Ageing Well. It's About More Than Exercise
At the recent Age Is Just a Number forum in New Plymouth, I asked people a simple question:
What does ageing well mean to you?
I invited people to write their answers on a whiteboard, and I loved the variety of responses.
Driving. Walking and staying healthy. Dancing. Craft. Connecting and staying engaged. Carrying the chook food. Getting socks on. Getting up off the floor.
And one of my favourites: “Whatever I choose.”
The two answers that came up most often were driving and walking.
That really got me thinking. Neither is particularly glamorous, but both are so important to our independence. Being able to drive means getting to the shops, visiting friends, attending appointments and going where we want, when we want. Walking gives us freedom to move around, get outside and participate in everyday life.
And I loved some of the more specific answers. Carrying the chook food might not sound like much, but if keeping chickens is something you enjoy, being able to continue doing it matters.
But not all the answers were about physical ability. Craft and staying connected and engaged were important to people too. They remind us that ageing well is also about having interests, enjoying what we do, maintaining relationships and feeling part of something. And those things still matter, in fact, probably matter more, when our physical abilities change.
That's what struck me most about the responses. Ageing well isn't necessarily about doing extraordinary things. It's about being able to keep doing the everyday things that make life enjoyable and meaningful.
What does ageing well mean to me?
For me, it's about being able to keep hiking, swimming in the sea, getting out into nature, and doing my predator trapping work in the Kaitake Ranges.
I love being out in the bush, and I love knowing that the work we're doing is helping protect our native wildlife. Imagine if we could get the Kaitakes safe enough for kōkako and kākāriki to return!
And one of my favourite parts of being out there? Stopping for a coffee, sitting quietly and just enjoying being in the bush. No rush, no distractions, just taking it all in.
But trapping also requires physical ability. There are hills to climb, uneven tracks to negotiate, equipment to carry, and traps to check. I want to be able to keep doing those things for as long as possible. And that's a big part of why I go to the gym.
The gym is a means to an end
I enjoy exercise, and I certainly enjoy how I feel afterwards. But do I always feel like going to the gym? Absolutely not! For me, the gym isn't the end goal. But it helps me keep doing the things I love.
And that's one of the main reasons I brought Curves to New Plymouth. A 30-minute workout designed to build the strength and fitness we need for everyday life.
I strength train because I want to keep doing the things I love. I want the strength to climb hills and do multi-day hikes, the balance to negotiate uneven ground and the confidence to keep getting out there. And I know that maintaining my strength now will give me a better chance of continuing to do those things as I get older.
The same applies to many of the answers people gave at the forum. Getting up off the floor requires strength and mobility. Carrying the chook food requires strength. Walking requires balance, endurance and confidence.
We don't necessarily need to love exercising for its own sake. Sometimes it helps to think about what exercise allows us to do.
We have more influence than we might think
Of course, we can't control everything about ageing. Our bodies change, health conditions develop, and sometimes life throws things at us that we never expected.
But there is plenty we can influence.
Maintaining our strength, moving regularly, eating well, looking after our brain health, staying socially connected and having a sense of purpose all contribute to ageing well. And it's never just about physical fitness.
For me, trapping ticks quite a few boxes. I'm physically active, spending time in nature, connecting with others, and contributing to something I care about. The important thing is finding what matters to you and looking at how you can give yourself the best chance of continuing to do it.
What would you put on the board?
If I'd asked you that question at the forum, what would you have written? Maybe it's gardening, playing with grandchildren, travelling, walking the dog, enjoying your hobbies, or simply being able to manage everyday tasks independently.
Whatever it is, it's worth thinking about. Because ageing well isn't just about adding years to our lives. It's about living those years in ways that matter to us.
What does ageing well mean to you?
Want to keep doing the things you love?
If you'd like support to stay strong, active and confident as you age, I can help through my healthy ageing coaching and personal training.
I offer a free, no-obligation 20-minute introductory conversation to explore what matters to you and how I might be able to help.
