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Latest new instructions from "top doctors"

(104 Posts)
Gonegirl Sat 07-Sept-19 09:38:55

For over-65s

some physical activity is better than none
on two days a week, activity to improve muscle strength, balance and flexibility, including Tai Chi, dance, bowls and aqua-aerobics
each week, 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, building up gradually
break up prolonged periods of being sedentary with light activity when possible, at least with standing

Full article here

Carillion01 Sat 07-Sept-19 11:05:01

Hello Gonegirl, as ever I love to read your posts because you tell it as it is.

My mother died two years ago one day before her 90th birthday.
She drummed it into us...'keep walking', 'Don't sit around'.
The fact that we all waited on her hand and foot always seemed to pass her by.

However, when she was 75 she took up Tai Chi and drove the lovely man, who tried to lead her group, to distraction.

Once when her troupe were part of a local fete-type activity; everyone turned out in black leggings and T shirts as did she. She also turned up with a plastic rain hat on because she'd had her hair done that morning (locally called 'polly hats').

Think her Tai Chi man dreaded her arrival but she gave them all a run for their money. She was keeping everyone on their toes up to a week before she died which was following a fall and the discovery that she'd had oesteoporosis for years.

Gonegirl Sat 07-Sept-19 11:06:58

I would just like to make it clear that I don't sleep in a chair/bed all day.

Gonegirl Sat 07-Sept-19 11:12:24

I've probably got osteoporosis. Lost four and a half inches in height, and I've got a hump.

GagaJo Sat 07-Sept-19 11:13:10

Fair enough, if you're retired and have the time. Personally, I am at work by 7.30am and don't get home until at least 6.30pm, if not later. And then have more work to do.

I used to be much more active but struggle to fit in 3 X a week at the moment.

GagaJo Sat 07-Sept-19 11:13:36

Gonegirl did you say you've got the hump?

quizqueen Sat 07-Sept-19 11:19:06

Swimming is non-loading bearing and just being in the water helps tired and aching muscles. It certainly helped me recover after my knee replacement operation. If anyone can't get their point across without swearing perhaps they should stick to mumsnet!

wildswan16 Sat 07-Sept-19 11:20:23

I am almost seventy. I go to the gym every other day and cycle 8k and row 4k, plus a few half-hours walking on the treadmill.

I may not be able to keep doing that much into my eighties and nineties, but at least I know that I have done my best to improve my fitness until then, and that it will surely help in some way to keep me mobile longer.

I enjoy my time at the gym - there are lots of older people there. Many of them referred by their doctor. Some can do very little at first, but often say how much better they are getting.

Surely we all should do what we can throughout our lives to make our "old age" less painful and boring.

jura2 Sat 07-Sept-19 11:25:18

swimmig is indeed fabulous, but sadly not much use in preventing osteoporosis, which requires weight bearing excercise.

GagaJo Sat 07-Sept-19 11:34:40

quizqueen, are you a site administrator? If not, live and let live (I WAS going to echo Gonegirl, but...).

EllanVannin Sat 07-Sept-19 11:40:03

A brisk walk every day for 1/2 an hour ( daily basis ) then a 1/4 of a mile walk every two weeks keeps me going. I'm not a slow walker anyway and as luck would have it, don't have any aches and pains either.
At soon to be 79 I'm not doing too foul I don't think. I have every intention of being here for my 80th next year !! GW.

merlotgran Sat 07-Sept-19 11:42:36

My mother and her sisters both had humps. Neither of my active grandmothers did so I'm hoping my weight bearing lifestyle will prevent it.

hmm

merlotgran Sat 07-Sept-19 11:44:11

Don't clutch your pearls too tightly, quizqueen You might end up having to crawl under a table to retrieve them.

M0nica Sat 07-Sept-19 11:49:35

My reaction to this is like my reaction to the endless advice on what to eat. Is exactly the word in the heading - f* off.

I eat sensibly, I have always been active. This morning I dug up a load of potatoes in the garden and then went blackberrying. I am on no medication, nor am I overweight. I take no notice of fitness or diet advice. I am 76. Where precisely am I going wrong?

wildswan16 Sat 07-Sept-19 11:54:49

Your not going wrong at all M0nica. You are clearly fit and as active as you can be.

Unfortunately an awful lot of people aren't. They can't give general advice and tailor it to every individual - you're already doing it all so can ignore it. Hopefully others may be encouraged (though I doubt it).

Poppyred Sat 07-Sept-19 12:02:33

I think the point is - we all know what we need to do to keep fit and active! Don’t need to be told again and again.... so agree with OP .... F. Off

merlotgran Sat 07-Sept-19 12:11:35

Oh. I've got the OP all wrong. I thought it meant the top doctors were telling us all to f**k off because they can't be bothered with us. grin

Gonegirl Sat 07-Sept-19 12:14:21

My granny had a hump. I am definitely taking on her shape.

Gagajo it's not a HUGE hump.

Gonegirl Sat 07-Sept-19 12:16:21

Yes merlot. I've just read the thread title as that myself. hmm

Gonegirl Sat 07-Sept-19 12:17:53

Oh my God. I can't believe I did that. It was quite early in the morning for me. Shall I get it changed? Or would that be like reporting myself for the naughty word?

Gonegirl Sat 07-Sept-19 12:19:45

jura it is about 'quantity' for me.

#keep breathing

GagaJo Sat 07-Sept-19 12:30:32

NOOOO, got the hump means pissed off. You quite often seem annoyed so...

Gonegirl Sat 07-Sept-19 12:33:22

If I had a thumbs up emoji on my desktop.......

BlueSky Sat 07-Sept-19 12:33:39

I walk every day and I always have. Not because I feel I must but because I enjoy doing it. I don't push myself just walk as long as I feel like it. Luckily I have no mobility or pain issues in which case it would be a different story. I don't care for any other form of excercise.

Marilla Sat 07-Sept-19 13:00:03

I would love to swim, but I can only do breaststroke and it’s a no no having sciatica.
I’m a bit fed up with different advice nearly every week from various medics via the media. I had only just heard about the ten minute walk three times a day as being a great way to keep fit......I can do that......now it’s all change.....again.....

travelsafar Sat 07-Sept-19 13:08:24

When giving all this advise about going to the gym, swimming, tai chi, pilates, yoga etc does anyone from the powers that be factor in the cost i wonder. I play bowls a couple of times a week and go to a knitting group this costs me 10.00 per week for these things, 40.00 per month. When you are on a limited budget that is a lot of money. Some pilates classes in our area are 10.00 a session, the gym charges a monthly fee and other classes are expensive too. I walk as much as i am able to, that is my main form of exercise, gardening helps too, plus a whole day is deligated to housework and i am bushed afterwards, changing bedding and fighting with duvets, hoovering dusting cleaning bathroom etc. If i had the money i would love to go to tai chi. I know there are courses on line but it is not the same as having someone telling you if you are doing moves correctly and there is no social aspect to doing it at home. If you have the money and time you could be as fit as a fiddle with all the different things available now adays. smile