You do you and I’ll do me!

By 60plus&lovinglife November 4, 2022 0

Unwanted 0pinions!

I was having coffee with a friend yesterday and we were chatting about our interests. I’d been to the gym that morning and he commented that I seem to go to the gym a lot. I’m like mmhmm and I run, swim and dance. I’m very active and I like to stay fit and healthy, for me it helps with the ageing process and I feel better for working on my fitness. He then asked if it was an “escape.” I’m like huh? I was feeling a bit annoyed at this stage as there was a level of judgement coming through. I said, no, it’s not an escape, I actually enjoy staying fit and healthy.

He then said that people can take it too far. I’m not sure what he meant by that, however I said what I do to stay fit and healthy and strong is for me. I don’t comment or pass judgement on other people’s choices, I’m not the “fitness or health police”. But I was feeling like I had to justify what I do with my life.

He then told me a story of a dear friend of his who died suddenly (helicopter accident). He said his friend was really fit and only ate healthy food and didn’t drink alcohol. He then said “If my friend were still alive, I’m sure he’d say he wished he’d eaten more burgers and junk food!”

Alrighty. I offered my condolences, because it was sad that his friend had passed. I didn’t say anything else as it seemed as if he was using that story to again throw shade on my fit and healthy lifestyle. But I can for sure, hand on heart, say that if I died suddenly; I definitely would not think with my last breath on earth that I should have eaten more burgers! I would hope I had time to have a final thought of love for my daughter and gratitude for my life.

Find your own path in life and let me follow mine!

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health and fitness

Muscle tone as you get older…

By 60plus&lovinglife October 29, 2022October 28, 2022 0

The importance of muscle tone for older folk!

I wasn’t sure whether to categorize this under health & fitness or musings on ageing… it’s kinda both

I was at the pool today soaking up some sun and contemplating a swim and listening to one of my favourite health podcasts. They were talking about the importance of muscle tone for people as they get older, citing research that shows that muscle-mass decreases over the age of 30. They then went on to talk about what one can do in one’s 30s, 40s and 50s to keep and improve muscle tone.

And here’s me invisible and 64! I mean, they didn’t have to include discussion of us older ones, but it’s like there was a cut-off point in the conversation. They didn’t say “those over 50”. It was very much up to and in your 50s. Perhaps they think it’s too late for us! 😂

Part of the conversation was about women being concerned about becoming too “bulky” or being too “muscly” and thus frightened of weight/strength training. I guess that is still a thing for some women, but not for me and I would encourage every woman to consider some form of strength training. Having strong muscles means I can have an active, hectic and fun life! It means my lower back is fine as I have a strong core and abdominal muscles. Heck, my lower back is better in my 60s than it was in my 30s when I only swam for exercise.

Once I hit 40, I included regular weight and strength training every week (in addition to my cardio/running) and I can tell you that I certainly have not bulked up (not that there is anything wrong with that if someone is keen to gain more muscle mass). I am strong and I am toned. I am fit and I can run, jump, swim, cycle, dance, lift weights and sleep!

I also throw in a balance class each week, that is a mixture of yoga, pilates and balance exercises. It’s important to stay stretchy, flexible and balanced on your feet the older you get.

Podcast over, time to jump in the pool for my 20 laps! 🏊‍♀️