Loved, loved reading this Lily 🥰 I am also 66 and decided long ago that i will not be defeated by a number. Exercise and good diet is key, followed by not giving a toss what anyone else thinks and doing exactly what pleases me. As I have less time ahead, I cherish with more intent and have become quite good at saying no to things. Let’s grow older having fun.
Oh yes!! Its a big thing, saying no to things and I'm always up for fun! If we can't enjoy ourselves now, when can we xx exercise and good diet are the absolute cornerstones of staying as healthy as possible
Hello from USA I am comming up on my bday in April turning 62 and have reached a crossroad in my life, that is surprising yet enticing point I had not foreseen yet welcome...I am in better shape than at any other phase and I've been 100 lbs l8ghter and kept it off for 5 years now...the blessings of hormones! And after an injury I began spending all my free moments outside pushing my limits while doing a make over mowing shed into My own little She Shed Sanctuary..and I was determined to do it all without help but surrendered to a couple things out of my capabilities..after trying and failing so many times...My husband was glad to help but only when asked...(I'm a little stubborn and need my space) and it is one of my favorite things about him...he is not phased by my behavior when I'm frustrated exhausted angry and .....sigh intolerable.. tis true....though hard to admit..but such is life..
That's fantastic that you're taking such good care of yourself. It's not inevitable that we all slide into poor health. I think we all need a sanctuary and your She She'd sounds perfect.
Pre-covid I was at the gym 4/5 times per week doing Insanity, Body Pump, lifting weights ... lockdown took that all away from me. I'm not a self-motivator, I don't like working out at home, and I detest running ;-) So I've become very sedentary these last few years, especially as I work at a desk most of the time and am studying for a PhD outside work. My gym closed and I never found another one with the classes I enjoyed at times I could go.
However, I start a new job soon which means a 15-20 minute walk each way whenever I am in work. If WFH I have a 25-30 minute triangular walking route I can take. I'm hoping that this extra activity will kick start me into more exercise and I may be able motivate myself to find a suitable gym where I can start lifting weights again. Because I do miss lifting weights.
I'm over the tipping point to 60 and I want to be as active as my nana who was still going dancing at 90+, I want to have fun, grow older disgracefully, and to do that I need to keep my body in tune.
Can you go dancing too? That's such good exercise. Your family has good genes if your granny is still up and lively at 90. Walking is excellent exercise and you can char to people while you're out. Do you have a dog?
No dog ... I'm living between two cities at the moment so it's not practical sadly. Neither is finding places to go dancing (though I'd love to start tap dancing lessons again).
Started the new job this week - I've more than doubled the amount of steps I used to do each day! Once I get used to the new routines and my body has stopped complaining I will see where else I can stay active.
So much resonating here! Definitely the feeling at 64 that the final horizon is closer than I’d like it to be; that taking care of my health is super important and only I can do that; that I can finally write my book and my book proposal is half way there, AND that I need at least 30 more years to get through my fabric stash 😂
It's definitely the time when you have to have a word with yourself and say that you really need to be getting on with those long held dreams! Happily, a lot of women are now living into their 90s so with a bit of luck we should get through those stashes 😉
Thank you Lily! Love your complete no-nonsense approach to things in life and downright practical and useful advice on ageing. Thank you for the mention. That's so kind of you.
I'm a no nonsense kind of person 😀. Seriously, it's so important not to think getting older means getting less able to do things. I'm always happy to promote your lovely account
Hello, well I didn't know that if I made it to 70 unscathed, things might go well in the decades thereafter. I am a 61 year old yoga teacher, and have learned maintaining an upright posture means a smaller chance of falling. Stretching and keeping things loose are so important for keeping yourself mobile. Plus, can you get yourself up from the floor? Anyway, interesting post. I look forward to reading more of your work. I just subscribed :)
It could be that if you set up good habits in your 60s, that it definitely helps going forward. Yoga is do good for strength and suppleness and it can be done by people of all ages. You're so right that you need to get up off the floor! Falling over is a big problem if bones are weaker so it's ultra important to maintain balance as much as possible. I've stopped rushing about and I pay much more attention to where I'm putting my feet. I was always falling off pavements. I've also stopped wearing a beloved pair of wedge shoes since a tiny kink in a paving stone threw me sideways.
I'm 76 and I, too, write about living life to the full in our older age by taking good care of our health and wellbeing. Leaving it to chance doesn't give us much hope for a good life. Scientists tell us it's 20% down to our genes and 80% to lifestyle so we need get active as you are suggesting, Lily. Thank you for a very enjoyable post.
Lol the yarn stash! Gonna search you on Ravelry. But ... There may be no pissy toddlers in your life, but how about incontinent elders? Being 60, for many, is a time of having to offer support to elders whose health is very much fading. Some of my mates are over 70 and their lives are taken up with caring for parents in their 90s who are now deeply dependent. I have no answers, just this observation.
Many of my friends have elder parents and in laws and their care is taking a toll, physically emotionally and financially. Our parents were nearly 40 when they had us so unfortunately we lost them a while ago. Sometimes we open our mouths and our parents come out, so they are always with us.
Oh, this is wonderful Lily. Thank you. You hit the nail on the head. So much of social media discourse on ageing focuses on just the physical aspects as if that's all there is. But I hadn't really thought of it like that before. I love the snipers alley analogy though - that's fantastic
Exactly! Thank you and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I have Lindsay to thank for the snipers alley analogy haha. I was rather alarmed by the healthy life expectancy ending at about 62.
There's so much to think about here Lily! Well done with the couch to 5k, I've done it a couple of times but I must say I really don't like running! We can only do so much to help ourselves then as you say it's the luck of the draw! Perhaps I might get myself a bullet proof vest to get through sniper's alley. Thank you so much for the mention, that's very kind of you. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. x
Well done Lily, I love that you put on lipstick to run and smile at people as you go by! I live in a very active community so the 75 - 80 year old folks around here are hiking hills and doing yoga. When my patients move here from the city and tell me they are 60 I ask them "Do you know what average sixty-year-olds do in this valley?" Healthy living is contagious. There is a study (forgive me, I can't cite it right now) about the biggest predictor of being overweight is if your spouse and friends are overweight. You will be showing everyone around you how to live differently!
I resonate with a lot of what you wrote! I'll be 64 next week & I've always found running to be an easy way for me to get back in shape because I can do it anywhere and I can start very slow, just 15mn at first if I'm really out of shape, and I like how it builds up stamina quickly of I stick to it. I stick to it by signing up for a local run, it started with the 5k La Parisienne (I live in France). Running with thousands of women in Paris is a great experience! After that, I run the 10k in my local city. And then I ride horseback all winter.
But I can understand people who feel that running isn't for them. It's important to find a physical activity that you like doing...
Loved, loved reading this Lily 🥰 I am also 66 and decided long ago that i will not be defeated by a number. Exercise and good diet is key, followed by not giving a toss what anyone else thinks and doing exactly what pleases me. As I have less time ahead, I cherish with more intent and have become quite good at saying no to things. Let’s grow older having fun.
Oh yes!! Its a big thing, saying no to things and I'm always up for fun! If we can't enjoy ourselves now, when can we xx exercise and good diet are the absolute cornerstones of staying as healthy as possible
Hello from USA I am comming up on my bday in April turning 62 and have reached a crossroad in my life, that is surprising yet enticing point I had not foreseen yet welcome...I am in better shape than at any other phase and I've been 100 lbs l8ghter and kept it off for 5 years now...the blessings of hormones! And after an injury I began spending all my free moments outside pushing my limits while doing a make over mowing shed into My own little She Shed Sanctuary..and I was determined to do it all without help but surrendered to a couple things out of my capabilities..after trying and failing so many times...My husband was glad to help but only when asked...(I'm a little stubborn and need my space) and it is one of my favorite things about him...he is not phased by my behavior when I'm frustrated exhausted angry and .....sigh intolerable.. tis true....though hard to admit..but such is life..
That's fantastic that you're taking such good care of yourself. It's not inevitable that we all slide into poor health. I think we all need a sanctuary and your She She'd sounds perfect.
Pre-covid I was at the gym 4/5 times per week doing Insanity, Body Pump, lifting weights ... lockdown took that all away from me. I'm not a self-motivator, I don't like working out at home, and I detest running ;-) So I've become very sedentary these last few years, especially as I work at a desk most of the time and am studying for a PhD outside work. My gym closed and I never found another one with the classes I enjoyed at times I could go.
However, I start a new job soon which means a 15-20 minute walk each way whenever I am in work. If WFH I have a 25-30 minute triangular walking route I can take. I'm hoping that this extra activity will kick start me into more exercise and I may be able motivate myself to find a suitable gym where I can start lifting weights again. Because I do miss lifting weights.
I'm over the tipping point to 60 and I want to be as active as my nana who was still going dancing at 90+, I want to have fun, grow older disgracefully, and to do that I need to keep my body in tune.
Can you go dancing too? That's such good exercise. Your family has good genes if your granny is still up and lively at 90. Walking is excellent exercise and you can char to people while you're out. Do you have a dog?
Chat! Not char. Weight lifting is so good for bone strength. I do hope you can find a gym you enjoy.
No dog ... I'm living between two cities at the moment so it's not practical sadly. Neither is finding places to go dancing (though I'd love to start tap dancing lessons again).
Started the new job this week - I've more than doubled the amount of steps I used to do each day! Once I get used to the new routines and my body has stopped complaining I will see where else I can stay active.
So much resonating here! Definitely the feeling at 64 that the final horizon is closer than I’d like it to be; that taking care of my health is super important and only I can do that; that I can finally write my book and my book proposal is half way there, AND that I need at least 30 more years to get through my fabric stash 😂
It's definitely the time when you have to have a word with yourself and say that you really need to be getting on with those long held dreams! Happily, a lot of women are now living into their 90s so with a bit of luck we should get through those stashes 😉
Thank you Lily! Love your complete no-nonsense approach to things in life and downright practical and useful advice on ageing. Thank you for the mention. That's so kind of you.
I'm a no nonsense kind of person 😀. Seriously, it's so important not to think getting older means getting less able to do things. I'm always happy to promote your lovely account
Hello, well I didn't know that if I made it to 70 unscathed, things might go well in the decades thereafter. I am a 61 year old yoga teacher, and have learned maintaining an upright posture means a smaller chance of falling. Stretching and keeping things loose are so important for keeping yourself mobile. Plus, can you get yourself up from the floor? Anyway, interesting post. I look forward to reading more of your work. I just subscribed :)
It could be that if you set up good habits in your 60s, that it definitely helps going forward. Yoga is do good for strength and suppleness and it can be done by people of all ages. You're so right that you need to get up off the floor! Falling over is a big problem if bones are weaker so it's ultra important to maintain balance as much as possible. I've stopped rushing about and I pay much more attention to where I'm putting my feet. I was always falling off pavements. I've also stopped wearing a beloved pair of wedge shoes since a tiny kink in a paving stone threw me sideways.
I'm 76 and I, too, write about living life to the full in our older age by taking good care of our health and wellbeing. Leaving it to chance doesn't give us much hope for a good life. Scientists tell us it's 20% down to our genes and 80% to lifestyle so we need get active as you are suggesting, Lily. Thank you for a very enjoyable post.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. You look wonderful!
Thank you!
Lol the yarn stash! Gonna search you on Ravelry. But ... There may be no pissy toddlers in your life, but how about incontinent elders? Being 60, for many, is a time of having to offer support to elders whose health is very much fading. Some of my mates are over 70 and their lives are taken up with caring for parents in their 90s who are now deeply dependent. I have no answers, just this observation.
Many of my friends have elder parents and in laws and their care is taking a toll, physically emotionally and financially. Our parents were nearly 40 when they had us so unfortunately we lost them a while ago. Sometimes we open our mouths and our parents come out, so they are always with us.
Oh, this is wonderful Lily. Thank you. You hit the nail on the head. So much of social media discourse on ageing focuses on just the physical aspects as if that's all there is. But I hadn't really thought of it like that before. I love the snipers alley analogy though - that's fantastic
Exactly! Thank you and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I have Lindsay to thank for the snipers alley analogy haha. I was rather alarmed by the healthy life expectancy ending at about 62.
There's so much to think about here Lily! Well done with the couch to 5k, I've done it a couple of times but I must say I really don't like running! We can only do so much to help ourselves then as you say it's the luck of the draw! Perhaps I might get myself a bullet proof vest to get through sniper's alley. Thank you so much for the mention, that's very kind of you. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. x
We can do our best to have healthy mind and body. My pleasure x
Well done Lily, I love that you put on lipstick to run and smile at people as you go by! I live in a very active community so the 75 - 80 year old folks around here are hiking hills and doing yoga. When my patients move here from the city and tell me they are 60 I ask them "Do you know what average sixty-year-olds do in this valley?" Healthy living is contagious. There is a study (forgive me, I can't cite it right now) about the biggest predictor of being overweight is if your spouse and friends are overweight. You will be showing everyone around you how to live differently!
I resonate with a lot of what you wrote! I'll be 64 next week & I've always found running to be an easy way for me to get back in shape because I can do it anywhere and I can start very slow, just 15mn at first if I'm really out of shape, and I like how it builds up stamina quickly of I stick to it. I stick to it by signing up for a local run, it started with the 5k La Parisienne (I live in France). Running with thousands of women in Paris is a great experience! After that, I run the 10k in my local city. And then I ride horseback all winter.
But I can understand people who feel that running isn't for them. It's important to find a physical activity that you like doing...