Regular exercise in middle age – same benefits as giving up smoking!

I heard about some research that suggested taking up exercise in middle age was highly beneficial in terms of health and longevity. It was a swedish study.

Then I did a bit of searching around and found this on one of the news sites (CNN)

So at 50 as suggested by the swedish report, I started doing so light running 3 times a week as well as some weights.  Now dont get me wrong, actually since my late twenties I have always tried to do some regular exercise, but at times have found myself demotivated and discouraged, or going to a gym health club and using the sauna more than the gym.  So I cancelled my gym membership and have started to look at what i can do to motivate myself and keep fit at home.

I go running now 3 times a week with my wife, its encouraged her too, we don’t over do it, start slow and small and build up, is the idea.  I can already feel the benefits in my mind, never mind my body.

Then I took up my gym membership again, started playing some raquet sports , then using the gym again, getting a programme that suited me, started encouraging my son, so you see how it goes.  Motivation is often taking a step back and looking at what you are doing engaging the will in a more skilful way and suddenly finding yourself along way forward on the path to your goals.