Exercise keeps you young (if you're a mouse)

[Meadbh]

Exercise best anti-aging treatment, study suggests

OK everyone......off to the gym......or out for a walk!

 

[WhoDaresWins]

I believe it. Most of the very old spry people I see are skinny. I feel better about braving the ice storm this afternoon to go to the gym on my President's Day holiday. I think when one is thin, one looks younger, too, although that is not as important to me as functionality. I have to take off the extra 10 pounds I am carrying around from night time nibbling. I love my diet demons of carbs, cheese and wine, though, which makes it difficult. Must rally my will power...next month.

 

[simple girl]

I loved this quote:

"While the exercised mice scampered and scurried about their cages, the aging non-runners huddled in a corner, barely moving."


I hope to scampering and scurrying as much as possible as I age!

 

[brewer12345]

Gives me a smidge more motivation to roll out of bed at 5:20 to hit the gym before work.

 

[W2R]

Like many of us some days I'm a real gym rat, and then there are days like today...

I dragged myself off to the gym this morning, and struggled to complete the most perfunctory of workouts. I didn't even feel bouncy on the way out.

Despite more or less completing my workout, I don't feel one bit younger. Oh well. There's always another day.

 

[antmary]

I better drag myself out and go for my around the neighborhood walk! Before it gets dark....

 

[LightningDawg]

exercise

I believe that every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine running around doing exercises.

Neil Armstrong

​

 

[Nords]

I loved this quote:
"While the exercised mice scampered and scurried about their cages, the aging non-runners huddled in a corner, barely moving."
I hope to scampering and scurrying as much as possible as I age!

The other side of this is wondering whether you pulled a lower-back muscle or if that's what early hip problems feel like...

 

[W2R]

The other side of this is wondering whether you pulled a lower-back muscle or if that's what early hip problems feel like...

You've been eavesdropping!

 

[braumeister]

and then there are days like today...

I dragged myself off to the gym this morning, and struggled to complete the most perfunctory of workouts.

Honestly, that's one of the most common mistakes people make, IMHO.

As we get older, we need more rest time between workouts.

In my case, I really enjoy running, and nothing pumps me up like a good 3 mile run before breakfast. Unfortunately, I've reached the point where 4-5 days a week is the max I can run. On weeks when I do a long run, I need to rest two days before and one day after.

 

[traineeinvestor]

I primarily view exercise as atonement for dietary sins.

Other noticable benefits (from a former couch potato turned into an ultra slow runner) include emotional and mental well being, not having to buy bigger clothes every few years, social interaction and keeping my physio gainfully employed.

 

[braumeister]

I believe that every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine running around doing exercises.

Neil Armstrong

​

That is such a common thought, but just for the record, I would like to point out that vigorous exercise that raises your hear rate significantly does NOT "use up" that lifetime supply.

What happens is that your cardiovascular system gets stronger and more efficient, so your resting heart rate is significantly lower. Since most of your time is spent at the lower rate (not doing exercise), the overall total is less if you're a regular exerciser.

In my case, my resting heart rate is 56, which is pretty decent for a guy in his mid sixties.

 

[traineeinvestor]

Honestly, that's one of the most common mistakes people make, IMHO.

As we get older, we need more rest time between workouts.

In my case, I really enjoy running, and nothing pumps me up like a good 3 mile run before breakfast. Unfortunately, I've reached the point where 4-5 days a week is the max I can run. On weeks when I do a long run, I need to rest two days before and one day after.

I haven't got to that stage yet (only 45), but some of my older friends who have had to cut back on the running to 3-4 days a week have told me that doing different exercises (swimming, biking walking, weights, yoga etc) once or twice a week with only 1-2 days of complete rest is better than complete rest for 3-4 days.

 

[W2R]

Honestly, that's one of the most common mistakes people make, IMHO.

As we get older, we need more rest time between workouts.

In my case, I really enjoy running, and nothing pumps me up like a good 3 mile run before breakfast. Unfortunately, I've reached the point where 4-5 days a week is the max I can run. On weeks when I do a long run, I need to rest two days before and one day after.

Thanks - - my post just wasn't clear (oops). We only go on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so I hadn't been to the gym since Friday. I was probably too tired to go because I hadn't slept well. Plus, my hip (or is it my back?) has been giving me a hard time and making it hard to sleep. Anyway, I had to cut out the hip adductor/abductor machines and the back extension machine, and I also cut out the Concept 2 rowing maching for good measure in case it was straining my back. I did about 15 other machines and rode the exercycle for the same period of time but dialed back the resistance quite a bit.

 

[antmary]

I think that chronic toxic stress is the big killer, even more so than lack of exercise.

 

[Alan]

That is such a common thought, but just for the record, I would like to point out that vigorous exercise that raises your hear rate significantly does NOT "use up" that lifetime supply.

What happens is that your cardiovascular system gets stronger and more efficient, so your resting heart rate is significantly lower. Since most of your time is spent at the lower rate (not doing exercise), the overall total is less if you're a regular exerciser.

In my case, my resting heart rate is 56, which is pretty decent for a guy in his mid sixties.

I agree.

I used to have an annual physical with resting ecg. At age 47 I began a program of diet and exercise which helped me lose 40lb in 12 months, and my resting heart rate came dowm from low 70's to 55. I have continued the daily exercise and year by year my resting heart rate has come down. At my last physical at work the Doc, who knew I was retiring, made sure he included a note to the effect that my resting heart rate of 39 was normal, and confirmed by a treadmill test.

I believe that getting my heart rate up for 30 - 60 mins a few days a week with some vigorous exercise actually reduces my overall number of beats.

 

[simple girl]

The other side of this is wondering whether you pulled a lower-back muscle or if that's what early hip problems feel like...

Sadly, that is a pretty good description of me some days already.

 

[deserat]

Ahh yes, aging - my husband went to play badminton the other night after not having played for quite awhile - he was fine that evening, the next morning and few days, he was crippled up - I've noticed that I need to rest a bit more between strenuous bouts of exercise as I get older. I don't bounce back as quickly......but it is still imperative to keep moving in some form or fashion.

 

[HFWR]

I think that chronic toxic stress is the big killer, even more so than lack of exercise.

aka "w*rk"...

 

[Cattusbabe]

I'm a believer. I started a fitness program with my sister just after I FIREed six years ago. My stamana and flexability has markedly improved. We work out 4 to 5 days per week doing aerobics three days and strength training two days.

My main problem has been the fork work ie losing weight. My exercise only brought the persistent gains to a halt but nothing more. I have been working on the diet part of the equation and the weight is just coming off like crazy. Yay.

I feel better now than when I was in my forties. I was dangerous in my forties. Guess I'm getting a do over.

 

[bright eyed]

Well, I can tell you our lil tiny hamsters (robo dwarf) run all night long...and they are very healthy

But then again, they sleep aaaaall day..

I, on the other hand - am far too sendentary and have at least committed to yoga once per week and daily short walks taking kid to school...trying to up the frequency if I can find another good regular spot in the schedule to do something.

Other than that trying to heed the latest news buzz about "getting up" every hour or so since I can get planted on my behind in front of the laptop for hours at a time if work is busy.

 

[HFWR]

The primary takeaway from "Younger Next Year" is that, especially after 50 or so, the body is either growing or decaying, based on the signals it gets. Sofa surfing is sending which signal?

 

[Pete]

Dan Buettner: How to live to be 100+ | Video on TED.com

 

[TromboneAl]

I believe it. Most of the very old spry people I see are skinny.

This study actually said nothing about weight. I actually think it's pretty likely that exercise, in itself, does not lead to weight loss. It just makes you build up an appetite (see this, for example).

I do think exercising helps counteract aging, as does being thin. My unified theory is that both exercising a lot and being thin stresses your body. The things your body does as a result of that stress counteract aging. Things like having more HDL (good) cholesterol.

Concerning the need for rest days...

I used to believe in rest days, and exercised every other day for years. It may be true that that's best.

However, after reading Younger Next Year , I was convinced that six days/week is best, at least for people over 50.

Here's an excerpt, in which they discuss this issue. The "tide" is a metaphor for the force that is dragging you towards the "beach" of old age.

 

[Alan]

Thanks Al. I couldn't agree more, and Younger Next Year is a book that changed my attitude on exercise. Getting in an hour of exercise 6 days a week was a real problem when I was working, but this last year it has been easy peasy lemon squeezy.