Staying fit in advanced age

Posted by Rod @rek, Nov 9, 2023

I'm 76 and have been working to maintain fitness actively for about 10 years now. I have come to recognize how age affects our physical abilities. My heart rate won't ever pass 170 again. I have to be careful on training. If I train too often, I get hurt now. I can't run every day. The legs get sore and don't have time to recover. That's also when I can injure joints. On the other hand, I still seem to be able to gain strength through careful repetition, my balance keeps improving with training, and flexibility as well although there seems to be a real limit to my ageing joints. Oh yes, I seem to be out of breath more quickly as I age. And all of this remains uncertain.
I don't know what is normal for a 76 year old healthy male, how I can improve abilities or should I work more to preserve present ability? There don't seem to be many men or women my age to compare to. I'd love to join a workout community or some such thing but I sure don't know how to get started.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

Rod | @rek | Mar 15 11:37am

Thank you. I signed up.

willow5 | @willow5 | Mar 15 1:30pm

In reply to @rek "I have never heard of this group. Thank you. I can't find that lecture you mentioned." + (show)

Go to their website and scroll way down on the home page. “Here’s What’s Happening,” or something like that, will let you register. You can get on their mailing list. Not many emails, mostly talks and such. Google Buck Institute Novato CA to find their website.

walk4life | @walk4life | Mar 16 11:44am

In reply to @willow5 "Have you ever checked out the Jeff Galloway run/walk/run method for running? I know an 86..." + (show)

@willow5 , When i first started doing long distance running in my 50s , i used the Galloway method. I am easing back into running after hip replacement last year and am using that method again, only now my walk intervals are longer than my run intervals.

willow5 | @willow5 | Mar 16 12:12pm

After foot surgery I was running 5 second and walking 15 seconds 😂 this was on galloway’s advice! I hired him to help me get back to running. Anyhow, whatever it takes. Better to start off gently! I now run/walk 25/25. That works best for me. Not sure I’ll do long distance again. Good luck! Glad you are back to it!

willow5 | @willow5 | Mar 17 10:49am

In reply to @mitfit "Oh gosh! I meant 3 MILES per day, not three hours!!" + (show)

Gosh, I was so envious at 3 hours 😂. Three miles per day is so great!

larryg333 | @larryg333 | Mar 18 10:55am

Good morning, all!

Went to the top of this thread to see how we'd defined "advanced age" for purposes of this discussion, and noticed we hadn't done that. Since we all pretty much much agree on so many things, I thought I'd go ahead and set that milestone for us at 100, or maybe 110... as I'm sure just about everyone here would likely concur.

So... I guess that means we all have a few years yet to nail down exactly how to stay fit when we get to that target... agreed?

OK, so let's get back now to laying down some useful ideas.

And thanks for all the suggestions already mentioned!

All the best!

/LarryG

willow5 | @willow5 | Apr 16 10:34am

In reply to @aethos "I am experiencing this too. I am 70 and I cycle with groups and normally ride..." + (show)

Hi - may I ask what you are doing about the perineal tendonitis? Though it may be different than peroneal tendonitis? Not sure.

aethos | @aethos | Apr 16 10:27pm

In reply to @willow5 "Hi - may I ask what you are doing about the perineal tendonitis? Though it may..." + (show)

Physical therapy and rest took care of tendonitis…not an issue but now the degenerative discs issue is flaring up again….nerve ablation did not help me so next is a steroid epidural shot….i just overdid it with cycling and Pilates…but better that than being a couch potato!

willow5 | @willow5 | Apr 16 10:40pm

I like your attitude! I’ve generally had good luck with the epidurals, along with lots of core work. And yes, better than being a couch potato. I plan to get back on the bike in a couple weeks. It’s been awhile! Good luck!

moi2558 | @moi2558 | Apr 19 12:51am

I have accepted repeatedly, that I'm not 42 anymore & in field events. I'm 70 & feel like a used truck with so many repairs & issues. But I keep working out. I just do it a different way to reach my goal. Can't climb the mountain or go around or thru it, but I may just take the scenic route & mosey in a round about way to the other side. The point is to get to your goal. How you do it is your way of driving, walking, swimming or moseying. Mosey still get you there. I no longer watch the time. I'll never beat it. But I put on my music & do my exercises my way. At 70, who's going to tell me I'm doing crunches wrong? I've done them my way since I was 40 & they never let me down. So I can do as many of something. Even if I just do 1 that's better than doing nothing. So good for you going your own way. As long as you're enjoying it, what else matters?