Is my walk enough.

smslloyd1298 · January 2019

I am a diabetic, have had 2 heart attacks and 2x back surgeries. My exercise is walking the dog 45 minutes a day. I generally eat rationally, though I do like to snack. I have thought about joining a gym, but is my 45 min. daily dog walk sufficient for good health. I am 70 years old.

missysippy930 · January 2019

As long as you are a healthy weight and your doctor approves. I’m 67 with no existing health issues and my main exercise is my daily walks (usually about 2 miles) with my dog too. I do have 5# and 10# weights I use a couple of times per week too.

kimny72 · January 2019

"Enough" is really an individual thing. Walking is probably enough cardio, but I'd say for overall fitness you would want to spend some time on strength training/flexibility. Whether that is feasible for you considering your medical concerns, I have no idea. Perhaps one of your doctors can recommend a professional you can discuss your fitness with?

QuilterInVA · January 2019

You need some strength training and balance too. GrowYoungFitness.com is for seniors. I do his free videos every day. Easy and not too long. I am 77. I have celiac disease and severe COPD.

kshama2001 · January 2019

kimny72 wrote: »

"Enough" is really an individual thing. Walking is probably enough cardio, but I'd say for overall fitness you would want to spend some time on strength training/flexibility. Whether that is feasible for you considering your medical concerns, I have no idea. Perhaps one of your doctors can recommend a professional you can discuss your fitness with?

Agreeing with walking probably enough cardio but there is still a need for strength training.

Movements like squats will strengthen the muscles you need to keep getting on and off the toilet unassisted later in life. The inability to do this is what often puts people into nursing homes.

My mom started strength training in her late 70s and her osteoporosis doctor wishes she had started much sooner.

Your doctor should be able to give you a referral.

spiriteagle99 · January 2019

It depends on what kind of walking you do with your dog. If you are walking fairly briskly, then you're fine. If it is a slow leisurely saunter from bush to bush, you aren't really getting much of a cardio workout. I'd add a few days of more strenuous exercise. FWIW, my husband is also diabetic and we walk every day with our dog. It is a mixture of fast and slow walking, so he thinks he is getting enough exercise. His doctor recommended that he do more, since 2 mph is not much of an aerobic workout.

middlehaitch · January 2019

I too would encourage you to add in some form of exercise or daily movement that has you working on your muscles, your balance and your flexibility.

As well as the important toilet visits, there is also simple things like being able to wash your own hair, carry your groceries, and lifting grand, or great-grand children.

So many things we need our muscles, balance and flexibility for.

This can be a bodyweight routine, dumbbells, yoga (I would encourage you to take classes), aquafit, Pilates, Zumba Gold, swimming, or even gardening and regular household activities they have you stretching and lifting regularly.

All of the above will help towards keeping active as you age, some will help more than others with muscle and strength retention depending on what your fitness level is now.

At 65 I am working on keeping active for as long as I can. I don’t love exercise, but I know the long term benefits so don’t begrudge the hour a day I spend doing it (too much).

My mum is about to turn 92 and is just starting to lose a little of her independence (still living in her own). Think of where you want to be in 20 years and work towards that.

Cheers, h.

Is my walk enough.

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