When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick the flowers in other people’s gardens

And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go.

Or only bread and pickle for a week

And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practise a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

 

I remember this poem growing up, thinking once I was elderly I’d have free reign to spend my days supping wine in my slippers, getting shirty with the neighbours and being a general old grump who wouldn’t bother getting out of her chair unassisted by carers. In this poem Jenny Joseph doesn’t mention going to the gym once when she’s old. No word about rolling down hills with the grandkids or going on bucket list adventure holidays. Not a peep about yoga retreats or Aquafit…

The Baby Boomer generation is distinctly different. This is the first generation to take up exercise as an end in itself. Along came Jane Fonda in the 1970s – remember the legwarmers? We took up martial arts in the style of Jackie Chan, and Mr Schwarzenegger persuaded us to pick up iron for purposes other than digging the allotment. So, we discovered exercising ‘for fun’, we would ‘Feel the Burn’, and this, along with better nutrition and improved health care, has provided us with a longer, lycra-clad life expectancy. We now exercise, not a punishment for eating all the pies, not because our doctor or our Fitbit tells us to, but as a fundamental part of the good life we’re living today.

So, the nitty gritty – how does exercise help our longevity?

Movement. This is key. If our bodies don’t move optimally we run the risk of muscle wastage (the support structure for the skeleton), joint pain, decreased bone density and circulation problems. As we grow older and our bodies start to decline in function it’s important to slow that decline by upping, not lowering our activity levels.

Protection against illness. The risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and many other conditions is increased by inactivity. Just 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity movement can reduce these risks significantly.

Balance. As we age the risk of falling is increased. No-one wants to undergo a hip replacement they can avoid. Regular exercise can provide a little more insurance against unnecessary falls.

Mental health. It’s scientifically proven that moderate activity levels guard against the onset of depression and some types of dementia, enabling you to remain independent and sociable well into later life.

Increased energy and zest for life. Energy breeds energy. Movement does not zap your precious energy supply – it refuels it!

OK, I’m buying. What do I have to do?

30 minutes a day, five times a week is what to aim for. If you’ve been sedentary for a long time, start slowly and build up your fitness levels, always after consulting your GP. I like to mix up training as the body gets used to one thing very quickly, so here’s some suggestions:

• Fast walking
• Cycling
• Yoga, Pilates, BodyBalance classes
• Aquafit or swimming
• Gardening, particularly digging and mowing
• Lifting, such as weight training, to strengthen muscles
• Balance work, especially standing on one leg
• Focus work, e.g., Tai Chi or dancing
• Sit to stand exercise and step-ups

Ageing is not for the faint hearted, so let’s live, laugh and stay young together!