Ian’s story
“It’s almost like you’ve oiled up all the joints… and you can go out and face the day.”
As a taxi driver, Ian saw plenty of older people who didn’t take care of their health. That’s why he vowed to try to move and stay active as he aged. He’s found ways to adjust how he moves as he manages his lung condition, like switching to an electric bike so that he can get up hills more easily. He loves to travel, and wants to make the most of every year he’s got – even more motivation for staying active and, in his words, not giving up on life.
How Ian gets moving
Working out with at-home equipment makes Ian feel like he can move more easily and lifts his mood. He can do his workouts at times that fit his schedule, and can break up his activity throughout the morning or even the whole day. His at home workouts also allow him to start and stop easily, which can be helpful if his energy is low. In addition to these activities, Ian enjoys relaxing with some Tai Chi, a hobby he picked up on one of his trips abroad.
Since we first met Ian, his mental health took a knock, but he’s found that when he was able to restart his exercise routines he felt the positive effects almost immediately. Now, he is active daily, choosing to swim when he can. After a swim he notices that he feels more positive and has a “willingness to carry on and find positive things to occupy [his] time like volunteering.”
Workouts
Find accessible workouts and ways to get moving that naturally fit into your daily routine. Enjoyable, easy, and convenient, these movements aim to simplify and reframe what being physically active looks like.
Asthma and Lung Conditions
It’s normal to get out of breath when you’re active, but we know people with lung conditions get anxious about being breathless. If you have a lung condition, being active can help improve your quality of life and support you to manage your condition. We can help you get active in a way that works for you and your lung condition.
Physical activity for older people
As we get older our bodies can lose muscle mass and bone density, which can go on to affect our strength, balance and posture. But one way to stay as fit and as healthy as possible is to move more.
Swimming
Take a dip, try water aerobics, walk in water, or count lengths as you move through water in a way that works for you.