So not ‘up and at ‘em’! ?

Crystal46

OK, at 61 I do my duty and get in some exercise every day, as I always have. I walk for at least 40 minutes per day, including some uphill aerobics, and 6 days a week I do floor exercises to strengthen different muscle groups.

But every day, since menopause, I just haven’t wanted to. What is this ‘exercise is energising’ lark? Really, I do it because I know that if I stop, motivation will deteriorate further. Muscles will quickly weaken. Am I saddo or what? ?

I remember reading a professional athlete writing that the hardest part of a ten-mile training run was putting on your shorts.

I don’t do any formal exercise
I walk or cycle most days, I dig my allotment and I swim
(sorry dabble around in the water) I do a lot of bending and stretching tending my garden and fetch and carry stuff to and from as I have no car I cycle with a weeks shopping on my bike (a sight to behold) 2 panniers and a big bag at back a full front basket and a big backpack on my back ? and I live in a house with two flights of stairs
I really don’t think I need any more

BlueBelle

I don’t do any formal exercise
I walk or cycle most days, I dig my allotment and I swim
(sorry dabble around in the water) I do a lot of bending and stretching tending my garden and fetch and carry stuff to and from as I have no car I cycle with a weeks shopping on my bike (a sight to behold) 2 panniers and a big bag at back a full front basket and a big backpack on my back ? and I live in a house with two flights of stairs
I really don’t think I need any more

Seriously impressed, BlueBelle! ☺️

??wow thank you I think day to day living is enough, well for me anyway
My Dad bless his heart did his quarter of an hour exercises every day ever since he was in the army at 19 even when he could barely get out of bed before he died, he said he did his exercises lying down lifting his arms and legs under the duvet

Crystal, you're definitely not on your own. I have the same problem with motivating myself, but as you say, if you stop it will create problems with fitness and muscle loss. I am planning to go to Zumba on Wednesday for the first time in about 12 months. Don't really want to go, but know it will do me good. Apart from walking daily and the occasional game of tennis, my exercise routine went right out of the window with lock down. I used to go to cross training 3 times a week, and definitely notice the difference.

It helps to be a bit forgetful and remember that what you need is upstairs and you have to fetch it.

I did start doing Qigong at the start of lockdown but have failed miserably to keep it up - available on You~Tube and strengthening exercises rather than aerobic.

It helps to be a bit forgetful and remember that what you need is upstairs and you have to fetch it.

reading that again, it doesn't make sense but I hope ykwim.

Not a saddo Crystal46.
Your post is interesting as you also say you do your duty and I know some may think there lies the problem, in that it makes the idea of exercise a chore. But if we only did what we felt we wanted to do how much would we get done?
I had an op last year that did not go as expected and has left me with problems, not least depression and anxiety as well as the physical side.
I've tried to force myself most days to do about 40 mins of walking - - I'm lucky I live on the coast. I usually feel much better afterwards even if it's shortlived. But sometimes, as yesterday I can just feel exhausted.
Husband struggling too as needs hip-replacement.
I think you do amazing, especially with floor exercises too.
One trick is telling yourself you'll only do 10 or 20 mins this time. You'll invariably do more once started.
Just keep going but don't beat yourself up about having a day off now and then. ?

Forgot to add I'm 64.

I am 75 and do weights for 30minutes 3 times a week, walk when I can including Nordic walking and do Pilates once a week. I am hoping to maintain muscle since my mastectomy.

It's hard to get into an exercise regime on your own - it always helps to have others around to encourage you, even more so if you're not doing something you enjoy. Maybe join a pilates/yoga/Tai Chi class if you want something slower and fairly gentle? Or a rumba class or something like that for something more energetic? There are lots of outside classes now, if you're worried about being indoors with others.

It also helps if you can see some improvement, so setting targets can help. As can doing different forms of exercises each day so it's not so repetitive. And never make the mistake of comparing your progress to that of other people.

No your not a saddo it’s the ageing process unfortunately. When I was young my last full time job required about a ten mile walk each day. For three nights went circuit training and aerobics. I had good strength and I was never tired.
After having my children I would often walk about four miles a day. Walking the dogs everyday a couple of miles too.
Gradually the walking reduced because of my hip so I had to slow down. After my THP it took me a while to get back to walking the dogs.
I have a bad knee now and my other hip is giving me grief. My legs feel like tonne weights some days but they are not over weight. I still walk but I pace myself now I have not got the stamina I once had. I just put it down to age if I didn’t make an effort my joints would give up. I suggest you keep it up as much as you can but don’t push yourself too far.

Crystal I only started exercising by regular walking, in my 50s and now some 20 years later am so pleased I did, and regret not starting it earlier. My longest walks are about 7 or 8 miles but generally it’s 4 or 5. I can walk further now than I could 20 years ago.
I know people in their 80s who are still very fit, some of them fitter than others years younger, and these mostly have been active all their lives.
At 61 you are still young( ish) so my advice is that well known adage, use it or lose it.

I know I should do more, but generally, I find exercise for its own sake very boring. Like many, I am on the move all day, lifting and bending, walking the dog etc. I would prefer to sit and read more, sit and eat more, sit and drink more wine, but I try to do less of that than I would like to, in an effort to balance out the lack of organised exercise. A wise woman once remarked Everything I enjoy is either illegal, immoral or fattening. Not sure about the illegal or immoral bit, but the rest is true.

Crystal I probably do the same amount and type of exercise as you. It’s tedious but necessary. Hasfit on YouTube is quite motivating with a whole variety of different length exercise videos .....45 mins if I feel lively (not often) or 10 mins if not.

I do about the same amount of walking, and do yoga and some weight bearing exercises. I admit I am not fond of doing the weights, but I love my yoga days, and appreciate what it does to keep me flexible and strong.

I am was early menopause at 42, so I am at a higher risk of osteoporosis. So I do what I should now at nearly 60, but really would rather curl up on the couch with a book.

I received an email yesterday asking me to run for Alzheimer’s. My comment that I couldn’t run to save my life was greeted with much hilarity by my OH.
I have never been keen on physical exercise though during lockdown we did participate in geriatric gymnastics with Joe Wickes. It was 20 mins of torture every day and I didn’t feel any better for it.
At least every bit of me is working and unlike many of my peers I haven’t needed bits replaced.