I was going to call this Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc but the title I’ve used is an abbreviation of that. Apparently. It’s a phrase I only know from watching The West Wing. I don’t think it’s actually the right phrase for what I’m trying to say here, but the only other one I can think of is something from the lessons we had at school when computers were first being introduced in the mid 1980s… IF <something> THEN <something else>. Clear as mud?
Which doesn’t bring me to my point which is actually about exercise, fitness and ageing.
I started going to over-50s exercise classes a couple of months ago. My main motivating factor was that they were being held IN MY SUBURB…. or at least the neighbouring one. Small group, low impact, inexpensive. So, perfect.
It took me a couple of weeks to get myself there. Even though we weren’t COVID-riddled here there were still restrictions so we need to book in, take our own hand weights etc. The classes are low key and held at an old hall (or outside under a shelter).
Interestingly I’m one of the youngest there. I think most participants (mostly women but a couple of men) are over 60 and probably closer to, or over, 70. The other not-so-fun-fact is that I’m also the biggest (or one of the biggest there). Most of the others are quite slim or have skinny legs and that slightly ’rounded’ body that seems to come with menopause, ageing or having kids etc…
I don’t feel self-conscious as such, but I confess to a sense of envy that these other women don’t struggle with big thighs, fat knees and bouncing boobs. Many of the women talk about aqua aerobics and gardening. They’re often absent from classes for jaunts in their caravans and I get a sense they’re very active.
Several weeks after I started classes I ventured to the local shopping centre during a busy time*. And, I saw a lot of women my age or older who were very big. Very unfit. Unhealthy looking. And because I’d convinced myself I was surrounded by older, fitter and healthier women I noticed this was (in fact) not actually the case.
And logically of course I knew that. That there were a heap of overweight, unhealthy older people… perhaps even worse than moi. It was just that—for a while—I wasn’t seeing any.
It seems kinda obvious now as I ponder exercise, fitness and ageing. I realise the group of women who attend my exercise classes are not representative of ‘older women’ in general. They’re there because they’re committed to their health and fitness. They’re not-overweight because they exercise. They (we) may only be ‘marching’ not running and doing pushups against walls rather than on the ground, but they’re there. It’s not a coincidence I realise. But some sort of causality (IF…. THEN!). And I remind myself there’s a lesson there.
I should mention I’m injured at the moment and I am so paranoid about my motivation or loss of momentum that I kept going after I first hurt my achilles tendon, worried I was using it as an excuse to be slack – which of course made it worse. I’m determined however to only take a week or so off to recover however and get back into it…. inspired by my older, healthier exercise buddies.
Are you an exerciser? Are you consistently active or are you like me… exercising in fits and starts when trying to be healthier?
* I usually go late or early when no one is around.
Image: @rollelflex_graphy726 via Unsplash
November 16, 2020
I am an exerciser. And I hate it. Every single wretched moment. But I show up. And I’ve been showing up for 20 years. I treat exercise like brushing my teeth or doing my tax – just get it done. There are plenty of times I go to gym and only put in 50% effort, but I figure 50% is better than 0%, and it keeps the momentum going – much harder to restart after a break than it is to just keep showing up. So hang in there, and know that part of success is showing up.
November 17, 2020
I’ve got into exercising routines in the past and sometimes gone every weekday or several times a week but usually something happens and I quit. I’m not minding these current classes I’m doing but also wish I could get myself to just go walking or something.
November 16, 2020
Hi Deb – I’m a walker (got to do something to keep the weight under control as the metabolism slowly heads south). I also go to an over 50’s exercise class that is full of women well into their 70’s who are mostly in good shape. When I look around me at the shops there are a LOT of obese young women and I wonder what the future holds for them – it’s so hard to get the weight off and the risk for them is that they’ll just keep getting bigger – that’s a very scary scenario.
I’ll never be a fitness fanatic, but I’m doing my best to maintain a “move it or lose” it mindset and my fitbit has been a huge incentive to keep me accountable. If you don’t have one, I’d highly recommend one – even a cheapie off ebay is better than not using one (or thinking that your phone app is good enough – it’s not).
November 17, 2020
I have a Fitbit Leanne and used to manage 8000-10000 steps a day but my target at the moment is only 5000 and I only reach that the three days I go to exercise class. I have a bad habit of spending too much time at my desk so often it’ll be lunchtime and I’ll have done 300 steps – just to and from the fridge for diet cokes over a four or five hour period!
November 16, 2020
Hi Deb, I like to walk, run and cycle but recently had issues with my knee (actually the bursa below my knee) which impacted on me running/walking briskly and I missed it a lot! Luckily I could still cycle without causing any distress otherwise I may have gone a bit mad. I enjoy the getting out on my own and clearing my head aspect of walking in the forest – no-one is around me except bounding kangaroos, I can sing out loud if i want to, and I get my daily does of 30 mins + exercise. Thankfully my leg issue is coming good and I’e been able to do short walks lately and I can’t wait for aqua aerobics to start up.
I applaud your efforts and understand not wanting to use the injury as an excuse. #lifethisweek
November 17, 2020
I think I said below / above that I’m not minding these current classes I’m attending but it’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed exercise. I used to like some dance classes when I used to go to the gym regularly but not sure there’s anything similar locally and suspect I’m not fit enough at the moment and would probably injure myself more!
November 16, 2020
I feel a bit guilty responding to this post because as you know, I am an exerciser. And I enjoy it for the most part. Sure, there are days when I’m not feeling it or don’t push myself as hard as I normally do but it’s the habit of showing up and doing it as opposed to not. I’m a big believer though in doing the type of exercise you enjoy – or at least making sure you do that more often than the ones you don’t enjoy. And I also believe in setting realistic goals. One of the things I’ve learnt though is it’s not about motivation. Rather, it’s about making it a habit. I know if occasionally I don’t go to the gym in the morning, I feel less grounded that day and blah for the most part. It’s a habit/routine that’s part of my life and it sets the tone for the day. So yeah, just show up. Do what you can. Eventually, it’ll become habitual.
November 17, 2020
Yes, before I took my redundancy from government in Brisbane I worked at a place that had a gym under the building and I blocked out time each lunch to go to a class. Everyone knew I’d be red-faced at any afternoon meetings but it didn’t matter and it was great because the weekend would come and I’d have done five classes at the gym so didn’t need to stress about doing anything on the weekend.
November 16, 2020
I am an exerciser. I run and I love it. It is a coincidence that I read this post this morning because I was just thinking about this topic last night. We visited my sister-in-law, who struggles with her weight. She made the comment that she can’t drink regular coffee 2 days in a row because she still feels the effect of caffeine from the coffee she drank the first day on the second day. I realized she must have slow metabolism. She doesn’t metabolize that caffeine very quickly. I wondered then if she is overweight because her metabolism is slow or if her metabolism is slow because she is overweight and doesn’t move around very much. It’s probably a vicious cycle. Anyway…sorry for going off on a tangent…I hope your injury heals quickly and you can return to your class. I think not only does exercise make you feel good, it makes you feel good about yourself!
November 17, 2020
Ah yes, my metabolism isn’t great but it’s more because I’ve spent 37+ years yo-yo dieting. I was anorexic as a teenager, later bulimic and then a binge eater. And went on many many diets and lost lots of weight but always gained more back. I’ve gained some over the past two years and need to do something about it before it balloons out of control again. It’s something I struggle with as – because of that history – my weight gain / loss isn’t as logical as I would like it to be.
November 16, 2020
I am shockingly bad about exercise, telling myself that I’m active enough with all of the keeping house with three teenagers and associated running around that (and my neurotic need to over clean and tidy) brings to each day.
November 17, 2020
One of my best friends is really lean and became more so after having kids. I’m not sure if she’s doing any formal exercise but she’s always on the go and so busy I suspect she doesn’t have time to eat as well.
November 17, 2020
That does often happen!
November 17, 2020
I’m an exerciser. I’ve made exercises part of my day and lifestyle. It’s about movements and mobility that make me feel good. It’s a privilege to be able to do a range of movements with our body.
November 17, 2020
I used to go on short walks when I lived opposite the beach and it often cleared my head. I’m at the top of a hill now so the idea of walking outside means a steep slope and I really really hate hills and steps. And for some reason, getting into my car and driving to somewhere to walk is just too much of an effort. (But I need to change that and become more active in general… not just go to / rely on my exercise classes!)
November 17, 2020
I’m a lapsed exerciser and really trying to get back into it. These days I notice I’m the biggest at the gym but I figure if I keep going, I won’t be or at least I’ll be fat but fit. Apart from the physical health benefits, I find exercise helps mental health too. I really think that exercising is like a habit and I’m (hoping) that if you do it enough, it feels natural, well that’s my theory and I’m sticking to it. Sorry to hear about your tendon – hope it’s not too ouchy and that you’re back at fitness classes soon!
November 17, 2020
My greatest advantage is that I grew up playing a lot of sport and continued that into my early twenties. And since then have been a gym-goer in fits and starts so I’m fairly coordinated and know a bit about muscle groups and correct form etc (and I attended private pilates lessons for years!). Of course generally most people don’t realise that so I’ve had instances where some instructors have been incredibly patronising because of my size… trying to explain a hook, uppercut or jab for eg.
November 18, 2020
When I did the chinese square dancing, I was the youngest by about 20 years, yet these women were fitter, more agile and monre flexible than me. I think it’s a matter of use it or lose it. SO, I’m working on it. It can be done. (By their example, not mine). For me, in this COVID world, exercise is more important for balance and stability in the brain and mood, more than shifting those stubborn lockdown pounds…You’ll get back to it – but you need to let any injuries recover….pushing thru only becomes serious damage after a certain age!!
November 18, 2020
Yes it’s a reminder that these women ARE fitter because they’re doing these kinds of things at their age. (Rather than being lazy like me at mine.) I very belatedly started treatment for my injury so I think it’ll be better soon.
November 18, 2020
Hi Deborah, I was extremely overweight until last year when I lost 19kg. I was on a Government program where I had regular phone calls from a dietician who helped me set goals and kept me accountable. My only exercise is walking. It’s run by the Qld Govt. and it’s called Get Healthy. I’m trying to get back to exercise at the moment because I’m recovering from bilateral mastectomies with complications. I started to do a bit of yoga but it caused extreme pain because the muscles in my upper body hadn’t been used for 6 months. My GP has referred me to an exercise physiologist to teach me the correct exercises to build up my upper body strength. Talk to your GP – they know where to refer you for help, whether it is a dietician, physio or whatever you need. Good luck with your exercise, regards Christina
November 18, 2020
Thanks Christina. Well done on the health and fitness program. I hadn’t known the Qld Government did something like that. I must google it!
November 18, 2020
Ah Deb, where am I? I wear an Apple Watch. I do that mostly to keep me moving and honest. I rarely do an huffy puffy walk anymore but I do move my body much more than I did in my very very overweight days. I am doing all I can with eating mindfully (it used to be mindlessly) and appreciating the wellness I feel now after the cancer recoveries and then this year’s abdominal surgeries. I know I am bigger than I was 2 years ago but not by much. I am doing my best to avoid the inner critic and reminding myself I am almost 71 and generally very well indeed. it IS always a mind game.
Thank you for linking up for #LifeThisWeek. Next week is the final #TakingStock optional prompt (still others to come!) in 2020. Hope to see you there too. Denyse.
November 18, 2020
We got my mum a fitbit earlier this year and thought it’s a pretty basic one I think it’s helped while all of her exercise classes have been on hold during COVID.
November 18, 2020
PS. I don’t think that after 70 a huffy puffy walk is really necessary as well. Just moving a little and being active at all is good I’m sure.