I just read a post by a gentleman who said they had just given up their RV lifestyle They were in their 80's!!!At age 68 I would love to be able to keep at it another 10-15 years.With that goal in mind I have stepped up my exercise program so I have better general overall fitness.I met with a personal trainer at the YMCA and told him what I wanted to accomplish. I am now on a program of aerobic exercise, weight lifting and stretching. I can feel the difference in flexibility and strength already. It takes strength and stamina for some of the set-up. unloading and hook-up of a travel trailer as well as the hiking and biking we do.Do you have a program to keep fit and healthy so you can enjoy the RV lifestyle as long as possible?

I also work at staying as fit as possible and applaud you for your efforts. The work is worth it, isn't it?However, I am 71 and during the past 10 years have had 2 knee replacements, a broken ankle, and a back injury. Sometimes life just throws it at you. I find that my trips have changed from drive/hike to drive/sightsee/stroll, but I am still out there, still enjoying RV travel safely. That's what matters, that we enjoy it and do so safely for ourselves and others. In addition to your personal trainer program, you might take a look at http://www.thefitrv.com/, which shows exercises specifically for issues common to RVers.

Diet and exercise are everything!I get some exercise one way of another every day. If I'm not doing something strenuous or aerobic I use our Elliptical (which I hate). We've also cut the fat out of our diets and work hard to eat healthy and maintain a reasonable weight.I plan on not just RV'ing but also LIVING a good long time.

Many years ago, a group of scientists did a study. The compared the life span of the tsetse fly and the elephant.The tsetse fly has a life span of about 48 hours. From the time the fly hatches, reproduces, and dies, is only about 2 days total.On the other hand, the elephant has a life expectancy of 80 YEARS.When they scientists did their study, the determined that the number of heat beats were identical between the two animals.Now, think about that? The same number of heart beats being used up in 2 days, or 80 years? I think I'll take the 80 years. Forget the exercise! It makes your heart beat faster! I'll keep my heartbeats as long as possible! (That my excuse to NOT exercise!) :B

I've run 25-28 miles a week for the last 8 years. This fall I've transitioned that partly over to using an Elliptical vigorously for 45-50 minutes per day. Partly because I'm tired of running through Idaho winters, partly as a change of pace and partly because I'm a little concerned about the toll my joints have taken over that many miles of pounding. My wife exercises daily as well. Also as a family we try to have active hobbies such as skiing, hiking, biking, etc. We are in our late 30s. The benefits of being fit far outweigh the effort it takes to maintain it, or at least that's been our experience thus far. With regard to the comment above about cutting fat from the diet, that's too simplistic. Whole fat dairy is healthier than reduced fat dairy for all ages, and there are many healthy fats that are an essential part of a good diet. I'm not advocating a bacon sandwich for lunch every day, but the standard healthy diet script we've been fed the last 30 years is pure nonsense funded by big industry.

Another take on this..Don't put it off till tomorrow. If you want do do something like travel or whatever, do it while you can.I was in good shape keeping fit, doing what I wanted to do. A year ago I started suffering from arthritic pain, last Winter I couldn't go up stairs. All this came out of nowhere. I've been on medication for nine months now and I'm almost back to normal but I know it's lurking around the corner.Get out now and enjoy.

Staying in Shape to RV Longer | Good Sam Community

37 Replies

Gjac
Explorer III
Nov 23, 2016
CarolynandBob wrote:
2gypsies wrote:
Many places now have a new fast-growing sport called Pickleball. It's very, very popular with seniors and is excellent exercise. We play 4-6x/week and we're in our mid-70's and have knee replacements.

We just started playing and love it. When we start full timing in January we are hoping to find people to play with. We play mainly at the YMCA here in east San Diego County. Do you or anyone else know if a YMCA membership will work cross country?
Yes the Y has an away program which allows you to go to Y's that participate in the program and most do.
CarolynandBob
Explorer
Nov 22, 2016
2gypsies wrote:
CarolynandBob wrote:
2gypsies wrote:
Many places now have a new fast-growing sport called Pickleball. It's very, very popular with seniors and is excellent exercise. We play 4-6x/week and we're in our mid-70's and have knee replacements.

We just started playing and love it. When we start full timing in January we are hoping to find people to play with. We play mainly at the YMCA here in east San Diego County. Do you or anyone else know if a YMCA membership will work cross country?

Check this out as you travel. Also, many RV parks now have pickleball. You don't need a 'Y' membership to play free at many places.

http://www.usapa.org/places-to-play-pickleball/?code=AZ

Thank you
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Nov 22, 2016
drsteve wrote:
YouTube is full of stretching and exercise vids.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2aBPh_2eEo

Good point. Thanks for posting that.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Nov 21, 2016
eheading wrote:
Well, I will turn 80 in a month, and my wife is 4 months behind me. We have not done any special exercise plans, but do keep busy. We did downsize from a 41' motorhome to a 34' a few years ago, but our still enjoying our RV and traveling. THis summer was a light one, travelwise, only covered 6000 miles. We've been RVing for 50 years this coming spring, maybe that has something to do with it. Personally I just think we have been very blessed, and the two of us are VERY thankful for that!@

Ed Headington

I am in a very similar situation but have about two additional months to wait until 80. We plan to continue to RV for one more year and conclude our travels with a trip to Texas next winter. After that our RV will be permanently parked in our sons campground in Michigan to be used as our "summer place" :)

I echo Ed's last sentence.
Barney
jesseannie
Explorer
Nov 21, 2016
We joined the YMCA with our medicare Advantage Silver Sneakers plan. The neat thing about that is the card is good anywhere that accepts it. You can use it on the road even for a short time while camping.
jesseannie
eheading
Explorer
Nov 20, 2016
Well, I will turn 80 in a month, and my wife is 4 months behind me. We have not done any special exercise plans, but do keep busy. We did downsize from a 41' motorhome to a 34' a few years ago, but our still enjoying our RV and traveling. THis summer was a light one, travelwise, only covered 6000 miles. We've been RVing for 50 years this coming spring, maybe that has something to do with it. Personally I just think we have been very blessed, and the two of us are VERY thankful for that!@

Ed Headington
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Nov 20, 2016
CarolynandBob wrote:
2gypsies wrote:
Many places now have a new fast-growing sport called Pickleball. It's very, very popular with seniors and is excellent exercise. We play 4-6x/week and we're in our mid-70's and have knee replacements.

We just started playing and love it. When we start full timing in January we are hoping to find people to play with. We play mainly at the YMCA here in east San Diego County. Do you or anyone else know if a YMCA membership will work cross country?

Check this out as you travel. Also, many RV parks now have pickleball. You don't need a 'Y' membership to play free at many places.

http://www.usapa.org/places-to-play-pickleball/?code=AZ
Aridon
Explorer
Nov 20, 2016
The whole diet and exercise is everything is partly true but genetics can take you for a bad turn or maybe your work history. No one will argue that working outdoors in construction is "exercise" but it will also tear up your body like nothing else. Throw in some genetic conditions like RA, osteo etc and you can have issues regardless of what you do.

You simply have to deal with life and the cards you are dealt. Some can be active into their 80s and 90's even while others can be a shell of a person in their late 60's with Alzheimers.

Enjoy the time you have and get to the best of your ability and try and not hurt yourself by being over weight or doing detrimental things to your health.
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 20, 2016
Charley67 wrote:
The Bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and we really are.
It's always dangerous to drag the Bible in on anything, but from my church-going years (long time ago) I do remember something about your body being a temple and you're supposed to take care of it.
CarolynandBob
Explorer
Nov 20, 2016
2gypsies wrote:
Many places now have a new fast-growing sport called Pickleball. It's very, very popular with seniors and is excellent exercise. We play 4-6x/week and we're in our mid-70's and have knee replacements.

We just started playing and love it. When we start full timing in January we are hoping to find people to play with. We play mainly at the YMCA here in east San Diego County. Do you or anyone else know if a YMCA membership will work cross country?