[Evans, Marv]

Lots of great advice in this old thread. Bob Deluke's post above is probably the perfect way for an older person to maintain some strength, conditioning, and mobility. I'll turn 83 in about two weeks and still keep busy with chores and repairs around my place, along with some walking (up & down hill - that's the way it is around where i live) and occasional hikes of 4 to five miles. Today I fired up my tractor, hauled some dirt, filled in some depresssions in the yard, and cut some long, dry grasses with one of those old blade cutters you swing. In a few minutes, I've got to get up onto the roof and clean my solar panels. One negative thing that's occurred in the past couple of years for me is SARCOPENIA. I've discovered I've lost an inch to inch & a half in height and lost almost 20 lbs. of useable muscle. That sucks. I'm also beginning to notice my balance isn't exactly what it has always been (excellent), and activities that involve the effort of large muscle groups is more tiring and require more effort. You go through life feeling like all these things will never visit you, but it happens. My advice is to take some of the advice in this thread to heart and keep it up.