In
common with most Ol' Codgers of my age I was brought up during the
many restrictions of the war years followed by strict rationing until
the end of my school years. We now know however, that compared with
the food eaten and activities of today, it was a far more healthy
lifestyle. The total scarcity of sugar and salt, no fast foods other
than fish and chips (occasionally), no white bread just nutritious
brown/black, etc. Likewise with exercise. Very limited transport
meant we either cycled or walked everywhere, and of course no
television or computers to keep us kids in the house on a sunny day.
To
a large extent I have continued that pattern of diet and exercise
throughout my life, and it is only in the recent times of widespread
obesity, diabetes, etc. that the press, TV and even Parliament have
started to recognise the many dangers of limited exercise and
unhealthy eating of many today. Most people now realise that
something must be done if the NHS is to survive and that food choices
and sedentary lifestyle has replaced smoking as the biggest killer.
One
of the biggest advantages of age and retirement is that we have time.
We don't have to dash off to catch the 7.30 train or bus to work so
have ample time for an hour or so walk or cycle ride every day. We
don't waste time and money simply to go a couple of miles to the High
Street or Sainsburys by car, we walk using a big barrow which can
also be towed by bike for longer distances, or we use panniers. Our
Friday evening or Sunday lunchtime pint is enjoyed in local pubs up
to 5 miles away so the several calories imbibed will be enjoyably
walked off by the time we get home.
Drifting
around the world in a sailing boat for 8 years, and numerous long
distance cycle camping rides of a couple of months or more taught us
the essential value of a good breakfast. Don't knock it until you try
it.... ours is plain oats sprinkled with a teaspoon of pea protein
powder, beetroot powder, brewers yeast, and a dessert spoon of inulin
along with a large chopped banana covered in homemade yogurt and
drowned in milk. The whole lot much cheaper than a sugary bowl of
crackle pops and easy to buy in bulk to safely carry on journeys
where shops are scarce.
At
home, breakfast will be followed by an hour or so listening to the
Today programme while working out in the gym. Not an expensive
membership gym that is a drag to travel to, but in the second bedroom
or other spaces around the house. Over the years, we have collected
weights, indoor bike and rowing machine, but for many years it was
just sand weighted milk bottles, charity shop throwaways or cheap
bits and pieces from Lidl. This is not only to keep us fit for our
winter skiing and other activities but just as much as to give us
that feeling of well being without which we tend to feel lazy and
lethargic all day.
In
the past we have never courted publicity or sponsorship for any of
our numerous adventures. With this one, however, due to it being the
start of celebrations of my 80th year, I hope it might be
picked up by fellow oldies as an inspiration to get on and do their
particular thing. I honestly do not feel old and despite what some
might call the disadvantage of only having one and a bit usable legs
I expect to continue active lifestyle for many years to come.
We
all know and see that the NHS and all other allied health services
are struggling to cope. Statistics are constantly being quoted
placing much of the blame on we oldies living longer , but not
healthier. Other statistics point strongly to the proven facts that
exercise and diet keeps one's motors ticking over much more
efficiently than buckets full of pills, obviously not for everyone,
but for a good few of us, enabling those who really need the health
service to get better access to it.
Many
people of my age and older are completing or attempting more extreme
adventures than ever before, I have met several myself. Perhaps some
could be collated and published as examples of what can be achieved
irrespective of age. Such examples maybe could inspire others and
perhaps in the longer term diminish some of the health problems of
coming generations of older people, or is that just my wishful
thinking? I can assure you one is never too old to start.
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