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ageing programe

(168 Posts)
fillygumbo Fri 08-Apr-16 08:50:49

After seeing last nights programme about keeping young I realised how unfit I am. They were asking people to cross legs at the ankles and then sit down on the floor without using their hands to balance. Angela Rippon at 71 managed it beautifully but alas when I tried I could only get half way.
I have resolved to alter my diet and take more exercise, but where do you start? I would love to do a dance class but would look very silly I know as would not be able to keep up and I expect wouldn`t last for long before I had to sit down! This morning I tried dancing to the radio and lasted about 3 mins. If anyone has any words of wisdom for me I would be grateful or is there anyone who would like to join me on a quest to eat and live better from a standing start.

K8tie Sat 09-Apr-16 13:13:10

I kind of fall the last foot or so to the cushion yet I manage to get up ok with Suzied's way! And a huge well done for the youtube . . . look how many likes you have. Pilates abs come into it here I suspect.
Mamie I can do it with one leg facing out in front and one behind and without the weights [forgot about them!]. . . can you remind the ballet bit of my brain what a port de bras is again please.? confused
The oldest lady in my pilates class is 88 and she can get her leg up to the ceiling!!! And the star pupil is 77 and has had 3 hip ops!!! and uses weights on her ankles and hands to do the class. She has been doing it for 10 years now and as I am 66 she is my hero.

wot Sat 09-Apr-16 13:03:04

And no, I can't spell aneurism.

wot Sat 09-Apr-16 13:02:21

My balance went to hell after having brain surgery for an aneurism; no other lasting effects so am grateful it's just that.

Bbbface Sat 09-Apr-16 12:53:55

*It's more about balance than fitness. The two things are completely separate. *

I'm afraid you don't know what you're talking about.

Being able to do that is about your core. If you don't have a decent core, you won't have balance. To get a strong core, you need to exercise.

wot Sat 09-Apr-16 12:47:36

I used to do it all the time but fall over now! I crouched down to look closely at something in the supermarket and toppled over backwards; I felt such an idiot.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 09-Apr-16 12:33:03

Don't try! grin I've given up.

MammaN Sat 09-Apr-16 12:17:01

Can't do it. Not even close.

Skweek1 Sat 09-Apr-16 11:49:11

I've recently started doing aqua aerobics again and it's brilliant - the water helps and you'll probably find that the group will be mainly of the GN age group. It really doesn't matter what sort of exercise you take up, it will do you good, find you new mates and unless you go to a snobby gym, the staff and fellow exercisers will encourage you to enjoy getting fit. If you've currently got health issues, check with your GP, but you'll probably have a local "Gentle Exercise" group, which pushes you to do what you can. And I've just taken up yoga - my mum started at 70+ and got quite good at it, but I have arthritis, and had an elbow replacement so can't straighten my arm and although I'm already getting better, and my balance is definitely improving, most of the moves are always going to be beyond my ability. Just do what you can. I approve wholeheartedly of Petra's suggestion of Youtube videos - you will discover what sort of exercise suits you, without embarrassing yourself - maybe Tai Chi could be a good starting point, since it builds your sense of balance and isn't over-strenuous. Good luck and enjoy!sunshine

Mamie Sat 09-Apr-16 11:37:19

For the dancers among you, I do a port de bras from first to second as I get up again. grin

inishowen Sat 09-Apr-16 11:35:06

I couldn't do the cross leg thing, yet I've don't Pilates for about 15 years. I dread to think how unfit I'd be without Pilates. I think dancing to the radio is great. If you do 3 minutes one day, you can do 5 minutes the next time, etc., etc.,

Mamie Sat 09-Apr-16 11:31:28

I can do it too (age 66). Years of ballet have left me pretty supple and I can still do the splits (to intense chagrin of eldest DGD who can't). I do work hard to keep the suppleness though - use it or lose it, I think.

Theoddbird Sat 09-Apr-16 11:29:20

Oh just read post by Suzied...will give that a try smile

Theoddbird Sat 09-Apr-16 11:26:38

I thought I was fit for my 65 years...I do at least 10,000 steps a day at work and have been veggie for 37 years. I have strong legs... Can't do the crossed leg thing though.

Alea Sat 09-Apr-16 10:40:36

I used to think Angela Rippon looked fantastic for her age then I found out she's "only" 72. Huh! ??

shysal Sat 09-Apr-16 10:30:13

I thought the same, anno, but AR has the advantage of good cheek bones. I too felt just a little bit gleeful when she turned out not to be so perfect, Jingl [miaow]!
I am not going to attempt the challenge as I have a shoulder injury which prevents me from holding my arm forward. Doubt I could manage it without the injury either! I could never sit comfortably cross legged even as a child, have always had very tight hamstrings, despite exercising all my adult life so far.

BBbevan Sat 09-Apr-16 10:23:58

Rowantree, my sister has just been diagnosed with fatty liver. She went off her food and was losing weight. Those were her only symptoms.

annodomini Sat 09-Apr-16 10:19:15

Angela looked to me as if her skin had suffered quite a bit of sun damage.

pompa Sat 09-Apr-16 09:57:41

Lyneve. Well said.smile
A couple of things.
Sugar:-
We should get enough natural sugars from a well balanced diet without any additional processed sugar.
Food labels:-
Reduced sugar items often have higher fat content to maintain the flavour. Also "Reduced Sugar" "Reduced Fat" Reduced Salt" are dubious statements, it gives no idea how much it is reduced, may be so little that it is not worth the extra cost that these items often demand. Read the labels

Lyneve Sat 09-Apr-16 09:43:14

To keep fit try reducing your sugar intake. When buying processed food check the label about the amount of sugar in the product.

Sugar makes up put on weight. Sugar is 50% glucose and 50% fructose. Glucose is essential to feed our cells, more than a little fructose makes us eat more and stops us knowing when we have had enough to eat.

Eat lodes of vegetables of all sorts and a couple of pieces of fruit a day.

For more information read David Gallespie's books Sweet Poison and The Sweet Poison Quit Plan. You can read the introductions to these books on Amazon. Robert Lustig, an endocrinologist, talks on youtube. Well worth spending time listening to him.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 09-Apr-16 09:32:10

(miaow)

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 09-Apr-16 09:31:50

Yes. I too thought Angela Ripon looked very old without her makeup! Shows how skilled the celebs are at applying their expensive slap.

goose1964 Sat 09-Apr-16 09:27:16

I managed a descent to my sofa - not trying the floor as I have arthritis & I know I couldn't bend that far, made me realise just how much weaker my left had side is despite doing the physio exercises.

Falconbird Sat 09-Apr-16 09:18:32

My mother at 71 could in no way at all have performed the sitting down and getting up thingy on TV and now at 70 this year, neither could I.

Mum lived to be 90.

Omaoma57 Sat 09-Apr-16 09:15:45

I go to aquafit at least twice a week....great fun, safe for pesky knees or hips...all sizes, ages and fitness levels....or just go for a walk....swing those arms and breathe deeply..makes me feel great...hope you find something that works for you. Xxx

Venus Sat 09-Apr-16 09:10:24

I tried the cross leg thingie and did myself a damage. I've been on pain killers ever since! However, I do dance, and have for the last ten years. I do Latin American and ballroom, and love it. It's very social and I go to tea dances and have made lots of dancing friends. I certainly recommend that.