Is it too old to start?

Hi Alison. I'm 71 & exercise at least 3 times a week as well as walking wherever I can... I've joined my local leisure centre and go to some brilliant classes for the over 50's. I also enjoy the aquafit sessions in the swimming pool. You don't have to swim for this.
If you haven't already checked your local leisure centre out, I'd advise you to.
Gyms/exercise classes aren't just for the young.

I agree with what you say about swimming. I go 4 or 5 times a week, I find it keeps me fit. Also it will be the last of the sporting activities that I do that I will have to give up. The reason for this is that the water takes the weight of your body, Which means you are unlikely to sustain many injuries.

I agree with zorran-use it or lose it. Two months before I was 60 yrs I joined a running course and in September, aged 62 yrs, I ran my first half marathon. I am doing another in March. I swim, go to Zumba and next week I am off skiing.

Well done Zorran ,

Hi everybody, I'm 62 and have been running marathons since I was 45. In 2011 I ran the New York City marathon and last year I ran the Budapest marathon. My philosophy is - use it or lose it! Another incentive for me is my 5 big dogs who need lots of exercise so I run with them. Oh and I have 6 horses so lots of mucking out! It really pays to keep active. I swim every Monday with a group of ladies the same age as me, a lovely social event. I have hypothyroidism so it is very difficult for me to lose weight but I keep trying!

Well there is no age to start for any things ,Because you live only once so follow a better Exercise regime plus start having a healthy diet and make a habit of eating food that is healthy and would make you stronger.

It's never too late. I'm 76 and have an artificial knee but have been going to keep-fit locally for 4 years now. And it's not one just for little old ladies,
it's quite hard work, but great fun and I love it and have made friends there.

I would just say if you have any health problems check exercise out with your GP first and if you intend using the gym ask for an assessment.

Would love that even more if it massaged my head.mmmmmmmmmmm

Sometimes, when I've been shopping I nip into the gym and say s*d the exercise, and go straight to the couch....[they don't seem to mind]

It's a sort of couch that you lie back in and it sends vibrations up and down your body. It's supposed to help all the muscles that you've just used . Funny thing is, it creaks when it stops and sits you back up so it's like Dracula rising from his coffin .

Flowerofthewest tut tut!!!

No such luck re vibrator

Galen I go to a gym once a week which is run and owned by a physio. My class on a Saturday is for the ancient and decrepit and we each have different problems from Parkinsons, joint replacements, cardiac surgery, mental health issues to name a few. We go at our own pace and it works well.

I only took this up afterI had my ankle pinned and plated following #dislocation in my mid sixties and continued after a semi failed knee replacement.

Flower; that sounds like the one I go to. There were quite a few people there yesterday and we were chatting as we exercised [do you have the 'vibrator' one at the end??] Whether I'll be able to renew it next year is a different matter though, but because it's so expensive I make the effort to go. I also met someone from u3a at the gym the other day and found out about their next meeting, so I've joined that.

Meant to add that these machines also take the pressure off joints they are hydraulically managed and it is fun.

I started 3 years ago with regular exercise at CURVES, a gym for women. 30 mins workout on ten pieces of equipment and stretching. Love the though of the YMCA Gym tho. even cheaper than Curves which is £35 a month. I also go walking with my husband, lately though have not felt much like either due to a nasty bout of shingles but intend to start asap

Your are never too old to exercise but the only thing I would say is have a word with your GP if you have any health problems.
The gym I attend wouldn't allow me to use the machines when I tried to join because I had high blood pressure and advised me to go to the GP.
Any gym worth it's salt will give you a health review before you are allowed on the equipment.
I use the YMCA gym and for seniors it's £10 a month so a good deal, we don't have a swimming pool but that's alright as I wouldn't use it so know point in paying for something I wouldn't use.
I use the gym 2 to 3 times a week the staff are very helpful I can have a review of my program at anytime.
You will maintain your muscle mass, bone density and endurance and all this will help into old age.
I am also in a walking group and can walk 5 times a week if I had the time with this group it is run by the council and is guided, walking is a good way to keep fit.

You will not loose weight by exercising I have never lost weight the only way to loose weight is to eat less or change the types of food you eat and take in less calories than you need.

It just knackers you out. What is the flipping' point?

Step away from that mixing bowl Galen.

Just come back from shooting arrows. Very enjoyable but got rained off! No archery next w/e as they have some sort of gala .
Suppose I'd better go and bake a cake!

Alison; the gym I've joined is called 'energie' and they have franchises in other parts of the country. They have machines that take the pressure off your joints which is why I joined as I have bad knees. They monitor your first 6 weeks and discuss diet, lifestyle, goals etc. It's a women only gym [hope Frank isn't reading this] so I feel comfortable going there. They also have cross trainers, treadmills, exercise bikes etc and a machine that I've not been let loose on yet. It seems to be mostly older women, so I feel comfortable about going. It'll be interesting to see how much I've improved when I have my 6 week assesment in a few days time. I'm hoping that it has improved my fitness in such a way that I can move on to different sorts of exercise. I also get to meet some very pleasant people when I'm there. I've paid for a year and doubt if I'll continue after that [I won't have the money soon] but it's certainly kick started me into a fitness campaign. Most of these places let you have a free go to see how you get on. It takes me exactly an hour to do the circuit.

If you want to exercise and loose a bit of weight you could try Rosemary Conley diet & fitness classes if there is one in your area. This club is suitable for all age groups and I have been going to mine for about 15 years. I recently had a bone density test to show the risk of osteroporosis(not the correct spelling - sorry) and I have the bones of a 30 year old - I am 59 years old. I put this down to regular exercise and keeping fit. It is never too late to get fit.

Nelliemoser just oa, that's enough Thankyou. It's playing up again today as I've made a boiled fruit cake and a banana cake.
The banana cake only the top half came out so I'm eating the banana bottom instead of lunch.
Don't normally bake but DD and DGD coming tomorrow.