Activity might be the most important thing.

[ugeauxgirl]

Re: people exercising because they're healthy enough to do it- I think that is sometimes true, but sometimes they just don't want to. My husband was disinclined to exercise (and never has in our 22 year marriage) until I dragged him out to play pickleball with me several times. Now he's hooked, and plays 3 days a week. He's lost weight and is feeling better- yay!

 

[DayDreaming]

Re: people exercising because they're healthy enough to do it- I think that is sometimes true, but sometimes they just don't want to. My husband was disinclined to exercise (and never has in our 22 year marriage) until I dragged him out to play pickleball with me several times. Now he's hooked, and plays 3 days a week. He's lost weight and is feeling better- yay!

Exercise just for the sake of exercise is always hard. People need to find something they love doing that just happens to include physical activity. I'm glad your husband found that something!

 

[isisdave]

At the end of the day, genetics is the key factor as to how long we live and in what health condition we are in as we age. We are both very active and hope that it is a factor in our quality of life as we age.

As my doctor once put it, "Choose your parents carefully."

 

[pdxgal]

I had a grandfather who never exercised a day in his life, drank at least as much as any of his friends, and was perfectly healthy until a year or two before his death at 96. There are always outliers.

Back in the day people’s lives were generally fairly active even if they didn’t “exercise” per se. There were fewer labor saving devices. Case in point: using a leaf blower vs raking. My own grandmother never learned to drive so walked to do shopping and errands. Then again, the jazz musician Eubie Blake smoke and drank and lived to be close to 100 IIRC. He said “ if I’d known I’d live so long I would’ve taken better care of myself.” Ha!

 

[soylentgreen]

While i have many stimulating physical activities, they are not "exercise," but integrated movement and exertion with purpose; gardening, repairs, dog walks. As a oft sedentary thinker and student of texts, much like my brainy colleagues and friends, I refresh the maxim the unexamined life is not worth living, when offered a dull round of golf or repetitive movement gym session, in lieu of energetic mental stimulation. Yoga is a different matter, literally meaning union.

Maximizing and optimizing health to supranaturally extend lifetime for some are secondary preoccupations of a practical, material ideology. The attached body is an amazing vehicle and ensuing age with negligent upkeep, is obvious, but what interests more is the underlying reasons so many of us deny the body and why so many of us identify with it beyond it's capacity.

For some the trade off of shorter years, potential worse health, and more brainy activity is worth it.

 

[Rambler]

I would never claim that activity is the key to a long, healthy life (although I believe it's a big part).
I had a grandfather who never exercised a day in his life, drank at least as much as any of his friends, and was perfectly healthy until a year or two before his death at 96. There are always outliers.

I seem to be one of the outliers, on the opposite side of things. I’ve run or walked or some combo of the above for an hour a day for at least the last 50 years (never much into lifting, though), and I just found out a few weeks ago that I have my third cancer to deal with. First was prostate cancer, removed surgically, followed 5 years later by a recurrence of prostate cancer which was radiated. I’m now 2 years post radiation and free of prostate cancer. I had to go to emergency a few weeks ago for appendicitis. During the work up for surgery they found a mass on my kidney on the opposite side. Follow-up MRI indicates cancer, stage 1b. Although I’ve always been quite active, I have also always carried more weight than I should. Anyway, surgery again in a few weeks is thought to be likely curative (radical nephrectomy is the surgical plan). BTW, I’m 62, retired at 51, PCa at 55, again at 60, renal cancer at 62.

 

[savory]

If you want to share the benefits of being fit, encourage your community to practice active transportation. This approach adds walking and biking to locations vs driving. Taking the bus/subway or any public transportation that a user walks to/from is included.

In most cities and towns, there is a program to create bicycling infrastructure for commuters, programs for getting kids to walk/bike to school called Safe Routes To School, and more.

Making your community active transportation friendly will add the benefits that many of you receive by exercising but do not practice active transportation. If you want to provide another approach to make your friends and family healthier, work with those active transportation advocates who are trying to do the same thing that live in your community. Even if you do not plan to change your motor vehicle habits

For me and DW, we always make our motor vehicle our last choice for transportation.

 

[meleana]

Difficult to know which is the cause and which is the effect. Poor health causes many people to slow down, so some people that don't move as much were in worse health to begin with.

Right. I exercise daily. I was a Pesci vegetarian for years also. Little did I know I had a really bad back about to rear it’s ugly head. Spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. No wonder I was gaining weight. Between that and menopause I was slowing down. And I was so fanatical about my health!

Ended up with spine surgery last year and still recovering. Still exercising but I am fat and this whole thing has aged me badly, though I do take care of myself. I barely sleep, I can’t move the same way. Sad I can no longer do most of my yoga positions which I did religiously a few times per week for 20 plus years.

Even some of the daily isometric exercises I still can’t do. I walk maybe 2 miles on the hills where I live, but sometimes it hurts. I press on but afterwards I’m exhausted.

 

[sengsational]

"If you keep on dancin' you'll never grow old"

Proof: 100% of the people I know that died had ceased dancing before they passed.

 

[savory]

"If you keep on dancin' you'll never grow old"

Proof: 100% of the people I know that died had ceased dancing before they passed.

Made me think of the Tighten up:

Hi everybody
I'm Archie Bell of the Drells, from Houston, Texas
We don't only sing
But we dance just as good as we walk

 

[aja8888]

 

[badatmath]

I was kind of amazed to note the physical therapist was a bit rude to me today over my walking habit.

I guess even they have a "limit" on what is acceptable amount or type of physical activity. I asked him if he'd prefer I spent more time sitting in the living room and he shut right up but still . . . you would think someone who deals with ill health would be more encouraging.

IDK I find it odd how many people actively discourage things that are generally considered healthy behaviors. I'm sure I could find someone to talk me into something not so healthy much more easily.

 

[Koolau]

"If you keep on dancin' you'll never grow old"

Proof: 100% of the people I know that died had ceased dancing before they passed.

I think I'm in deep, deep trouble. I've never been able to dance.

 

[Koolau]

Made me think of the Tighten up:

Hi everybody
I'm Archie Bell of the Drells, from Houston, Texas
We don't only sing
But we dance just as good as we walk

There are inventions we wish we could "un-invent" (like hydrogen bombs?) That song needs to be "un-written." But, I digress.

 

[aja8888]

There are inventions we wish we could "un-invent" (like hydrogen bombs?) That song needs to be "un-written." But, I digress.

That was a hit song for the times. There were lots of great oldies like that. Give it a break!

 

[LadyIJ]

Difficult to know which is the cause and which is the effect. Poor health causes many people to slow down, so some people that don't move as much were in worse health to begin with.

Great consideration. Interesting self-will vs. physical limitations. My back is terrible (stenosis, degenerative arthritis, surgery, etc.) I can not play tennis or jog like I did decades ago. I can’t even play pickleball. I found an eliptical that simulates running and try to use it 6 days a week. My best friend has similar issues and can hardly get out of a chair. Decided she’s vegan and eats sugar and starch (not saying all vegans do that). My brother also moaning and groan when moving and gaining weight (my baby brother!). So your point is spot on, but some of us try much harder. As you age you have to fight it.

 

[LadyIJ]

Right. I exercise daily. I was a Pesci vegetarian for years also. Little did I know I had a really bad back about to rear it’s ugly head. Spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. No wonder I was gaining weight. Between that and menopause I was slowing down. And I was so fanatical about my health!

Ended up with spine surgery last year and still recovering. Still exercising but I am fat and this whole thing has aged me badly, though I do take care of myself. I barely sleep, I can’t move the same way. Sad I can no longer do most of my yoga positions which I did religiously a few times per week for 20 plus years.

Even some of the daily isometric exercises I still can’t do. I walk maybe 2 miles on the hills where I live, but sometimes it hurts. I press on but afterwards I’m exhausted.

I have similar back issues and have found a health club that has Precor AMT ellipticals. It’s an easy glide that doesn’t aggravate my back and enables me to get my recommended 150 minutes weekly cardio. My energy level and brain function have really improved but sadly it doesn’t help with the post-menopausal weight gain. For that I’m cutting carbs, sugar and calories.

 

[Closet_Gamer]

I think there is a lot of evidence that exercise can increase healthspan even if it doesn’t do that much for lifespan, where genetics and things like cancer become more determinant.

What it can do to help lifespan is reduce the likelihood/risk of falls that lead to broken hips and along with a good diet, it can help with heart disease.

There is another health span and lifespan impact in that when something bad does happen (you step off of a curb wrong), you start from a stronger place and therefore have a better recovery point to start from.

I am living this right now. I ruptured a disc in my back which has knocked me way back in terms of exercise/weight but I was able to lean into PT from a healthy place. Plus, the only reason DW survived sepsis was her heart was strong.

There is also evidence that any sustained exercise at any age will provide benefits. More is generally better though obviously diminishing returns with some type of cardio and resistance/strength exercise being useful. Neither has to be particularly intense.

There are outliers all over the place that can lead to confirmation bias.

In addition to Younger Next Year, the book “Outlive” is very interesting.

Of course, the end of the line is not in doubt so I still enjoy cookies and beer!

 

[sparky08]

I would much rather be outside. And if I'm outside, I'm likely doing something active. Taking care of the yard, biking, skiing, hiking, etc.

Before retirement, we lived on a hobby farm and there was always something to do.

 

[sparky08]

I'm 56 and still running ultramarathons. I ran a 68.9 mile trail race in Croatia a month ago, and I'm running Western States 100 in June, then UTMB 171K in August. October will be the Marine Corps marathon to wind down the year.

Big respect! Western States is very tough to get into.

My friend has been trying for years and has a pretty good resume. Finished 13th in his age group at UTMB in Chamonix last year. He's won his age group at the Leadville 100 once and finished second once. He's 59, so you might have been in the same races a couple times.

I'm his crew chief, so I get to travel, but don't have to run.

Best of luck at UTMB! I've crewed there a couple times, if you have any questions.

 

[Ronstar]

I'm 56 and still running ultramarathons. I ran a 68.9 mile trail race in Croatia a month ago, and I'm running Western States 100 in June, then UTMB 171K in August. October will be the Marine Corps marathon to wind down the year.

It's noticeable in Europe especially, I see a lot of older folks in their late 50's and into their 60's doing these events. I'll be the first to admit that running races that long probably isn't the best for the body, and I'm quitting them after this year. But it is vitally important to keep moving, I saw the famous motion is lotion already stated above, it's true.

This is noticeable to me everyday as my job is mostly riding a desk, I make a point to get up at least every hour to move around, and twice a day I go out and walk around the building. I generally work out on my lunch break, I do not go out to eat. Even after a 100 mile race that takes more than 24 hours on your feet, it helps the next day to move around and walk to get the blood flowing through those tired muscles. Active recovery is so much better than resting too long.

My family has the genetics to live into the early 90's or so, provided we don't smoke cigarettes or abuse alcohol etc. I want to be like my wife's aunt. She is 92, and it seems like she is always doing something. She does taxes for other retired seniors and some of the 65 year olds look far worse than her. She also pounds the pavement going door to door soliciting people's votes come election time.

Bottom line, keep moving.

Congrats! - I can't imagine what it would be like running ultramarathons. I agree - keep moving.

I find it almost necessary to have a scheduled event in order to maximize my focus to stay active. I'm a sporadic biker and weight lifter because I don't have something to shoot for.

But running presents many events to keep one's focus. I had focus when I wanted to do a post 60 marathon. And then I looked forward to the local 5k in every fall since. So I'd run every May - September to stay in shape for that. But I usually slacked off after that until the following spring.

Now a little more than a year from 70, I'm thinking about a post 70 marathon. Maybe that goal would help keep me more focused year round on staying active - until at least Sept 2025.

 

[skyking1]

I have similar back issues and have found a health club that has Precor AMT ellipticals. It’s an easy glide that doesn’t aggravate my back and enables me to get my recommended 150 minutes weekly cardio. My energy level and brain function have really improved but sadly it doesn’t help with the post-menopausal weight gain. For that I’m cutting carbs, sugar and calories.

150 minutes is great. It is good that you found a path to that.
I will get that in this week, the previous several weeks have been bad with gout.

 

[Koolau]

That was a hit song for the times. There were lots of great oldies like that. Give it a break!

I can honestly say that song was my no. one LEAST favorite of all the "popular songs" of it's generation. I never liked the teen "death" songs either, but I never punched the car radio buttons to stop them like I did the AB/TU song. It was only when Rap/Hip Hop came along that I found more objectionable "songs" to avoid - but YMMV.

 

[aja8888]

Speaking of staying active, today I played 18 holes of golf with friends in this 90+ degree heat, then cut the grass when I got home. Why not, I was soaked to the skin after golf and an hour more of heat and humidity baking wouldn't matter;

 

[MarieIG]

Speaking of staying active, today I played 18 holes of golf with friends in this 90+ degree heat, then cut the grass when I got home. Why not, I was soaked to the skin after golf and an hour more of heat and humidity baking wouldn't matter;

Just make sure you stay hydrated!