walktrot, evidently. I guess I was supposed to sit in a rocking chair for the next 50 years and knit socks for children I don’t have. Sorry, I’m going riding. Like my DH says, “I’m going riding, and if you don’t like it we’ll talk about it when I get back.”
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I’m wondering about the DRT program as well, please share more
LOL…THAT is why I got into the breed I did. While I do have (adult) children (no grandchildren), I am not the sit around, doting grandmotherly type. My kids would probably tell you I’m more of a Mommy dearest type. If and when I can no longer throw a leg over, I’ll start driving. Fortunately, I guess, my grandfather spent quite a bit of energy teaching me that sort of thing (he competed in draft pulls) so I can harness quickly, correctly and supposedly per him have the hands for driving (was expected to practice and did on a driving board); so, while I far prefer to ride over drive…I WILL CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE WITH HORSES until I’m ashes or 6 feet under.
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So it’s not just me. I’ve been exercising and eating very well since college. But it’s been the past 5-6 years that I’ve noticed I’ve lost my some of my pep and I need vitamins to get my old energy back. Guess our aging bodies need a little help. 
Have found the responses here to be so helpful, especially the range of physical abilities, because they seem a good representation of the general public. I’d like to put a special note of encouragement in for EVERYONE continuing to stay as active as possible! As a physician, research shows that staying physically active is important, not only for your body but to delay dementia, as well. I’d also like to strongly encourage those who have physical limitations to NOT GIVE UP! I personally have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. With the help of a cutting edge Psychiatrist, willing to try new therapies, such as sublingual Ketamine and Modafanil, I’ve been pain free for 2 years and seldom nap. I periodically have nerve root injections in my neck and trigger point injections, but I’m determined to stay active. I found a health club run by physical therapists and work out twice a week to maintain core strength. I ride both gaited and non gaited horses. Sometimes I’ve felt guilty that my poor dressage teacher must get frustrated with me because I don’t always have the stamina or flexibility needed, and I’m certainly not naturally athletic LOL. I didn’t start riding till in my 40s. From the other side, there have been times the pain is so excruciating simply trail riding, I’d swear my seat bones were coming through my skin, 15 minutes into an easy ride. The key to any activity seems to be to vary your activity. Maybe walk 2 days a week for 30 minute at a good pace, lift weights 2 days a week, work on core strength with a trainer, swim or water aerobics, and then ride. It doesn’t matter if somebody 10 years older can mount from the ground and I need a mounting block IMHO, because I’m working to stay active till 100 years old. I’ve told the kids they can build a hoist to hoist me up or teach me to drive horses, but I want to stay active. If somebody looks down on me because I can’t do a 4 hour ride, I’m not worried and neither should anyone else. STAY HEALTHY! STAY ACTIVE! LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!
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I am 62+ . besides having three horses and, being single, doing most of it all myself, I have been attending mat pilates weekly for about 10 years, and an active yoga practice 2x/week for about 8 years. Last year I added an equipment pilates session 1xweek . I am stronger than I have ever been, altho of course I weigh 30+ more than I did at 30… I do need more cardio, but I get shin splints and my elliptical trainer just doesnt excite me… As an added benefit, this year I had a dexascan bone density scan done… and my bones have improved from three years ago… no drugs, just the equipment session added.
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I am going on 53 and as many others have said here, I eat mostly plants (fruit and veggie), meats, and very little bread and pasta. I try to eat virtually no sugar. I clean stalls and move hay every day and ride 4 or 5 times a week. The eating is where I see the most difference though - if I eat sugar and fat together, I gain weight. If I increase exercise, I don’t necessarily lose weight. On the weekends, I have an Atkins protein bar for breakfast and then I’m at the ranch all day, so I don’t eat again until about 3. I have a big salad usually with chicken, avocado, etc. The older I get, the harder it is to maintain.
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Interesting about your experience with sugar and fat. I’ve been listening to some podcasts lately and I can’t remember which one it was that talked about something similar. Apparently you should not eat carbs and fat together because of the way the body processes those two things together…I don’t remember all the details, but they said to try not to eat that way… no burger and fries, or pizza… those kinds of things would promote weight gain… we all know those foods aren’t the greatest anyways if you are trying to lose, but saying it was the combination of carbs and fat was the key I think… bad carbs equal lots of sugar…
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I’m 66, and finally quit bitching about it and dragged myself to the gym. My health insurance offers a gym membership for free so that was easy. I’ve been doing Zumba and boot camp 5 times a week for about six weeks now to get my cardio Fitness up, then I will add yoga and weights and reduce the Zumba. Cardio and aerobic is the hardest for me because of my asthma. I think everybody’s weaknesses are personal and you have to start with wherever you need to start. Some people, its balance. Some people it’s strength. Some people its breathing. I ride the horse 2x week when weather allows, as well. The stationary bike under the desk just wasnt doing it for me.
It’s crazy - when I was younger, I ate TONS of sugar. I loved hard candies, pastries, etc. I would starve myself and could never lose a pound. Now that I’ve cut out the sugar (mostly), I can eat LOTS and still lose.
But… does your “lots” include tons of fruit and veggies? If you were starving yourself, wouldn’t that have messed up weight loss anyway? Different eating patterns producing better results?
No Such, I could have written this post. (I was supposed to retire yesterday, but the universe has different plans for me. sigh
[QUOTE=16 Hands;n10545425I used to go the gym and enjoyed it well enough but the one I went to was very competitive and all the skinny jockettes would give you the stink eye if you weren’t in top shape. [/QUOTE]
One benefit of increasing years is a growing serenity: don’t care anymore what other people think.
But then, I regard one of my greatest athletic achievements was being chucked out of a Pilates class due to my incompetence. Hah, bet that man couldn’t sit a horse!
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57 here. Just retired, moved to a different province and joined the local gym. Weight lifting is really helping…not heavy weights. We do a morning class 3 times a week with cardio and weights and yoga twice a week.
Breaking my old routines and joining the gym has been very good for me.
I enjoy Yoga with Adriene and she does have an Equestrian work out on Youtube…check it out.
I also have the Success in the Saddle workout DVD series (recommended on this forum). It is a hard series, so if you try it start slowly and don’t beat yourself up. It does make a huge difference.
I am going to try the standing in the stirrups exercise.
Thanks. This forum is full of knowledgeable and helpful people!
Just be careful that you use it correctly. My kids are both college rowers and Erging can be very hard on your body. They always cringe when they see people using the ergs at the gym because so many people use them wrong. I’ve tried them because they are great exercise, but I always end up with a cramp in my right hip.
For me, the best way to stay fit and strong has always been swimming. I had a some issue with my rotator cuff that’s kept me out of the pool and then a bad fall (horse fell) which included breaking my collar bone, ankle and knee. I’ve been slowly working up my level of fitness in the pool and also have some simple exercises with weights.
So, I’m 57 and it is diferent than 50. I do yoga at least three times a week and it really helps me stay on a hard spook. I now have to walk at least three times a week as well to keep my endurance at a reasonable level. Growing old really sucks and I hate to say I am really bitter about it! It takes a lot more work to not only keep muscle tone but to even keep my mind good! Dang! I used to be so smug, like I would be riding first flight into my seventies but holy cow, I am now in awe of my friends who are going strong into mid seventies. Still have twenty years to go and not sure if I can do it. Need more motivational stories!
Oh and now my beautiful frock coat is too tight because you just get thicker in the middle even though you are at your fighting weight! What more?
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[QUOTE=xeroxchick;n10549771)
Oh and now my beautiful frock coat is too tight because you just get thicker in the middle even though you are at your fighting weight! What more?[/QUOTE]
I haven’t tried on my carefully preserved show clothes on in years. I hope they still fit, as I am planning to return to showing this year and my pension income won’t support replacing them 
I find that L-glutamine and L-lysine, 500mg 3x a day help my brain quite a bit.
I’m 56 and my horse is 11. I’m hoping for ten more years in the saddle, at least. I don’t do much these days, just walk/trot the trails. There are women at my barn still jumping in their 60’s, that’s too much for me.
Planking is the best exercise for my balance in the saddle. I do it three times, five days a week. I notice a huge difference if I go a few days without planking.
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I am very careful and so far, so good. Probably not correct form (as to a rowing on water) but I am very careful not to overdo or exaggerate…just trying to move my body parts. I have had a cascade of body parts wearing out rather precipitously in the last few year. I just had foot surgery in April and now that foot is acting up again (I think plantar fasciitis:mad:). So, until the foot calms down it will probably be the rower or to the gym for the bike. I was swimming but my right shoulder is really creaky and popping after having to use crutches for 8 weeks:grief:. None of the pools at the gym I go to is very good for pool walking or other non-swimming exercise…I may look further at some other facilities. If I get 3-4 weeks of some sort of exercise without hurting something else, I am lucky…I am not going to quit trying. I am NOT ready for the rocking chair…my body may be but my brain isn’t…NO.
Susan
I have been intermittent fasting for about three weeks and have noticed a difference in my waistline. To be fair, I have been hitting the gym 3x a week for strength training and doing at least one day of 45 mins of cardio. But I think the fasting is making a difference. I stop eating at 6 pm or around there, and try to go at least 14 hours with nothing but no calorie beverages. Now that has also cut down on the glass of wine or three I’d have every night. And I try to be sensible about what I eat. So whether it’s been the exercise, the fasting, or the decrease in alcohol consumption, who knows. But I see a difference and feel good, and did indulge a bit over the Christmas holiday.
