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.

My dad walks loads, plays golf every week etc and is very healthy. Partners parents barely do anything and very unhealthy. I really believe just sitting makes you old

@Abracadabra12345 I do Caroline Girvan for strength and functional fitness, run for cardio, and my stretching routine depends most on whichever bit feels like it needs it, plus general big stretches randomly through the day. I remember reading somewhere about cats staying agile because they do a lot of stretching so I just copied that! I’m not very bendy though!

I don't think there's a linear relationship between activity and health. You clear need to do a decent amount of at least moderate exercise, including weight bearing to maintain bone and muscle health. But I'm not sure (though TBF I could be persuaded if there have been studies) that that benefit continues increasing the more and more you do. I.e. there comes a point where you are straining joints excessively and therefore no longer gaining benefit.

I have both my grannies still alive. One has been plagued by arthritis which has not helped matters, but they have also refused to do any physio etc which I think is a vicious cycle. They are nearly 90 but have been housebound for probably 4 years now. The other is nearly 80 and still walks 4 miles a day, in spite of increasing (but not nearly as severe) arthritis. She gives no impression of aging really, other than the fact she's shrinking!

remember reading somewhere about cats staying agile because they do a lot of stretching

Oh yes, cats know a thing or two about stretching and keeping agile! As does Caroline:

@Pearlsaminga I've cut down on running to concentrate on strength training and the difference in my running is incredible, there is so much power going up hill and I'm sure the potential for injury is reduced due to lifting weights as well: I've even started doing races again!

I agree strength training is very important!
And @Augend23 yes, I think the law of diminishing returns starts to come into play at a certain point 👀

I am not far off 70 and I'm determined to be active and able for as long as I can. I struggle with my weight, putting it on, taking it off... and would like to lose probably a stone. (size 14 ish at the mo)

However, I walk every day, usually just over 3 miles (thank god for podcasts) and sometimes 5 miles. I tried to do couch to 5k but running is just not me, so I just plod along walking.
If I am away on hols and it's hot, I swim instead. Usually for up to an hour, up and down a pool.

I get tired, and I ache sometimes but I want to not be a couch potato and unable to walk far.

Great thread. I exercise to look my best now (I’m early 30s) and don’t give much thought to old age, but it’s good to be reminded of the longterm benefits of exercise!

Interesting! What kind of strength training do you do? I do ultra running and a bit of strength training but need to do more x

@Thetilesaregreen I do Caroline Girvan's programmes, free on YouTube or she has an App out now. I do 4 sessions a week, just finishing off Epic III. I've been doing it for 6 months, started after having bunion surgery when I couldn't run for 3 months. Before my strength training consisted of doing the plank a couple of times a week 🙈. But Caroline's workouts are challenging , effective and a game changer for running!

My dad is 65 and was a pretty serious runner for much of his life. He still runs probably 5x a week now, and is very fit and strong. My mum has always been active, albeit a bit slower than my dad, but she swims and does yoga and Pilates. They are both in very good health and do a lot of walking etc on holidays. My Nan is 85 and still goes out for her daily walk, she’s still very independent!

I suspect an injury for my dad in the next 5-10 years is likely and could be very impactful though. His knees are quite vulnerable and prone to injury anyway so we’ll see. That’s the downside I guess if you do high impact sports.

That's why I don't run anymore and instead focus on strength training - and a bit of cardio

I'm hoping that strength training will help to prolong my running: In the past I had quite bad knee pain (no cartilage), but since I've been strength training it has disappeared due to the fact I have much stronger hips and quads which both help with protecting the knee joints 😀

My mum is 75 and has always been pretty active. Even so age is catching up with her. She walks at snail's pace and gets exhausted easily.

My parents, 76 and 78 have just been on a 2 week holiday hiking in the lakes. My dad has always been very fit and active (can still beat 17 year old nephew in a cycle race) - he used to play squash, cricket, football, run. Now mainly cycles. My mum has never really exercised but does a lot of gardening and walking. Most of their friends seem in similar shape to them I think. Nobody unable to walk, anyway.
I am 50 and do HIIT every morning, and yoga when I feel the need for a stretch. Have a primary school aged child so still doing the school run every day so also walking a fair bit. Always get in at least 8000 steps a day. I didn't take up exercise until my 40s when I realised I needed to stay fit for my daughter. Hopefully my sendentary 20s and 30s won't catch up on me in later life.

Yeah, you're right, my Dad doesn't really do any conscious strength training so that makes sense. He is strong and has an active job but targeted training would probably make a difference.

I love reading about all these fit older people. My dad has had 2 knee replacement and walks everywhere, he is fit and slim at 81. Sadly my mum has dementia although before that she also walked with him. Neither of them did any other exercise but a good diet staying slim and walking has been good for them. Never owned a car, my dad says that cars are killers. Some of his friends take their cars everywhere never walk and they look really old shuffling and stooped.

DH is 68, he swims 50 lengths 3 times a week, 3x1hr in the gym and does two yoga classes, one core and barre with me. He has a great body and is super fit. I’m more of a slacker ……

My grandad still ran into his 70’s until his knees gave up and loved until 89, my nan would cycle beside him and is still going at 92.
Im assuming better diets and exercise kept them healthy and exercise is something I think we should do more of as we get older

Nope. No difference;)

My MIL was a yoga teacher till she was 74 and is still quite fit at 81.
DH great uncle was a retired fireman and was walking 2 miles every day to get his morning newspaper till he died in his nineties. My farmer uncle dropped dead but had been fit as fiddle till that fateful day and was always active.

Strength training saved my knees too! I have arthritis and was in discussions for knee replacements. My GP was really interested in what strength training I had done to turn things around.

My mum stopped exercising in her mid 20s when she moved countries (prior to that she'd have been active, walking miles every day, no car etc)

My dad has exercised regularly since the dawn of time and continues to do so, every day, since retiring. He walks 6 miles a day without fail, cycles 80+ miles every weekend and swims a mile every weekday.

He is slightly younger than my mum but is in top notch physical shape for a man in his late 60s. Since retiring 10 years ago, he has upped his physical activity and says that he feels better than he did when he first retired.

He also has no health issues and takes no medication, while my mum has started with some health issues. She refuses to change her diet or try to start exercising.

My MIL is nearly 80 and has been physically active all her life, running marathons, hill walking, etc. She had a major stroke 8 months ago but recovered physically very fast (had no movement on her right side) and is back to going out on the bus and jogging. However she can't speak. But physically she runs rings around me, at 67 I have been largely sedentary during my life and am weak (no other words for it!) - however I have Hashimoto's and that weakens muscles so that would be an extra issue that isn't related to previous lack of exercise.

My own mother and grandmother were always active in terms of just being busy and always doing things. Both maintained that into old age. Much fitter than me!