I’m very fortunate to be able to exercise!

Running outdoors like this is really nice but hard on the legs and back. I can still run a distance but prefer the safety of an elliptical.

As soon as I take a first step on my elliptical it triggers an instant thought of how fortunate I am to be able to do this and the next thing that often pops into my head is the question: I wonder if it’s because I’ve been doing this for so long and is that the real reason I’m healthy and fit? These thoughts are not new but I’ve never thought about them as frequently as I have in the past several weeks. I’ll be 93 shortly.

Researchers, doctors, and fitness experts believe it does make a significant contribution. I wonder though what contribution the almost daily exercises I’ve been doing for decades have actually made to me. I believe it’s been huge!

Statistics have been compiled and books written to support this so there must be something to it. They often suggest a variety of exercises along with advice on nutrition, sleep, overcoming stress, and other physical and mental issues. 

It’s the mind that does the really hard work. It’s our mental approach to wanting to be fit and healthy that makes it all happen.

My ability to be able to do my set of exercises almost every day for so many years, even decades is what I think has made the difference. The actual set of exercises can vary but it always includes the basics starting with aerobics and the rest of them in some form or other. Every day isn’t always exactly the same as the day before. Although it can go on for weeks or longer with no change.

Not a fast pace but still pretty good!

It’s the mind that does the really hard work. It’s our mental approach to wanting to be fit and healthy that makes it all happen. Discipline and motivation together are fundamental to the creation of what has become for me an exercise habit. My motivation was simply to be able to live a normal life as I got older and it seems to have worked for me.

The Dipsea Demon near the end of a race, age 96.

And then there’s the physical part that we as humans have inherited from our evolutionary beginnings. Running and walking long distances are natural to humans. A favorite book of mine, ‘Born to Run,’ by Christopher McDougall on p.240 states, “There’s something really weird about us humans, we’re not only really good about distance running, we’re really good at it for a remarkably long time. We’re a machine built to run - and the machine never wears out.”

You don’t stop running because you get old, the Dipsea Demon always said. You get old because you stop running….”  In my case I use an elliptical now because it’s the closest thing to actual running and at my age it’s easier on my joints and back and I still get a really good cardiorespiratory workout.

I prefer the elliptical and that’s where I get my cardiorespiratory fitness.

Whatever your age, it’s never too late to make exercising a habit. Just begin slowly and carefully and only do enough that you can feel it in various places and do some serious huffing and puffing. Choose a few exercises and do them regularly. I have my own list but there’s lots of information out there on how to exercise.

I start my day with my exercises. It’s a habit that I like and I know it’s good for me. It makes me feel good too and gives me a sense of accomplishment!