need a "talking to" about exercise 50-60 yo

Sheisinlove109

I didn't start off loving exercise either. In fact, I looked at is a complete chore. I would have rather gone to the dentist or scrubbed the house with a toothbrush than have gone to the gym.

I finally had enough of feeling terrible and looking terrible so I told myself, 30 days straight in the gym for 60 minutes at a minimum. Much to my surprise, I fell in love with it and now am antsy if I haven't gone by 4pm. My world has changed. My outlook, my looks, everything! I think I've missed 8 days since January.

As with anything, talk to your doc about a plan. Check with a nutritionist too. Once you lose ten pounds and feel that accomplishment you'll probably be hooked! Best of luck.

nowine4me

Get a dog and a super awesome playlist and walk outside. It's really amazing how it can change make your life.

spiriteagle99

I don't love exercise, but I do love walking, hiking, running, backpacking, yoga, dancing, etc. I've been active all my life, partly in reaction to an obese mother who couldn't do half the things she wanted to do because she was too unfit. Travel is a lot less fun when you can't walk more than a block. My family is very long lived and I knew I had a choice as to what kind of life I'd have - sitting on the couch watching TV or living life instead of just watching it. I also didn't want to be one of those people discussed above who spend 20 or more years in bed, just waiting to die.

At 60 I run 35+ miles a week and walk another 20. I only started running 6 years ago but have run 3 marathons. My 78 year old husband can still hike regularly and we walk our dog together twice a day. We know a lot of hikers and backpackers in their 70s. Years ago I decided I wanted to be one of them.

You should think about what you'd like to do and what it will take to get there. Walking is one of the easiest and cheapest activities. Get a dog. Ask a friend or family member to walk with you. Walk at lunch or after dinner. If that doesn't appeal, think of classes you'd like to take: yoga, pilates, Zumba, dance, etc. Since it's summer, go for a swim. In winter, go skiing, snowshoeing, or just for a walk in the snow. Don't think of it as exercise, just as getting out and having fun.

Packerjohn

dodieneatfreakwannabe wrote: »

I think a lot of people missed your sense of humor, which I love! What's with all this SUPER SERIOUS stuff on these responses??? GOOD GRIEF people, lighten up!!
OK, since you couldn't find a category for less than sedentary, I'll give you one: on the way to a life threatening illness! How's that one? That should be motivating. Then you can pick whichever one is seen most in your family: heart attack, diabetes, stroke. If you have a high stress life, plan on one of those in the next year.

How to get moving: well, get a friend, like me, who is in the same boat and has a sense of humor, and work together! I'll be your friend! I'm on here a lot and on Facebook a lot too!! And the best way to get moving: invite people to your house. You will be sweating for HOURS cleaning everything in sight. Add to that some tai chi and some good yoga and in no time you will be more coordinated as well as more limber. It's a GREAT way to start moving. Tai chi burns some of the HIGHEST calories in exercise! Check it out! And the risk for injury is low because the movements are slow and controlled.

So, in summary, find friends, clean house, add at least an hour a day of tai chi and yoga. Of course eat well. You're already starting out with a great first ingredient: a sense of humor.

PS: I had a STROKE at age 49 in front of my classroom of 7th graders. I'm trying to regain my life and I have a long way to go. I speak from experience, and I know that it can help you.

Nothing wrong with tai chi but it does not burn some of the HIGHEST calories in exercise.

A 125-pound person burns about 240 calories in an hour session, while a 155-pound person burns 300 and a 185-pound person burns 356. A tai chi session is about the equivalent, in terms of calorie burning, as an hourlong walk done at 3.5 mph.


Source:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/424966-calories-burned-by-tai-chi/

Swimming, running, cross country skiing burn substantially more calories for a given time period.