Your Health, Your Choice: Exercise can start at any age

The line was: “If you didn't know your age, how old would you think you were?”

It's an interesting question.

You might be 65 in years, but feel 50 when you're out walking, cycling or playing with your grandchildren.

Conversely, you might be 65 and feel much older because you're tired, unfit and struggling to do things that used to come easily.

Of course, we can't turn back the clock.

If I had that skill, I'd be a rich man!

Our bodies naturally change as we age, and there are some things we simply can't do as easily as we once could.

But there is a danger in letting the number of candles on our birthday cake dictate what we believe we can do.

I see this when I tell people that I'm still doing Ironman races in my 60s.

Some are impressed, but others tell me they think they're too old to do something like that, or even too old to start exercising.

That always makes me wonder: how much of what we think is possible is determined by our actual physical abilities, and how much by our beliefs about our age?

Unless there's a genuine physical reason that prevents you from doing something, you're not necessarily too old to start.

You might need to adapt to what you do, start more gently or take longer to progress, but age alone shouldn't be the deciding factor.

If you start thinking that you're too old for something, you may eventually stop doing those things.

You become less active, lose strength and fitness, and everyday activities become harder.

Before long, you might feel older than you need to, or older than you are.

In other words, you can sometimes think yourself into being old.

The good news is that this works the other way, too.

If you believe there's still plenty you can do, you're more likely to stay active, challenge yourself and look after your health.

I'm not suggesting that attitude alone will keep you young.

But it can influence the choices you make, and those choices can make a real difference.

I've seen people start strength training in their 60s and 70s and become stronger than they have been for years.

People take up running, learn to swim, walk further and discover new activities well into later life.

They aren't necessarily trying to turn the clock back.

They're finding out what they're still capable of.

So, the next time you catch yourself saying, “I'm too old for that,” ask yourself whether this is actually true.

Is there a genuine physical reason you can't do it, or have you simply decided that people your age don't do these things?

You don't have to prove anything to anyone.

But don't let your age make decisions for you before you've even tried.

And if you want to feel younger, start by doing the things that help you stay strong, fit and active.

Your age is a fact.

What you do with it is up to you.

If you'd like some help finding out what you're capable of, whatever your age, I'd love to help.

Visit coachpete.co.uk.