Making time to exercise is key to long-term longevity and wellbeing.

The average age of death 200 years ago was 45-50 years! Death being caused from malnutrition, childbirth, poor healthcare, disease (e.g typhoid). In my case I would have probably been burned at the stake as a witch!

In the 2020’s many of us will hopefully live another 30-40 years on this.

This then leaves aging people with a plethora of potential “modern health issues” that previously were not seen. Some cancers, dementia, heart disease and diabetes spring to mind here.

In women menopause is a relatively new concept. With perimenopause lasting from age 40+ , historically many women would never have lived long enough to go through that stage in their life. In 2024 most women are living 30-40 years beyond menopause. The loss of oestrogen after menopause has an impact on health - particularly a loss of bone density and increase in heart disease.

Regardless of gender, scheduling exercise into your daily life is crucial for healthy ageing. Not only to prevent disease but to keep you mobile for active daily living - being able to play with your children/grandchildren, carrying the shopping, getting in and out of the car, preventing falls.

Exercise does not need to be brutal to be effective. You need to be thinking:

⛹🏻Aerobic (for heart and lungs).

🏋🏽Strength (for increased muscle).

🏄‍♀️Balance (for stability)

🤸🏿Flexibility (for mobility )

You should schedule 30 minutes per day.

This can include activities such walking, gardening, golf, cycling, yoga, Pilates, aerobic classes, jogging, lifting weights, playing with your kids, ball sports, online classes.

Most of all exercise should be enjoyable. Find something you like and make sure you budget some money to pay for a class or a good pair of trainers.

Embrace the burn, the sweat and the exertion. You do not have to feel like you have to puke or faint. Enjoy the aches the next day - it’s a sign that your body is working well. Notice how much better you feel for exercising. Don’t quit when you have a bad day or “can’t be bothered”….set exercise as a daily “must go habit” ….as important as washing, brushing your teeth, eating and drinking.

🔹Need help getting back into your fitness journey?

You may need to speak to your GP for advice about your health and where to start.

🔹Struggling with muscular pain?

Find a good physio, osteopath or soft tissue therapist.

🔹Feel like you don’t know where to start and don’t like the idea of a group? Contact a personal trainer.

🔹Need a group setting and want to make friends?

Go to a class!

Need advice - just ask !