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.

@moi2558

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?

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I couldn't agree with you more. I keep an old triumph spitfire and more and more I feel like this car. I was quite agile and quick at one time. Not so much now but still there's a spark. I just need a little more t&c.

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@rek

I couldn't agree with you more. I keep an old triumph spitfire and more and more I feel like this car. I was quite agile and quick at one time. Not so much now but still there's a spark. I just need a little more t&c.

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Hey, Rod. That sounds like what I call my Ford Explorer. With all the repairing, it's a 19962024. I pat it appreciatively & say I know how it feels now. New windshield, cataract surgeries, battery, bypass, wipers, glasses, oil leak, Synvisc knee injections, bent frame, I walk tilted too, dents, scratches, but all my cylinders still fire & I can put the speed on my attitude if a moron challenges my intelligence. Don't know when I became an elder, but I will be respected. We each are an ongoing history book. Hopefully we've learn to stop and listen to others. What they seen, know, is fascinating & I always learn new things. Did you learn anything today? No? Then get back in there til you do. & Honor every soldier & VET you meet. Welcome them Home no matter how much has passed for them. By the way, don't take that the country your standing on is free and warless for granted. Things change. Appreciate while you may. And don't forget to wax the ole Spitfire every so often. It's a keeper like my 19962024 Ford. Safe day to you.

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@gingerw

@rodkleiss Rod, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You have already seen a few posts with people talking about what works for them. I think it is a matter of doing what works for you, and here we get to see different ideas.

Fitting in time to do purposeful exercise is great. Remember, everyday tasks can be their own form of exercise [I am thinking about my duties to keep our street gutters and sidewalks clean]. Sometimes we can modify those tasks to make them more challenging and create our own individualized plan!

I live in a rural area with no access to a gym, but we have some great roads for walking. Wearing a bright orange vest and going against traffic, I have seen close-up, the colors of fall and critters of all sorts. Taking along a bag to gather litter, two things get accomplished at one time.
Ginger

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I am new to this site, but already have read some very helpful information! I am 80, living in a rural area of Montana, and love to walk. I was an advid backpacker and hiker in my younger years, but realize this is no longer in my future. There is a dirt road where I like to walk. It is by a creek and I also see many critters, both land an air, so it is very comforting. Thanks for your post and the information it contained.

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@love2hikemt

I am new to this site, but already have read some very helpful information! I am 80, living in a rural area of Montana, and love to walk. I was an advid backpacker and hiker in my younger years, but realize this is no longer in my future. There is a dirt road where I like to walk. It is by a creek and I also see many critters, both land an air, so it is very comforting. Thanks for your post and the information it contained.

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Let us know how it goes for you. Because I'm headed in your direction age wise.

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@love2hikemt

I am new to this site, but already have read some very helpful information! I am 80, living in a rural area of Montana, and love to walk. I was an advid backpacker and hiker in my younger years, but realize this is no longer in my future. There is a dirt road where I like to walk. It is by a creek and I also see many critters, both land an air, so it is very comforting. Thanks for your post and the information it contained.

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@love2hikemt Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Unfortunately, we often have to modify pasttimes as we gather years under our belts. But it sounds like you have figured out a way to keep walking, always a good exercise.
Ginger

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@moi2558

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?

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Do you have senior olympics in your area, A while back I competed with people in my age group and I had great fun.

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@maggieb892

Do you have senior olympics in your area, A while back I competed with people in my age group and I had great fun.

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I live in a fairly rural area of Montana and there are no senior olympics in our area. As an 80-year-old female, I honestly don't think I would enjoy suich competition. I'm more an outdoorsy type and prefer walking or hiking in the wilderness.

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@maggieb892

Do you have senior olympics in your area, A while back I competed with people in my age group and I had great fun.

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Seniors Games & Masters Games, but I can't fly my discus any longer. I still have it though. I keep it & heavy old mountain bike as Hope. Maybe after knee replacement. Focusing on riding that bike & miles walking with my retired service pup.

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@love2hikemt

I live in a fairly rural area of Montana and there are no senior olympics in our area. As an 80-year-old female, I honestly don't think I would enjoy suich competition. I'm more an outdoorsy type and prefer walking or hiking in the wilderness.

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I'm not that competitive any longer either and haven't looked for a competitive team to join since I moved from upstate NY.

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