Fitness in old age.

[Venod]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37307347

This is a nice uplifting story and the guy looks amazing for his age, but working way past a retirement date is not the solution for everybody, whats wrong with retiring and enjoying it ( you have to be financially happy) you can still keep your mind and body active as a lot of us do.

When I started work at the age of 16, I remember thinking 55 would be a good age to retire, I didn't quite make it but packed in full time at 59 and completely at 62, do I miss it? no, it was only a means of paying the mortgage and raising a family, days are now spent doing what I want when I want, why work if there is no need.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Only fools and horses work.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

and dogs. and trojans. surely?

 

[MarkF]

Nothing gives the illusion of youth more than a good physique.

 

[gbb]

I used to frequent an electrical wholesalers years ago and one of the guys behind the counter was in his 80s..and still remarkably spritely , mentally and physically. He worked because he felt it kept him young,
Whatever suits IMO.

 

[PeteXXX]

If you keep yourself fit, whatever age you are, you are more likely to fight off many of the illnesses that life can throw at you more easily than if your were not looking after yourself properly.

BTW, at what age does 'Old Age' actually start?

 

[ayceejay]

BTW, at what age does 'Old Age' actually start?
The day you ask this question.

 

[Roxy641]

".....BTW, at what age does 'Old Age' actually start?

Age is just a number.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

BTW, at what age does 'Old Age' actually start?

And how do you define "fitness" within it, or at any age?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The best way to feel young is to hang out with old people.

^This.

Though having spent the whole weekend in the company of a group of younglings in their 20's at Bestival I did wake up on Monday feeling about 40. Which isn't bad given my actual age.

 

[Globalti]

My Mum is 86 and she leads a local Ramblers' group, walking 10 miles or so in the Wiltshire Downs every week. She sings in three choirs, goes to the gym once a week and is a volunteer guide at a local museum. As the character in the BBC article says: "People have been brainwashed to think that after you're 65, you're finished. But retirement is a financial disaster and a health catastrophe."

I'm 60 and fitter now than I've ever been in my life thanks to road cycling. I wish there was a gym nearby because I'd like to do some upper body work just to maintain muscle tone as the testosterone level diminishes. I can't wait to retire and get back to more walking and rock climbing, ski touring and cycling.

 

[fimm]

BTW, at what age does 'Old Age' actually start?

One Christmas I gave my grandmother one of those gizmos that enable you to pick stuff up off the floor without bending down for it.
"Oh thank you," said Granny, "That'll be very useful for when I'm old..."
She was 97, I think...

She eventually lived to be 99 and a half, and I think she only felt "old" for the last 18 months of her life.

 

[Tin Pot]

Age is just a number.

I am not a number! I am an old man!

 

[sarahale]

Puts my dad to shame. He's just retired at 60 and doesn't do alot now except eat biscuits and watch TV. I wouldn't mind if he was happy, but he's not.

 

[Tin Pot]

Puts my dad to shame. He's just retired at 60 and doesn't do alot now except eat biscuits and watch TV. I wouldn't mind if he was happy, but he's not.

Has he got a bike yet?