Can you guess what I dislike about getting older the most? I’m an avid traveller, love to exercise and get out in the great outdoors, and I love a challenge. But what peeves me the most about my “loves” is that as I get older the less my body wants to co-operate. It simply isn’t as flexible and reactive as it used to be. So with this in mind I’m here to tell you about 5 ways to keep travel fit as we get older.
In my case, I have lower back issues, a little bursitis in both hips and one shoulder. I know I sound like a mess! However I do not use these complaints as an excuse to get out of exercise. I still exercise every single day by either walking, doing a Pilates or Yoga class a few times a week or by riding my bicycle, (rather than driving my car).
Health professionals advise putting some weight bearing exercises into your fitness regime, which is something I have trouble with because of my shoulder. So I do Studio Pilates that does use some light hand weights and a system of pulleys and ropes on a reformer, that creates resistance and is much gentler than lifting heavy weights.
Cycling is a great way to keep fit
I also try to include hills and stairs in my morning walks and also up the speed of my walking pace so that I’m slightly puffed. When I’m travelling I like to walk everywhere to explore my surrounds and really immerse myself in the city or town that I’m visiting. I also love to do some long hikes, so keeping physically fit is extremely important to me so that I can do these things.
Once we retire and leave work there is the problem of lack of mental stimulation for our minds. Some retirees become avid readers, play cards or do puzzles. However I recommend taking up a mental challenge such as learning a new language, doing short courses or finding a part-time job for a few hours a week.
Keep learning as you get older and engage your mind
In my case I work part-time as a web writer/social media manager for a Hotel/Resort Marketing Company and I have this wonderful blog to keep my mind stimulated. When you’re travelling you really need to have your wits about you. There are times when travel can be very challenging mentally when you’re trying to read a map, a train timetable, find accommodation or decipher a foreign language. So keeping your mind sharp is just as important as keeping physically fit.
A huge part of our overall fitness as we get older includes our hearing fitness. As we age, the likelihood of experiencing hearing loss increases, with around 60% of people aged over 60 having some kind of hearing loss. Because age-related hearing loss occurs gradually, you may not be aware your hearing is diminishing.
So if you’re experiencing any of these things, then it might be time to get your hearing checked:
Keeping hearing-fit is extremely important
I think out of the four things listed above, I’m guilty of talking too loud so I think it’s time for me to have my hearing tested. I certainly want to be able to hear conversations with other travellers and I don’t want to miss a word of what the tour guide is saying on my next overseas trip! We all need to keep an ear out on our hearing fitness as we age.
Make it a priority to have your hearing checked on a regular basis, and with Australian Hearing, the checks are all conducted by experts and take around five minutes to complete.
As well as hearing fitness, it’s also important to have a thorough medical check-up prior to travelling overseas or for extended periods. There would be nothing worse than getting ill when you’re travelling or running out of your prescription medication.
Make sure you have a medical checkup before you travel
Your GP will run a set of blood tests to check your overall health, take your blood pressure, listen to your heart and take your pulse. He or she may also weigh you and suggest dieting if you’re a little overweight. Also during your check-up ensure that you have enough prescription meds to last you for the trip and ask about preventative medications such as vaccinations. I also advise getting a script for some antibiotics, anti-nausea or diarrhoea tablets. In some countries you need to be aware of certain dangers with drinking their water or the risk of catching diseases that we’re not exposed to in our country.
As we get older we still need to keep social by interacting with other people. This contributes to our mental wellbeing, feeling loved and cared for. Once we lose our partner, it’s no longer an excuse not to travel. There are still plenty of opportunities to be had by travelling with a friend or group of friends, finding a group travel company that caters for your age group or even by taking a holiday with family members.
Travelling solo with an organised tour group is a great way to see the world
I often travel with girlfriends or with one of my children. In fact I’m off on a girl’s weekend to Melbourne soon with my 27-year old daughter. I have a few girlfriends that are divorced or widowed and they are all travelling to far away and foreign places, solo or with a tour group. They are off seeing the world and meeting new and interesting people and are certainly not twiddling their thumbs at home!
So make sure as you get a little older to keep yourself travel fit so that you keep on enjoying travel experiences well into your old age.
What are your thoughts? Do you think it’s important to keep travel fit as we get older? Do you have any tips? I’d love to hear them.
I am really happy to work with our sponsor, Australian Hearing, today to share this crucial information with you!
This post is part of the Lovin’ Life Linky with a Lovin’ Life Team of the “ageing positively” kind who are as keen as I am to promote the Lovin’ Life mindset.
The Lovin’ Life Team includes:
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Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
March 22, 2018Excellent tips Kathy and really so easy to do – it is just a matter of doing them. My friends do reformer pilates and I know Min does too. I must check it out as I have lower back problems as well. I have been going to an osteopath and she has helped me become 99% pain free plus I can still run. Keeping our minds healthy and socialising are all vital for positive aging. We are definitely on the same page and spreading the message that aging shouldn’t hold us back. Have a great week and thanks for the link up. Don’t forget to link up to our Midlife Share the Love Party each Wednesday as we would love to have you join us.
Kathy
March 22, 2018We are on the same page Sue! I do love to keep fit and try to ward off the issues of ageing. Sorry but I’m incredibly busy at the moment, but I will linky up to your Wednesday link when I get a chance. #TeamLovinLife
Min@WriteoftheMiddle
March 22, 2018Fantastic tips Kathy! I love my Reformer Pilates. Need to fit more walking but I’m mostly active every day. #TeamLovinLife
Kathy
March 22, 2018Me too Min. I do this really intense reformer pilates class called KX Pilates that gives me a really good work out. I walk almost every morning, except for when it rains (like this morning).
Jo
March 22, 2018So agree Kathy. In the last couple of years I’ve realised that I can’t take fitness for granted anymore and most things have to be worked at now … from paying attention to exercise and keeping my joints supple, to having medical check ups regularly to hopefully catch things in the bud if they get worse. Getting older is more time consuming that’s for sure!
Kathy
March 22, 2018It certainly is Jo. I feel like I’m continually having medical checkups, scans, pap smears, breast exams, physio on my back and shoulder and the list goes on! But I think it’s all worth it to keep age at bay and make the most of our senior years. #TeamLovinLife
jodie filogomo
March 22, 2018These are such perfect tips, Kathy!!
I know many of us tend to think we are on the home stretch, but we might as well keep in the best shape we can!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Kathy
March 22, 2018Thanks Jodie. I think as we age you really need to keep on top of these things to enjoy life to the fullest. #TeamLovinLife
Natalie
March 22, 2018All great tips, Kathy! I agree it’s important to keep travel fit as we get older. Our quality of life is so much better when we’re fit.
Kathy
March 22, 2018You’re spot on Natalie. I can’t imagine an existence being unfit and unable to do the things I want to do (including lots of travel!) #TeamLovinLife
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
March 22, 2018Staying healthy and physically fit as we get older is incredibly important. My mum has reached her mid 70’s and a sedentary life has definitely caught up with her. Carrying extra weight for the last couple of decades has played havoc with her knees + arthritis doesn’t help. She is still busy and has a full life but it is definitely playing into where she travels these days and how much walking will be involved.
Kathy
March 22, 2018That’s sad Leanne, because I don’t consider mid 70s to be that old these days. My mum is in her 80s and she is also having issues (broken hip and cellulitis in her legs). She has also been too sedentary for too long. There are some valuable lessons to be learnt here. #TeamLovinLife
Sydney Shop Girl
March 22, 2018Excellent tips,Kathy! I’m planning ahead with these in mind.
SSG xxx
Kathy
March 22, 2018Good for you! I’m hoping to be travelling well into my old age. #TeamLovinLife
Jan Wild
March 22, 2018Great advice here Kathy and I am going to pin it. I am feeling so unfit at the moment and carrying too much weight, so getting back into a routine and embracing Pilates is high on my list once we get settled again. Like you I have had some bursitis in a hip and I have a scoliosis. I have had to learn that I have discomfort whether I exercise or not so best to exercise ;-)
Kathy
March 22, 2018It’s easy to find excuses to not exercise when you have a few little niggles here and there. Pilates and visits to an Osteopath have really helped me with my lower back and hips. I find sometimes when I do a lot of stairs or uphill walking it plays havoc on my hips, but I try not to use this as an excuse not to do these things. I’m sure you’ll get back into the swing of things when you’re re-settled. #TeamLovinLife
Jo Tracey
March 22, 2018Great advice here. I think it’s super important to stretch your mind. I think it helps you deal with the unexpected when that occurs as your brain is nimble enough to come up with solutions.
Kathy
March 22, 2018I really notice the difference with people older than myself that regularly exercise their minds. The trick is to keep challenging our minds and find stimulating things to do. That is why travel is so good for us!
Melissa@allaroundoz
March 23, 2018Very informative post Kathy. I’m not as fit as I should be and like you I love going for a good bush walk when we’re travelling so I need to keep on top of it. I also know my hearing is not what it should be especially at work when it’s really noisy.
Kathy
March 23, 2018As long as you realise you’re not as fit as you would like to be, at least you can start to do something about just by walking a little each day. I’m also heading off to get my hearing checked, even though it’s something I’ve never considered necessary before. #TeamLovinLife
Deborah
March 25, 2018I’m about to go on my first cruise and though I’m not overly worried about my weight / fitness cos it’s only 5 days I’m thinking I want to keep mentally and physically healthy while travelling. I gather the boat (or perhaps they all do) has a walking track etc so – though I’m not taking sneakers – I’m taking comfy shoes and will do some incidental wandering (which is all I really do now!).
Kathy
March 25, 2018Yes most cruise ships do have a walking/running promenade that goes right around the ship and they all have a fitness centre if you feel inclined to jump on a treadmill. If you’re getting off the ship to explore you get plenty of walking in so I wouldn’t worry too much about getting enough exercise. Have fun!!!
Life Images by Jill
March 25, 2018great tips Kathy. Naughty me, I haven’t been walking for ages, and know I need to get back out and do it. I was, but somehow it has slipped out of my radar. I do keep mind and socially fit though in lots of other ways. Happy keeping on keeping fit!
Kathy
March 26, 2018Yes I notice that you do engage your mind a lot Jill with your various activities, so good for you. I have just taken up Lawn Bowls and I’m loving it. It will be a great social outlet for me. We do indeed to keep travel fit! #TeamLovinLife