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

I am 61 and have been going to Jazzercise classes since I was in my 30's. I stopped for a few years, and because of my refusal to get on a scale I let 25 pounds sneak up on me. So I rejoined my class and am now just 2 pounds from goal and feel decades younger, and much lighter and quicker on my feet. I can catch the grand kids now!

It's the only one hour total body workout around. 40 minutes dance aerobics, 20 minutes weights, bands, balls, and floor exercises for that all important core strength and working all the problem areas. A great way to meet your neighbors and make new friends.

I also hike in the summer months.

Originally posted on the "Over 40's":
4 sessions, approx 20 mins each of HIIT full body/functional movement + 1-2 sessions Cardio (Static bike/Rowing machine - running is a no-go area). Precede each session with 5-10 min warm up & finish with a similar cool down period. Cardio 18-25 mins maximum' again adding similar warm up & cool down time. Work out 4/6 days weekly sometimes less depending on lifes intrusions/other activities (on fine weather days) or just wanting a day off (NB. usually 3-4 days HIIT& 1-2 days Cardio).
5'10" tall. 168lbs weight. Chest 42" Waist 34" Resting pulse mid 40's per min. Blood pressure when last taken 130/73.
Vegetarian past 40 years. Low carb/high fat diet. Supplements taken Multivitamin, Magnesium, Co-Enzyme CQ10, Vit B12 & Vit D3. 70years old.
Started changes to lifestyle 4 years back when close to 200lb weight, waist heading towards 40" & slowing down with a rising blood pressure..Its been a long term approach of small changes in diet/exercise to develop habits for good health that are sustainable, more a marathon than a sprint.
It still requires discipline to maintain the good habits, it is so easy to slip back.......

Wish you all well in your own efforts.
Hope the above is of help.

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 am "only" 57, thank for the link. Started C25K this year, but stopped, due to the heat (started too close to summer in the US).

Will keep that on my calendar for next Spring. Use to run before, loved, very relaxing before or after work.

Love working out with Kettle Bells. Will be restating Iron Core Kettle Bell Boot Camp, Lauren Brooks DVD and 30 Day shred (had a couple of days off as I was in NY).

I'm almost 62. I use my treadmill over the winter but otherwise my normal life keeps me active. I raised horses and still own 16, so general feeding (hay bales) cleaning and handling horses keeps me moving. I also do most of the farm maintenance and am currently painting the outside of my single story house. I've never been interested in exercise, so it's a good thing I have a busy and physical daily life. I cannot sit around and let the moss grow under me!

Hello, I'am 61years young, completed the C25K and have continued to either run 30 minutes or walk a fast pace of 3.5 for 60 minutes every day. I also do Jillian Micheals Shred It Dvd with weights 5 times a week and play golf 3 times a week. I'am pretty active and will kayak every time I get the chance. I believe stay active and you will feel awesome every day. Also retirement is so nice to allow the time to get this all packed in my day lol!

Hi, I'm also from the 50+ thread.:flowerforyou:

How lucky we older folks are if we are retired and have more time to look after ourselves.:happy:
I do 70 mins cardio daily on machines I have in the spare bedroom. Rowing, elliptical and recumbent bike. Then I go into my bedroom and do 20 - 30 mins strength training, body weight, dumbbells, knee exercises, balance etc. This has changed my shape for the better. For biceps and triceps I use 9kg weights.
On Tuesday I have a "day off" and go to a yoga class. :laugh:
I will be 65 next week.:happy:

I feel in better shape now than I have been since I was a young woman. I have knee issues, ankle issues, pronation etc, but all are sooooooo much improved. I don't think I will ever be able to run though and walking more than 4 miles is uncomfortable.. A few years ago I could barely walk downstairs and had to lift my bad knee leg into the car with my hands.

Getting fit has changed my life so much.:bigsmile: :drinker:

By the way....BRAVO to all you folks! There are younger people out there who would not be able to keep up to you all!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKempvN5ino


copy and paste this,,,Tae Bo Flex, real slow, non intimidating, I can do this one, do not have to use slow motion settings, and yes, you have time to breathe.lol

Hey everyone. 61 yrs, still working full time (nurse) my schedule is different EVERY week and can be 4,8, or 12 hr shifts, so I have never been able to join any kind of exercise class or group. ( partly how I got so heavy in the first place.) Seeing so many debilitated patients at work, my age or just a little older, and chronic joint pain, prompted me to start my first diet in 24 years.

So happy to have found MFP in the first week! It really has made all the difference for me. As of today, I've lost 61 Pounds in 7 months with 19 to go. Stopped eating junk. Started walking more. Walk every day at lunch time (we get an hour) so can get 30 minutes in most days. Initially had trouble keeping up with my walking partner, but now I could leave her in the dust. Then, walk most evenings with husband and our little dog. Sadly, Sprout died last week - 14 y.o. Miniature Schnauzer. It's been sad and hard to walk without her. Use stationary bike other days, and now that fall is here, lots of yard work opportunities.

Eat very little meat. That's been the case for > 10 yrs. just don't like it and then there's the whole, factory farming/animal cruelty thing. Always said my body was the result of macaroni and cheese and donuts. I've found that Cauliflower with cheese sauce is a more than adequate substitute. Really just eating healthier.

Eat less - Move more. Good luck to all. Linda in Baltimore

I push myself to do 45 minutes twice a day of stretching and strengthening exercises designed specially for my knees. Then I do 50 to 75 situps in the morning and if I feel really motivated I do them again in the afternoon.

I have free weights which I pick up every time I sit down to watch a movie.

I have an exercise bicycle which I use almost every day. I try to do 10 minutes at a good pace.

At least three times a week I drive to a nearby park and get out and use the exercise benches to do many kinds of stretching exercises.

Having knee problems which can't be operated on I do whatever I can think up every day.:drinker:

Its all about a POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

Just turned 65--Have taken Tai Chi for 7 years (I even have a cool sword!) Do alot of walking and wogging on hilly terrain along with biking. Have a large collection of DVDs and if I don't hike will do one of them, favorites are Jillian Michaels and a couple of really really old Kick Butt and step. I do basic strength with 5-12lb weights.
Last week I started taking belly dancing class.

Congrats! 80 pounds lost is just great! I am back on My Fitness Pal after being off of it for 3 years. I gained 30 lbs. after the doctor put me on insulin. NOT good! So! Here I am again and I am cutting my carb intake to a very low amount. No more sugary ice cream or cookies. Last doctor's visit was scary and he told me that I needed to start watching my diet more closely if I ever want to get off my insulin shot once a day. Keep up the good work!!! BTW, I turn 62 on October 23rd of this year.

My story is on my profile.

However, I started running (again) last year at age 60. Last real running I did was in 1985.

I run 3 times a week, 45-70 minutes twice on weekdays (Tuesday and Thursday) and then some specific distance on the weekend. Of course, that plan keeps me in shape to run a half-marathon at the drop of a hat and I'm almost at the point where I can do an easy run of a full marathon almost on a whim.

I need to be more diligent on my cross-training / strength training. And I need to focus more on my fuel plan for my running an exercise, but I have been maintaining my weight in a fairly narrow range for a while.

Bump

I'm 61 and am still losing the last 5 pounds, but I strength train 3 days a week with hand weights and walk 3-5 miles 3 days a week either outside or with Leslie Sansone's DVDs. I force myself to rest one day, but it is the day I clean my house so it may not be a REAL rest day During July and August, I also hike the Adirondack Mountains at least 3-4 days a week and continue with weights for 3 days. I am stronger than I have ever been in my life. 60 is the new 50 for those of us who work out and I love being 61 going on 52! :drinker: