Over the years, I’ve done aerobics, step aerobics, fitness with weights, yoga, belly dancing, Zumba and, most recently, Pilates. I used to be in classes of all young people, mostly women. Now, my Pilates’ class contains many midlife women. We are the same people, raised on the fitness culture of the 70’s, and 80’s.
Jane Fonda’s workouts, Richard Simmons TV shows, and Olivia Newton John’s Let’s Get Physical music video – all focused on using exercise to change the way we looked. In most cases, the aim was for weight-loss and a skinny body.
Fitness Goals Have Shifted
My fitness goals have changed over the years: from a focus on changing my physical appearance, to one of maintaining and building a healthy body. Back in my twenties, I realized the positive effect that regular exercise had on my stress levels as a teacher, and that was a key motivator to keep me coming back to weekly aerobics classes. It was an unpopular opinion back then. These days the mental health benefits of regular exercise are widely acknowledged and I continue to enjoy the benefits. But now, the rest of my fitness goals are more functional than aesthetic. I want my body to be able to work properly for as long as possible.
Fitness For Now
I can’t take my body for granted. If I want strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination, I have to work on it. I’ve seen folks my own age and older who struggle to keep up with the life that they want to lead. I’ve been sidelined by times when my body didn’t work the way it used to. A “bad back,” or a bout of plantar fasciitis can take weeks to recover from.
What Will Your Nineties Look Like?
When I’m in my 90’s, I want to be able to sit on the floor and get up without help. I want to be able to shower and wash my own hair. I want to be able to walk unassisted, and take care of my own home. I know that all this is possible. Aging doesn’t have to equal fragility. But, to ensure a healthy future, my body needs more care now, and will continue to require more care as I grow.
Investing In Future Mobility And Strength
It takes a bit of adjustment to realize that I need to spend more time on exercise than I ever have before. I have more free time now that I’ve stepped away from full-time work, but a larger portion of that time is taken with daily walks, and structured exercise classes. This is my investment in my future.
Taking a strong and healthy body for granted is not possible in midlife and later without dire consequences. It needs constant attention. My fellow aerobics girls with leg warmers and Flash Dance sweatshirts in the 1980’s, are today my fellow Pilates women in leggings and baggy t-shirts sweating and swearing through a class with their daughters. We will stay strong!
Retired, And Now What? 
It’s sad how our society equates exercise with physical appearance. I have a family member who is underweight, and struggles with anxiety. She goes to yoga classes. A friend told her she should stop because she can’t afford to lose any more weight. What about all the other benefits of exercise for physical and mental health?
Like you, I exercise because I believe it’s critical to aging well. My mum is 93 and still very mobile, likely because she has always been an avid walker. She’s my role model.
LikeLike