She's rather short, so not like she towers over anyone.

I' ve had colleagues propose workchat walking meetings, because they knew we both liked walking. Impractical if you need to make notes, but if you're just discussing strategy issues, can be great.

As I said, when I worked from home it was under 2k a day.

I got to 1800 steps the other morning by 8:10am, I had been out of bed for ~4 hours (insomnia), but also sat at desk working for ~3 hours of that.

Anyway, I hope everyone finds the activity levels they want. As little or as much.

ahem, where did I say that??

Hello all, just seen this thread - not tried to read it all yet, hope you don't mind me diving in.

I'm 62, currently my exercise is walking plus one Pilates class a week. I'm wanting to get stronger so I've just made a thread asking for advice on how to start with Caroline Girvan, having seen so many positive posts. Hopefully this may be useful to others too.

Wanting to get stronger - thinking of trying Caroline Girvan www.mumsnet.com/Talk/exercise/4737459-wanting-to-get-stronger-thinking-of-trying-caroline-girvan