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Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#111

Post by beaconstudios »

tomjen3 wrote: post #5
oblio wrote: post #2

"Mens sana in corpore sano", says 10000th study :) The real question: is there anyone out there that really debates that exercising constantly = better, longer life?

Nobody credible. The real question is how do you get people of their ass and start exercising? This includes me, I feel much better on days I make it to the gym.

make it more convenient to go than to not go - hack your routine. Once you're there, you'll be less likely to resist the small amount of effort to actually work out.

Leave your work access card (or some other daily essential) in a locker overnight if they'll let you, so you have to go to the gym in the morning no matter what.

Take pre-workout in a morning or before you leave work so you have too much energy to _not_ go to the gym.

You only need to bootstrap the habit. Then it becomes natural.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#112

Post by dv35z »

pizza234 wrote: post #32
eyan wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The real question is how do you get people of their ass and start exercising? You don't. You wait for them until they decide and act on their decision.

That is not an effective strategy. Decisions are backed by the environment (in a broad sense), so it's important to understand (for the sake of effectiveness) which changes can be done to the environment, to stimulate taking such decision[s].

I'll say one thing - my dad is 70, doubtful he's ever had a gym routine. But, as he's gained wait, he's had interest in better diet, losing weight. He told me he'd consider exercise. So I took him to his nearby gym, wrote down two checklists (an "A" day, and "B" say) and showed him the exercises, how weights & machines work, got him familiar/comfortable/unafraid of it. I think a big "friction" is people thinking "I have no idea what I'd even do in the gym". So having a plan helps that. That was a few weeks ago, and he's been in the gym a couple times a week in the morning. Super proud of him - as you can imagine, getting my older stubborn dad to learn a new truck is a tough sell!

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#113

Post by brianwawok »

crusso wrote: post #97
dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

Some years back, I re-evaluated how I spend my free time (not working, not with the family). I knew that I mostly surfed online or watched TV. I decided to only watch TV if I could be in the midst of a workout. I spent a few hundred bucks getting some basic exercise equipment for my home and I began using it almost every day after work in the evenings. I'm very pleased with that decision. It's produced great results…

There is a really good npr story on this. Basically you deny yourself a specific pleasure unless you do a chore.

I use for for podcasts and indoor cycling. I could only poscast when i cycled.

Worked really Well. Indoor cycling is mentally hard, but I looked forward to it so I could hear my podcasts.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#114

Post by brianwawok »

ekianjo wrote: post #101
2845197541 wrote: post #20

On one side of my family retirement for my grandparents meant long days vegetating in front of the television with little dogs to pet. Church on Sundays were really their only time out. This brought dementia by age 80 and a host of other issues and they are on their way out. On the other side my grandfather plays basketball, golfs, runs, reads a book every few days, even drinks at a bar. No dementia. Sharp as a tack.…

there is no very strong link between lack of activity and dementia though. Anecdotal evidence is just that.

This is not true at all. Google exercise and dementia. Hundreds of studies. It's the single beat cure.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#116

Post by r_singh »

theprop wrote: post #86

Do not say you're too busy to exercise. Your productivity is much higher when you exercise. Do not say you're too old to exercise. The older you are, the more crucial it is. Get in the habit. Start with even just 2 intense minutes a day. Once you're in the habit, you'll work out longer.

Precisely, one should quit all excuses!

My father was prescribed to storvas (for cholesterol) over a decade ago... luckily he is an avid reader and soon found out what road the permanent meds lead to.

He quit the meds and started working out consistently (never mind spondylitis which he combatted with bed rest) for 10 years (and still continuing).

Today, he's over 50 and is killing it in every aspect in life. His mind is sharp, business is good and best of all he can run over 6kms in 30 minutes (plus all the weights and stuff)! He's now reducing running for his knees and cycles out youngsters half his age 3 times a week (with 3 times weight training).

This could've been a very different picture if he continued with prescribed meds. After experiencing this, he's purchased workout plans for everyone in the family for 9 years straight and wants us to treat workouts like we brush our teeth (nevermind if we don't get competitive).

I work way better if I exercise, it's like the clock for my life even in my 20s. Never want to lose the habit.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#117

Post by ptaipale »

drcross wrote: post #60
acchow wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is the evolutionary explanation for this?

Evolution doesn't care as long as you reach reproductive age and carry out that task properly.

... and live long after that in good health, to support your offsprings and help them succeed in their reproduction.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#118

Post by dagw »

aaron-lebo wrote: post #48
sooheon wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you read the study and point out a flaw, thank you for your contribution. If you make a zero effort "observation" which makes it clear you didn't even skim the abstract, you're adding nothing of value.

You're right. It's not arrogance though, just laziness?

Laziness would be not bothering to comment

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#119

Post by mkingston »

dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

Here's a trick: find a friend who you feel you can't bail on and who won't bail on you. Pick a regular time you can both attend. Find some exercise/sport you both enjoy. Now, if it's just your one friend, you'll feel bad bailing, and so will they. Additionally, if it's a reasonably social activity, you'll combine socialising and exercise.

Alternatively, do this with the gf. As long as you won't let each other off the hook, that is..

Something else that worked really well for me for a while was a small running/dinner club. We'd all get together one evening and go for a fairly social, chatty run, followed by dinner at one attendee's place. Burgers, pizza, whatever, something that's pretty quick and easy to toss together. Again, mixing socialising and exercise. The only reason this has stopped happening is because I've temporarily stopped running due to injury.

One more thing: I suspect anything less than 30 minutes a day of exercise is sort of "free" time. Many people report feeling more alert and getting better sleep with regular exercise. So you may regain that 30 minutes per day with increased productivity, or possibly even less time sleeping due to better sleep. (Citation needed!).

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#120

Post by Clubber »

theprop wrote: post #86

Do not say you're too busy to exercise. Your productivity is much higher when you exercise. Do not say you're too old to exercise. The older you are, the more crucial it is. Get in the habit. Start with even just 2 intense minutes a day. Once you're in the habit, you'll work out longer.

I find that if I walk 30 minutes, 3 days a week, I feel significantly better. I've been going to the gym lately and feel even better than that. The point being, is we've become so lethargic that 30 minute walk, 3 days a week is a great start and easy to accomplish.
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