“Even if they were inactive during their younger years, middle aged and older adults who get at least the minimum recommended amount of exercise each week may live longer than their sedentary counterparts, suggests a large UK study.”
Maintaining or starting exercise in middle age tied to longer life
That is important for all of us. I had been active in my youth, cycling & playing tennis & chess(!) Getting married & raising a family & running a car stopped sporting activies & though I was generally active, when I was approaching 50 I realised I was getting middle-aged, putting on weight & waist, & even getting puffed when running for a bus.
I decided the time had come to start systematic exercise, doing something I could enjoy & sustain, namely tennis. Soon my health & fitness improved, though at first running to the net was tiring. Soon I was playing for a team. Ten years on I developed type 2 diabetes, & was given a high complex carbohydrate diet, low fat, sugar & salt.
The neuropathy I was diagnosed diabetic with continued to worsen, & after 8 years (age 68) became crippling, & almost constant pain. I sought internet advice from a patient forum. The recommendation was to reverse the official diet, cut all the carbs & increase natural fatty foods - cheese, cream, meat, nuts, while maintaining neuttral foods like vegetables. In 3 months I was out of pain & back on the tennis court.
I have maintained that diet, & now follow the "keto" lifestyle. At 80, I still play tennis at club standard & have no health problems. I'm fitter than I was 30 years ago.
