Did I think as an 18 year old, “I better start exercising now cause one day I’ll by 60 years old and boy oh boy I’ll be SO glad I started.”

lol. Nope. I was seeking relief from a painful back ache.

But here I am now, in my 60th year reaping the benefits of 4 decades of lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, running, stretching.
The NIA (National Institue on Aging in the USA) lists the real-life benefits of exercise:

• Keep and improve your strength so you can stay independent
• Have more energy to do the things you want to do and reduce fatigue
• Improve your balance and lower risk of falls and injuries from falls
• Manage and prevent some diseases like arthritis, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and 8 types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer
• Sleep better at home
• Reduce levels of stress and anxiety
• Reach or maintain a healthy weight and reduce risk of excessive weight gain
• Control your blood pressure
• Possibly improve or maintain some aspects of cognitive function, such as your ability to shift quickly between tasks or plan an activity
• Perk up your mood and reduce feelings of depression

I can add my personal “real-life benefits of exercise” to leading an active lifestyle complete, with being able to haul and lay a flagstone walkway!

Not bad eh……………