Over 60 - what do you do to stay in shape?

I'm no where near maintaining but am losing and attempting to move much more. I know the article that was produced last spring regarding the oldest of the old, based on people who live in Laguna Hills, CA (can't remember name of the research) showed that 45 minutes of any activity a day, kept people fit. And the "exercise" did not have be all at once. Housework and gardening "did" count btw.

What hand weight exercise helped arthritis, please? My husband appears very fit to look at, but does have some elbow and knee problems that are arthritis caused.

I recently started with New Rules of Lifting for Life, which is designed for us older folks. I'm loving it. You can do it at home without a lot of equipment, and it's as challenging as you want it to be, with progressive variations to keep it difficult. Recommended!

How did you start running? I'd love to take it up but can only do short bursts, say 100 yds between power walking sessions. Is it just a matter of perseverance and increasing distance run?

Great to see there's a very fit and healthy group here over 60.

There's a running programme here for starting, produced by the UK National Health Service.

And here's the link: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k.aspx

I use the hand weights in addition to stretch bands. I also ride my exercise bike (when my knee allows). I still mow my huge front and back yards every two weeks with a push mower. Keep up the good work!

I have arthritis in my right knee. I started working with a personal trainer in January of this year. When we started, I was as stiff as a board, my knee ached along with everything else. I could barely sit down on the ground or climb stairs without pain. I work out during the week at a gym and on Sunday with the trainer . What a difference the exercising makes! Stairs - no problem. Bending and stretching- no problem. And there is even the beginning of definition in my legs. Oh I forgot to say, I'm 75.

I'm 68 and hit my final goal weight today. I plan on continuing what I have been doing for years: weightlifting 3-4 times a week for 60-70 minutes, with some cardio 3-4 times a week plus gardening and walking my dogs. I'll just be eating a little more!

For the weight training, I'm currently finishing up the Strong Curves beginner program. I picked this program, even though I'm definitely no beginner, because of its emphasis on building lower body strength, which I needed because I had both hips replaced a few years ago. I needed new hips because of severe osteoarthritis in the old ones. The arthritis made it very difficult and painful to use any significant amount of weight for lower body exercises, and post surgery, I had limitations on the amount of weight I was allowed to use, so I had lost a lot of my strength. Before Strong Curves, I was doing New a Rules of a Lifting Supercharged, which I really liked also. I will probably go back to it at some point.

In terms of cardio, I use the treadmill (uphill) or elliptical for about 25-35 minutes a couple of times a week, and take a Zumba class once a week.

Wow I need to start doing weights then as I have arthritis too . I mostly just walk or swim ( weather permitting ) I'll be 63 in Nov.

Congratulations on reaching your goal! I'm just beginning and it is tough. You are an inspiration! Sounds like a very balanced program--will check out New Curves!

Power walking with Leslie Sansone, she is on youtube, 1 mile, 3mile, and 5 mile. I do not lift weights, but do a light tae bo as best I can using Billy Blanks. He has a new one out where you sit in a chair, really interesting. It is called Low Impact Chair
Workout.

I'm just starting out losing weight, but it would be nice to see an MFP group for our age group.

Walking! During the summer months I strive to walk or hike at least 100 miles per month @ 3.5 mph or greater. Plus play golf at least once a week. In the winter I try to ski at least 30 times during the season. I'm 67 but feel more like 27!