Diet and fitness regime for the 60's.

[McFarland_12]

I'm new here, I have suffered several health scares over the past six years. I am looking to lose a little weight, lower my cholesterol levels and increase my mobility. I suffer some sort of imbalance and so excercise has decreased over the past six years which has lead to slight weight gain. Gentle excercise to begin with and then increasing it as I get fitter. You help and advice will be invaluable too me. Thank you.

[PhilFreeToAsk]

For exercise consider a good Tai Chi class. There are many day time and evening classes and is ideal for people who are not use to exercising.

The gentle slow movements allows your body to slowly increase flexibility. It improves balance (Tai Chi is recommended by National Osteoporosis Society) plus your health and wellbeing.

[McFarland_12 in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

Thanks Phil, I love exercise as I used to ride horses and play five-a-Side football and do Aikido; mind and body co-ordination. Due to some sort of trauma my balance isn't as it should be. Thanks for the Tai Chi idea, I'm making the enquiries.

[ceejayblue in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

I started a Tai Chi class today! I'm 65, overweight with arthritic knees and T2 diabetic. I'm definitely going back again. I also do Bodyblade (a piece of excerise equipment) and Leslie Sansone in Home Walking videos and also walk the dog every day.

[McFarland_12 in reply to ceejayblue]

Are you in the Plymouth area ?

[ceejayblue in reply to McFarland_12]

No, I live in SE London.

[PhilFreeToAsk in reply to McFarland_12]

I also live in London. But I had a look in the Plymouth area and found this class tamartaichiqigong.com/qigon...

I practise both Tai Chi 24 and Taiji Qigong (Shibashi). I can recommend Shibashi and you are likely to get health benefits earlier from Qigong. I found learning both Tai Chi and Qigong together proved beneficial and enjoyable.

[McFarland_12 in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

Thank you very much for the info. I'm grateful for your help.

[McFarland_12 in reply to McFarland_12]

Just sent them an Email via your link. Much appreciated.

[IndigoBlue61]

Age is no barrier to health and fitness 😊 If anything it's an advantage because we have more patience and also appreciate our bodies that have carried us around for years 😊

I recommend the weight loss forum for support with this aspect 😊 With regards to exercise, little and often is the key, just more moving for whatever reason, climbing stairs, pegging out washing, dancing round the kitchen to the radio 😊

Good luck

[McFarland_12 in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Thanks Anna, I'm looking at the weight loss forum.

[Jennymary]

Don't know whereabouts in the world you are, but here in Bristol, UK, there is a GP referral scheme for Exercise, may be worth looking to see if there's one in your area, I did it a few years ago, its 12 weeks, you go at your own pace, instructors have the extra qualification to help people with health issues, and I really enjoyed it, there's always someone to talk to, I wish you well

[McFarland_12 in reply to Jennymary]

Plymouth Jennymary, but, I will make enquiries to see if we have anything like this here. Excellent idea actually, especially as you have an instructor. What better motivation. Thank you for this advice.

[Bazza1234]

At age 67 - 3 years ago, I had something of an epiphany - and started to learn how to run. I could never run when I was younger - but there is a lot of info on the internet for beginners. I was a very old beginner. Since then I have run (slowly) 2500 klms - have run 74x 5k parkruns, 3x10K "races", the famous Sydney City to Surf 14klm fun run and 2x 21.1 klm half marathons. I run the longer runs using a short ratio run/walk strategy (run for one minute and walk for 30 seconds.). Practically all of my older friends say they they "cannot" run and that is what I used to think - but now it is my passion. I so much enjoy the company of the younger people at parkrun and those older runners/walkers who participate - I feel like I have been "reborn" !!