The absolute best way I know of to get old before your time is to stop moving.
This is something my wife Kathy and I talk about often. We’ll see old folks sitting on their porches, staring off into space, eyes unfocused. These are usually people who move from their bed to the kitchen table to the couch to the porch. Then they’ll reverse the process.
It’s so easy for this to happen. As we age, more effort is involved in simple tasks like going up and down the stairs. It can be daunting to give in to the temptation to sit down or lay down.
The Bible says to resist the devil, and he’ll flee from you. I think the same can happen if you resist the urge to stay, rather than move. It’s an urge that whispers in your ear: “It’s too hard. You’re too old. Take a shortcut.”
No shortcuts, friends.
Note that I’m not suggesting that you need to start training for ultra-marathons or cross-country bike rides. Just doing things like walking around your house (the outside), walking up and down the street, and taking the stairs even when you don’t have to all contribute to a healthier body and life.
An Attitude, Not an Age
We get old when we start to tell ourselves that we don’t have the energy to take a walk and see the sunset or sunrise. It’s that very attitude that makes us old. I think the attitude leads to the age, not the other way around.
Now of course if you have a handicap or injury or other debilitating situation, this advice doesn’t apply. But if you’re physically able, you should be moving.
Kathy’s a runner. I’m a cyclist. We try to get in at least three workouts per week, and my goal is four or more rides. It doesn’t always happen, but I prioritize it, and it’s been remarkably good at keeping me feeling young. It’s the same for Kathy.
Moving our bodies makes us feel vigorous, free, alive. We feel like we’re participating in life, not just reclining in our chairs, watching it go by the front window.
If you can do serious exercise, that’s great. If you can’t do much more than walk to the mailbox and back, then do that. And do it several times per day. If you develop the habit, you’ll soon find yourself seeking out other places to walk, and more ways to move.
Maybe you’ll get a pair of running or hiking shoes. Maybe you’ll subscribe to “Outside” magazine. These are the things that happen when you start to become a mover. You’ll be thinking younger and acting younger.
Then you may move on to things like hiking or running or getting on a bike. Maybe not—it might be that lots of walking is your thing, and you love it. And that’s perfect.
Don’t accept that you’re too old to move.
Resist. With everything you’ve got.
I am 67, wife 66. We both walk 7 days a week unless raining heavily. Min 5,000 steps, usually over 10,000 steps.
And I do weight training at gym 3 times a week.
My parents became couch patotoes after retirement. It was not good for them. And I see older folks all around us who lack movement and exercise. Their bodies atrophy.
You are echoing much current research as well as what works. Thanks