Hello

2014altrn
2014altrn Posts: 1 Member
in Introduce Yourself

I am 73 years young but feel like 100 years old. A serious illness knocked me down in 2024. Building back strength, balance, energy, wt loss needed and activity increased. Joined a gym yesterday for a 1 week trial and did 2 hours of light impact water aerobics, low intensity.

back and foot pain are issues that I medicate for and space out the activity. Pt work and VShred are my assistance right now. Wish me encouragement to stick to it and that i am worth it.

Replies

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 38,485 Community Helper

    Hello and welcome!

    I'm 69, turning 70 next month, have been here on MFP for a while.

    It's been some years, but I first got routinely active after an advanced stage breast cancer and its treatment. I gradually increased activity as I got fitter, and now would say I'm more active and fitter than average for our demographic. That was a manageable process, but with a patient, persistent series of steps, I surprised myself with how far I progressed. I'm betting you can do the same.

    It does take some time to feel the benefits at first, but it's not a matter of waiting for some ultra distant finish line: There are positive changes along the way.

    Foolishly, I didn't lose down to a healthy weight until a dozen years later, but that also brought quality of life improvements. Those included improvements in blood test results, lower blood pressure, reduced joint pain severity/frequency, and just an overall better sense of well- being (maybe from reduced systemic inflammation?).

    I won't say it was psychologically easy every single second, but the process was simpler than I'd expected when I took a sensible, gradual approach.

    You are worth it for sure, and the benefits can be amazing, in my experience.

    A non-extreme plan, gradual changes, and patient persistence are what I'd recommend.

    Best wishes!

    P.S. I don't encourage paying for VShred fitness/nutrition content. There are better information sources that are free, let alone many better sources that have prices no higher than VShred. Ditto for supplements.

  • yakkystuff
    yakkystuff Posts: 2,383 Member

    It is a surprise how much strength and stamina we lose when we get knocked off our feet - and recovery takes longer...

    Doing this is so worth it!

    Water exercise is my favorite - so much easier on the joints, aches and pains... my PT started with that and seated exercise videos for bands, hand weights, body range of motion and flexibilty - I was surprised how much it still helps keep joints working and improving.

    Hope you find good healing and recovery :)

Categories