Fitness After 60: How To Start Running in 6 Easy Steps

Fitness After 60: How To Start Running in 6 Easy Steps. Fitness after 60 isn't complicated. Come to think of it, fitness isn't complicated at ANY age. Move more and eat better. It's that simple... well, at least it would be IF we were robots.

The truth is that while we all understand on an intellectual level what it takes to get in shape, many of us struggle with motivation, prioritization, and procrastination issues.

The trick, I have found, is to focus on activities that you actually LOVE to do. For example, my son, who is in his 40s and has 2 small kids at home, watches movies while exercising on an elliptical machine. It's the only 60 minutes of the day that he has to himself and it also helps him to stay in shape.

So, today, I want to talk about a form of exercise that many of us have dismissed... but, that perhaps we should give a second look. Running.

Here are 6 easy steps to start running, no matter your age or fitness level. Enjoy the show!

Have you ever tried running for exercise? What do you think are the keys to fitness over 60? What do you do to stay in shape? Let's have a chat!

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[marlenatopple]

I am 64 and try to run 3 times a week. I started in my 50s. I am very slow but I improve when I am consistent with my training. I have lost 8 stone since I started running. My advice would be to start slow with walking with short bursts of slow jogging every 2 minutes. Find a Couch to 5K programme in your community or on line. I would also go along to Parkrun where you will see plenty of people in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s. Just watch if you are nervous then start by walking round with short bursts of jogging. Thtere are always people walking. I have joined a running club and people are so supportive and encouraging. Running helps me manage my weight, get fit, it is great for my mental health and I have met some lovely people along the way. Don’t hesitate. Go for it but start slow..

[susanfisher]

I am a runner at age 62. I recommend alternating running and walking for always. I run 2 1/2 minutes and walk for 1 minute. I have actually improved my time and have much fewer injuries than when I ran continuously. I love it!

[noracoyle]

I'm 64 and a retired nurse I've bin really bad with depression and my GP wants to start me on anti depressants. I'm not comfortable about this I feel encouraged by this talk and might just give it a go.

[davidlj]

Thank you, great video, I’m 68 and I’m ready to run! I already walk 2 miles a day but my goal is to run a 5k by my 70th bday!

[blunsford]

I’m 66 years old and just started running and walking 45 days ago! My first few days, 2 miles were a lot for me to just walk, but I decided to see how many miles I could walk and at the end of 5 days, I was able to walk 4 miles. I have been walking 4 miles a day since! This past week, it rained and is getting dark early, so I found I was jogging in short spirts, because I was running out of daylight and wanted to make it back to my car before dark and also because one time I got caught in the rain! I’m really starting to like jogging! I am now adding jogging to my daily 4 miles. I do often hope people aren’t too uncomfortable watching me run at my age but I do enjoy what I’m doing.

[rosabella]

I’ve added running from telephone pole to telephone pole .. building up month by to my walks... one distance the first month.. then the second month I added another pole distance... I am now up to jogging up to 4 pole distances during my 30 minute walk. Goal is to jog the entire 30 minutes! I am almost 64.

[barbaracanerdy]

I am 62 & have been working to improve my health and weight. As we age we can get a mindset we can't do certain things anymore. I believe that sets us up for health issues. I believe I can do most things I set my mind to do. I have friends who ride bikes and run. I ran when young, but haven't in years. I am determined to try again. Thanks for comments to aid in my knowledge on how to do this right, but also the video to truly guide us and encourage us to just do it.
I truly believe it all starts with the state of mind we are in and the faith in ourselves that we can do something. If we try we know, but if we don't, we will never know. I want these years to be some of my best. God bless everyone who is trying and may you enjoy your success. You won by trying!!!

[Jacqueline_R]

My physical therapist wants me to do some jogging. ( I have hip soreness/ pain) so far, I can only do 30 seconds at a time. I'm up to 4 -5 min. I walk the rest. My walks are 30 min to 2 hours now.

[normacostin]

At 84 I find aqua arobics are great whole body exercise. You can do gentle aqua. Great fun as well.

[ravenmcshanecasimir]

Margaret, I am going to add and was planning on adding jogging/running to my walking routine and I am a little nervous about it all... I used to run all the time with the military and often I cry over not being the "in shape" wonder woman I once was....I know this step will bring back memories of when I could run 2 miles in less than 16 or 17 minutes or so---but I am not going to let these old memories make me nostalgic and not want to make new memories now--even if they are not the same as when I was young and more in shape. I am not even sure when it all went awry, but one day I looked myself and knew I was not the same person physically. Even cycling....when I lived in Georgia on Ft. Gordon, I could bike 30 miles no problem. On my group ride last Saturday, I barely pushed out 6.86, and that was very hard for me. But, I managed to join a cycling club and make new memories, so I know I can do this with running as well!! Thank you for these tips!

[deb]

I loved running in my 40's and early 50's. Then I got burned out, knee started to be achy but I want at 60 to do it again in the spring. This time though I'm walk/jogging and not trying to beat anything. I did a 5k walk this way recently and it was fun.

[TheRunningUniversity]

Yes!!! It's not running that causes injuries but HOW you run. I"m 54 and and an ultra runner and coach. I love helping women over 50 find the joy in walking and running! Such a great way to stay in shape and it's very much a social activity for many of my ladies over 50! I"ve got 60 year olds doing their first ultra marathons with me!

[annmariethomas]

Running is not for everyone, but it can work for older women. I’ve run regularly for 20+ years, since I was 42. I’ve done three marathons (about ten years ago), over 35 half marathons with the most recent last summer, and shorter races. I would like a group of older women runners to run with. Your advice is great. Thanks for the encouragement. PS I have a piece of Ghirardelli’s of chocolate after every single run!

[NIT]

I started running when i attained age of 51. Within 6 months I got my PB of 2:12 in Half Marathon

[francesmingo]

Very good information. I used to run in my 30s and 40s, now I’m 67 and I would like to get back to it even though I have a problem with my knees and ankles. I feel like it will help with my bone density. Have a safe day this is 2021 and I pray you are healthy.

[curvygirlzrock]

Hi Margaret,
I started jogging in my pool over a year ago
I am up to 45 minutes. It is a great alternative or something you can do on alternative days.
I am going to buy a small trampoline which is also another way of adding running in a low impact mode. Good luck to all the ladies!
Ana Sophia

[CREATEDHISGLORY]

I am 60 and run 5 miles 5 times a week. I absolutely love it! These tips are everything I do. I run besides the water and it is so lovely. I would add to one thing to this list and that is to run as early as it is possible. It sets you up for a great day! I live in Florida, so the weather is perfect for running in the morning. I also do about half an hour of stretching after each run. It is essential for our older muscles to get this release. Yoga is good too.

[faststratjo]

This is great! Walking/running is a great activity you can do outside while socially distanced, perfect for these times. I've always been a runner who had problems with his knees, shin splints etc but this time has been different. I started really slow just walking then mixing in a bit of jogging but what really got me off to a hopefully great start was watching someone else run at a really slow pace. He looked about my age (mid sixties) and he looked like he could go all day.

So using this guy as an example of how to do it I started. I had developed a bit of an aerobic base from walking and hiking and so far my knees are holding up. I've done two 5k runs in about 48 minutes at about a 16 minute pace. What I've finally learned is you have to start really slow and build up a base, both aerobically and for your muscles and joints.

I'm hoping to eventually do some cross country races, maybe even short triathlons, but I'm not going to rush those.

One thing I might add, I find running on uneven surfaces much easier on the knees. Running on pavement for me leads to repetitive stress injuries so I'll stick to trail running and gravel roads which I'm fortunate to have near me.

[ladytradiej]

I'm 60 in 2 months and going to take it up again after a 23 year, looking after childfren break, I hope . 😅
Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately I did buy shoes yesterday and went in parkrun today, but I walked, I'm starting slow...

[mariarooney]

Thank you. Just the inspiration I needed to do what I’ve been thinking about for some time.