Age 60-70, a transitional time of life

When I reached 60, I didn’t think anything of it. It was just another birthday. I was still at a fairly high level of activity, exercising, running outside, busy with my work, all was good. I’m 92 now and looking back, I was in fact entering a period of change. Maybe it will be for you too but you won’t know for another few years, maybe much longer.

It was in my seventies that I transitioned from road and trail running to exercising on an elliptical machine in order to prevent injury as I grew older. I am thankful, though, that even today at 92, I can still jog outdoors a little, thanks to having maintained a good fitness level over the years.

It is, I think, a transitional time of life for many; we become empty nesters, we are often alone, retirement may be here or soon, we are wiser, we may feel a sort of liberation. We may also feel uncertain about what to do now, and wonder about the future. We don’t feel 60, maybe more like 40!  It’s also a time when those minor aches and pains may become more noticeable and is it the time to have them looked at? Maybe a couple of new ones have come along. Other little things to do with well-being that have been put off need tending to. Not enough to dampen the excitement of plans for the years ahead or trips to the gym.

So, I entered that period of life with similar thoughts and plans. The 60-70 period, maybe even 75 or so, period was full of activity and potential! It’s also the time when I experienced several health issues that needed attention. I spent time at the doctor’s office, the dentist, the specialist, the hospital, and physical therapist. It lasted for quite a few years and all got fixed. Once I got through that stretch my life resumed as before.

The years between 60 and 70 are a transitional time of life for many; we become empty nesters, we are often alone, retirement may be here or soon, we are wiser, we may feel a sort of liberation. We may also feel uncertain about what to do now, and wonder about the future. We don’t feel 60, maybe more like 40! It’s also a time when those minor aches and pains may become more noticeable and is it the time to have them looked at?

During that period, I changed from running outside on hard surfaces to using my elliptical at home giving me a low impact, full body aerobic workout without hurting my joints and back. This was when thoughts about how to maintain my quality of life into old age became more important than how many pushups I could do or how fast I could do two miles on the elliptical. My routine had been much more rigorous previously but now I began to realize this couldn’t go on forever there has to be an eventual decline. And there was. It was barely noticeable but it eventually showed up and it continues. And with it I became more careful about not getting hurt.

During my sixties and seventies, I had some of my best fitness experiences. I had some good 5k, 10k, and half marathon races.

That period of time had some of my best fitness experiences. I had some good 5k, 10k, and half marathon races. And some of the most worrisome health issues. I got through prostate cancer at age 68, a meniscus tear in my left knee at 76 and several other serious and not so serious muscle, joint and hand problems. Seems that at this time of life my body needed a few repairs that resulted in a downsizing to my fitness routine. I had been doing two sets of 30 pushups that eventually created shoulder and arm issues and eventually I had to stop. When I was healthy again, I settled for 25 pushups but getting back to that level took many months. I had to keep reminding myself I’m not trying to win anything or get into the record books. I only want to be healthy and fit. I would ask myself do I really need to do that many pushups? Once I figured out that I could be fit and healthy doing less everything got a lot better.

That period of time had some of my best fitness experiences. I had some good 5k, 10k, and half marathon races. And some of the most worrisome health issues. Seems that at this time of life my body needed a few repairs that resulted in a downsizing to my fitness routine.

Other things happen as we age that are totally out of our control. Our metabolism slows so I needed less food. If I don’t eat less, I gain weight. Our heart rate slows a little as we age so my aerobic exercise produces statistics that are on the decline. The thought of having a glass of wine disappeared. I couldn’t figure that one out!  And I continued to sleep well.

My focus had been on a fairly aggressive exercise program up until my 70s. A few years later I began to think about maintaining my good health into old age. I’ve seen people get hurt trying to do too much and then unable to exercise for such a long time they get discouraged, the edge is off and sometimes want to quit. Don’t quit!

I’ve seen people get hurt trying to do too much and then unable to exercise for such a long time they get discouraged, the edge is off and sometimes want to quit. Don’t quit!

People now in their 60s and 70s have the potential for so many great years ahead that it’s worth a little time to carefully think about how to exercise through this period and into later years. I decided to get myself healthy and maintain a good level of fitness. A short fitness program done regularly will do it.

Coast into your later years still able to climb mountains, ride your bike anywhere, and enjoy your family! Each exercise session is a success and you feel good! That’s my idea of enjoying this special time of life!