If you are in your 60s and 70s and used to exercise, are you better off that people your age that don’t do as much?

[Londonder]

Just curious as I don’t know anyone who is 60+ and used to working out regularly. I‘d like to hear how working out regularly throughout life is helping you being in good shape at this stage of your life. And what do you do?
My parents led a very sedentary life and now that they are in their late 70s they are not able to do much, even a 20 min walk is difficult to manage. I want to do my best to avoid that.

I can see that my 80 year old neighbour who still mows her lawn, and my mum’s mid 70s neighbours who do a lot of walking are in a much better state than my mid 70s mum who disapproves of walking.

Following with interest. I want to be active but my idea of relaxing is hunkering down on the sofa. Both parents still pretty fit and active - one late 60s one early 70s, with one being much more active than the other in terms of exercise when younger, but both were always on the go.

Also following with interest.

My mum is 75 and has always been super active - she still walks miles every day and has loads of energy. Compared to my in laws of the same age who have always been quite sedentary and now can’t walk far and tire out easily. But otherwise in good health.

My DPs are early 70s. They've both always been fairly active and both have had a personal trainer for the last 10(?) years. My dad has had two knee replacements but otherwise, they definitely look much fitter than a lot of their peers. A few of their friends have really started to shuffle rather than walk, for example, or are hunched over whereas my DPs are striding around everywhere and look much younger than they are. I think it's made a huge difference.

My friend’s yoga teacher is in her 80s.

I am a year off 60, and am in great shape.
I have had an active lifestyle, playing sport in teams at school, and Uni. Cycling everywhere as a young woman in my 20s til I could afford a car.
Skiing holidays, walking holidays where 10 to 12 miles a day is normal, Hardly ever have a whole day sitting by a pool or on a beach on holiday
Have also done exercise classes since being a student, and have done aerobics, spinning and added yoga and Pilates in the last 10 years. Needed to do 2 classes a week to make belonging to the gym worth it.

Just back from a week hiking and did 11 miles one day, and 6 to 8 the others.

Will be booking skiing for Next winter soon.

Also garden a lot.

I have a normal BMI, very low blood pressure, and the only medication I am on is HRT and antihistamines for hayfever.

I feel strong and fit and about the same as I did in my mid 40s.

So yes, a daily walk of 40 mins and a daily Pilates 20 mins and some gardening, and active holidays is setting me up for an active retirement

My lovely great aunt is still living independently at 99. All her many brothers and sisters died decades ago - mostly after many years of ill health. We attribute her extraordinary perkiness to a lifetime of Scottish Country Dancing.

Absolutely. I cycle with a club - the oldest member still regularly cycling is in his 90s. We have members who are 70+ who happily cycle 30-70 miles and I'm regularly surprised at how old some of the group are.

I think staying active is one of the biggest things you can do to keep yourself healthy and happy.

My DM is 90 and is in very good shape, has always been active and although slowing down a little now still goes to yoga once a week. My DF died aged 90 but was regularly playing tennis, walking and swimming until he slowed down about six months before he died.

Unfortunately I haven't inherited their enthusiasm for exercise but mid 60s with no serious health worries apart from being overweight.

My mother (80s) walks a lot and is in a much better state than many of her friends

My auntie is also pretty good state - but then i remember she does keep fit and tai chi with my mam

My Mum is almost 70 and is very fit and active - she plays tennis, Pilates, cycles, swims in the sea and looks and feels great.

My Dad was similarly active a decade ago but 2 bouts of cancer and a stroke have taken their toll and he looks a shadow of his former self.

Ill health is a bugger.

I'm 61 and still running up escalators with the youngsters , very flexible too and able to do the splits. I'm no less fit than I ever was . The only difference is that I'm tired at the end of the day.

I am 65 and fit and active (gym classes, swimming, mountain walking etc)

I have been in and out of fitness through the years. I was unfit and 3 stone over weight a couple of years ago, took a hold of myself, started doing proper exercise, my stamina, strength, body shape and health have all improved a lot. And I am still getting fitter, more flexible and building more muscle. It helps against the flattening and sagging of everything.

DH & I are 60s - run 5kms midweek and Parkrun at weekends. Cycle with club twice a week as well - 40kms midweek and 100km on Sundays. Owe it to ourselves to keep fit and healthy. Seems so many of friends our age, or even younger, are beset with health problems and many of them due to their sedentary lifestyles. Many of the people weeet at Parkruns and cycles are similiar age

I had a yoga teacher for years who seemed old when I was in my early 30s and eventually retired 20 years later. I would guess she was in her 80s when she retired. She was a fantastic, very knowledgeable teacher and was so flexible and such a strong core that she carried herself like a much younger woman. So, yes, yoga makes a massive difference.

I am in my 60s and pretty fit. I swim every day, run 3 times a week and do dance classes. I went to see Sting last night, he's 71. He looks fantastic. He looked better than hid son who was also on stage.

I’m 70 and fit and active - however the aches and pains I have are somewhat activity related, knackered knees, a dodgy back and currently a shoulder strain that’s painful and limiting. I’m sure it’s better to exercise, but it’s a bit of a chicken and egg situation - you’re probably more motivated to do exercise if you’re happy and healthy, and less motivated if you’re poorly and depressed.

My mom is 64 and my dad is 66, both are in great shape. They cycle, swim, walk, do yoga, lift weights, play tennis, pickleball, and the odd game of beach volleyball. They kayak and travel 6 months out of the year in their RV (they live in North America). They've been retired for about 15 years now and are very healthy, although my mom has had to start taking medication for her blood pressure this year (must be a genetic component because her brother's been on it since his early 40s). My dad takes nothing. They were active throughout their lives and raised us to be active and sporty too.

My dad was very fit when younger, he used to run, swim, play football, squash etc.
He's nearly 80, very fit still, has had one hip replaced and recovered quickly, probably have the other one done soon. He had bowel cancer in his early 50s, had to have a lot of his bowel removed and has lived with a colostomy bag since (it was very tough for him at the beginning but it saved his life).
I'm certain his fitness helped him recover relatively quickly from ops/illness.

Yes of course, despite our best efforts ill health can come at any time

My mum is mid 60s and started going to exercise classes then the gym at 35ish. She's recently moved abroad and hikes mountains, despite her inherited joint issues.

At the same age her mum, grandma and most older female relatives had retired to an armchair in the kitchen and stayed there all day every day, none of them particularly mobile past 50. She takes after them and does have the exact same health problems, but she refuses to give up.

She's also learning a new language and culture, and has recently taken up running an online forum to keep her brain active.

I plan to be like mum (makes mental note to start exercising)

I’m 65 and though I don’t work out (haven’t for years), I live an active life generally as I have a large dog who needs lots of walking. I’ve had dogs and horses all my adult life, although I gave up riding a couple of years ago when I lost my last horse. So far (touch wood) everything still seems to work, knees and hips are fine and I can manage the stairs just fine - and I’m hoping I’ll be ok for a few years yet. I do think it’s important to keep everything moving for as long as you can. Use it or lose it….

There was a piece on R4 at the weekend about octogenarian park runners. They said basically it was better to keep going with it, however slowly, than not.

My parents have both always been active and are in good health now ( mid 70s) and a healthy weight. My dad has had both knees and a hip replaced but he used to be a pro footballer so took a lot of strain on his joints. Mum also had a spinal fusion a while ago so exercise isn’t a guarantee you won’t have any issues as you get older. Now the main benefit is social as they both get out and enjoy their sports and exercise classes with their friends.

Tbh the other thing is that they have both always had a v good diet- no fads but fresh and mainly unprocessed foods. A lot of fruit and vegetables and whole grains.

I'm mid 50s, size 20, do a bit of hiking and run a couple of times a month and generally view myself as unfit. Then there is a thread on here about what people consider a 'long walk' and I realise I am way fitter than most people. To me a long walk is 6 hours plus not the 2 or 3 it seems to be to most people. So yes the limited exercise I do keeps me fitter than most people.