aging and exercise – Irene Pastore Fitness.com

Myth: I’m Too Old To Exercise

April 25, 2025

I’m Too Old To Start Exercising

This is completely false. Age does not play a role in your ability to exercise. Research on healthy aging shows that exercise for aging adults is not only safe but beneficial. People can safely begin to exercise in their 70s, 80s, and beyond. It’s never too late to get started, and it does not matter if you’ve never exercised before.

No matter what your current age or fitness level, your body benefits from exercise. In fact, exercise is such an important part of healthy aging that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150-300 minutes of physical activity each week for all ages, stretching its former recommendation of 150 minutes per week. However, any amount of exercise is beneficial, from formal exercise to “exercise snacks”—just moving around a little whenever you can.

Source: Psychology Today 5/20/21

How Positive Attitude Influences Longevity: Dick Van Dyke’s Insights at 98

July 18, 2024

Older adults who are nearing 90 or over have different opinions about why they’ve reached super older age.

Dick Van Dyke was born in 1925. He says that his attitude about life has helped with longevity. “I’ve always looked at the good side of life I guess and expected good things to happen.”

He and his wife Arlene Silver, married in 2012. The couple are 46 years apart in age. She says he’s always happy, positive and joyful. Van Dyke says that he’s always been thin, and gets regular exercise.

What Does Being Elderly Really Mean?

July 18, 2024

When do you officially become elderly? There are a variety of opinions . In the United States, someone is considered elderly when they turn 65. The Social Security Administration states that persons over 65 are legally considered senior citizens.

When your hair turns silver, does that make you elderly? Medical professionals may describe a fragile, incapacitated patient of 80 or older as elderly.

What if you decide to never retire, or what if a 65+ year-old is very fit. Are people like this considered elderly? There is really no standard answer.

The word elderly is often associated with frailty, poor balance, and deterioration to the point where someone may not be capable of self-care. They’ve become dependent on others to assist them with the activities of daily living.

The concept of old age is changing. Searching the web, you’ll find videos about older adults participating in sports, lifting weights, and extending their professional careers well past 65, many of whom advise against retirement.

Older adults who exercise regularly, avoid smoking, and eat healthy, slow down their aging process. They are in better shape than their counterparts who don’t practice good health habits.

I think a good way to define elderly is frailty. Someone can be frail at 65 or at 85. It depends, and it’s relative to lifestyle and genetics. The saying ‘age is just a number’ is close to the truth.

If you’re not exercising, get busy. Exercise will help decelerate unwanted signs that you’re getting older.

Get in touch with me when you’re ready to start.