From the moment that we are born, we begin to age. Often each milestone is a celebration. A first birthday, the first tooth, the first day at school! The longer we live should be the greater accomplishment. Someone who reaches 100 years old often will get their picture posted in the paper. They may have a large celebration. Think of the great accomplishment it is if you know how to get in shape at 60.
Often as we age, we realize how much we could use some improvement. Maybe we have a classic muffin top or spare tire. Perhaps it is just more difficult climbing that set of stairs.
Keep a Positive Perspective
We want to be aware of our perspective as we are entering our senior years. We want to have increased happiness and satisfaction as our lifespan increases.
There are plenty of jokes about ‘old people’ who are crabby. But we enjoy being around those seniors who can still smile, laugh, and have a pleasant story or two.
As we reach our increasing lifespan, we like to look for Quality of Life. What are we doing to increase our Quality of Life?
I would like to:
- Be disease-free
- Increase my present strength
- Keep my thinking sharp
- Stay connected with the people around me
Take Action
Aging is a natural part of life. I remember saying to my mother, “Grow old gracefully”, when I was young. Now it is time for me to pay attention to that myself.
We should take responsibility to maintain our independence for as long as possible. I can think of some areas that would be helpful.
- Take advantage of preventative care. Seniors should be aware of what things are available. That would include flu shots, shingles vaccines, also mammograms, and colonoscopies, to name a few.
- See a physician when you are not feeling well.
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Some of my TOPS pals try to get their 10,000 steps by walking inside the house when it is not possible for them to get outside.
- Maintain healthy eating habits to keep your body strong.
- Get an adequate night’s rest.
- Keep a positive attitude. A good perspective on life contributes to your well-being.
- Keep up a social network. Read the newspapers, volunteer, and keep in contact with friends on a regular basis.
Age Is Not – One Size Fits All
I know of some 80 years old people who still travel the globe and are as active as some people who are in their 50s. Some people, as they age, pick up a new hobby. Some learn to play an instrument and join a band.
One man I knew of always wanted to play the trombone. After he retired, he picked up the instrument, learned how to play, and now is part of a band.
Age is a mindset. We are better off keeping our minds and hands busy. Group activities are great. It is great to still have to ‘match wits’ with our peers.
We Are What We Think
It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I am too old for that. Sure enough, we believe what we tell ourselves. Before long, we find ourselves sitting on the couch, ‘because that is what people of our age do’.
Maybe we need to get some new friends. Maybe we need to find some who like to keep their minds engaged and bodies moving. That doesn’t mean that we need to throw caution to the wind and start mountain climbing. We can change our activities at a pace that our bodies can keep up with.
Attitudes are more powerful than genes, as Christiane Northrup emphasizes. One study found that people who have a positive attitude towards life, live on average, more than seven years longer than their counterparts.”
Keep Active, Even at Home
A friend of ours has been going to the gym for years. He can lift more than many guys younger than he is. He has retired, and no longer goes to the gym. That doesn’t mean that he has to give up what he enjoys doing. He has weights at home and continues to get his exercise right at home. He has learned how to get in shape at 60.
While I have been a member of a gym 3 times during my lifetime, I went to the gym on a regular basis. However, going to the gym is not working for me at the present. Nevertheless, I have been determined that I will not let that stop me from doing whatever I can. Through trial and error, I found what has been working for me, and I have some equipment right in my own home. In nice weather, I will walk outside. When the weather is not great, I can still keep active at home.
How to Get in Shape at 60
I have to realize that my body has limitations that it did not have when I was younger. (You know you are older when your social life is planned around your trips to the doctor’s office!) That doesn’t mean I have to sit still all the time, neither does it mean that I can never put my feet up. Balance is the key. It is great to be able to enjoy my age. I have spent a lot of hard work getting to this place! I like to have time to read, get together with family and friends, time to do the things that I enjoy. But I know that if I did not get my exercise done, I would not feel as well and in the long run, my body would not thank me for it.
As a Final Note
How to get in shape at 60? Perhaps we should ban the term, “senior’s moment” from our vocabulary, and add the term “rise and shine” instead. Stay as active as you can, and keep as engaged with others as possible. Jeanne Robertson, an American humorist, admonishes us to “find the humor in our everyday situations”. “Live, Laugh. Love” is good for us all to remember.
“How you move through time is what determines how you’ll grow older” -Dr. Christiane Northrup
Disclaimer: If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. No content on this site should be substituted for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare practitioner. The information contained here is for informational purposes only. It is from my research and personal experience.
Interesting article.
My grandfather recently passed away at the age of 83 – as fit as a fiddle and didn’t look a day older than 65. I was such a good example of how to stay fit and active even if you progressed in age.
He still played darts, golf and pool volleyball with our youngsters.
Seeing how my grandfather lived his life, I can truly say that your thought about Dr. Christiane Northrup is true –
“How you move through time is what determines how you’ll grow older” -Dr. Christiane Northrup.
Thank you.
I loved your comment, Ize! That is great, to be able to be active your entire lifetime. Not everyone is that privileged, but that is what I think is to be preferred. I would like to be missed when I go!
The older we grow, the more reason we have to celebrate. I prefer to put plenty of positive effort into my living.
I’m still far off from 60, but this is a good reminder for me to set good habits now so it is easier when I am older. But this article reminds me of my dad – about to turn 60 and still in good shape!
Thanks for your comment, Zak. ‘As the twig is bent, so grows the tree’. I am not saying that you are a twig, but if we start in the right direction early enough, it makes it easier as we get older. Having good examples is so helpful as we form our own attitudes. Our social network plays a large role in that.
I have quite a few friends who are significantly older than I am and are still traveling and staying active with their friends. Preventative healthcare is also important in keeping active as long as possible.
Very informative post.
I like the fact that you say we believe what we are tell or think of ourselves. You are right people at any age shouldn’t follow what others of their age are doing because that could actually destroy you early
Yes, Thabo, it is so important to choose friends who keep us motivated in the right direction. If I sit on the couch long enough, I will soon look like a potato! We are continually holding a conversation with ourselves in our own minds. We should be our own best friend and that will help us to stay positive.
This was awesome. Super easy to follow and I think these few tips could really help to motivate me – maybe hahah – to work on getting healthier and more in shape just here at home. Or in my everyday life! Love the ideas of keeping it positive and just moving forward even if its slow progress.
Thanks for this article.
Yes, Molly, I find I become like the people that I associate with. I have a great bunch of friends who like to keep active, which seems to help us keep a positive outlook on life.
They say the windshield is larger than the rearview mirror. No matter your age, it is best to keep looking forward, because we are not traveling backwards.
Thanks, Carolyn for this awesome post. Even though I’m not a senior yet or even close to being one, a lot of the points in this article are super relatable. I love your point about age is a mindset. As a person who wants to play badminton competitively, people often tell me that I’m too old to start playing seriously which is absurd since I’m only 18. It’s definitely good for us to keep our minds and hands busy and not let traditional myths and conceptions stop us from doing what we want.
I like that phrase about “age is not – one size fits all”! And that gives each one of us a lot of responsibility concerning how we arrive at the last stage of our life. All our eating habits, exercising routines, mental activities, start showing up in these years.
Your post has been very encouraging. I have exercised a bit all my life but I would like to take it more seriously now that I have time.
Hi Abel, and thanks for stopping by with a comment. That is what I like to stress in my post. We must take care of what we have now, so it will be in the best shape to use for the longest possible time. Just like ecology of the planet, we also need ecology in taking care of our bodies. We are only given one, and want it to last as long as possible – enjoying good quality of life.