“Get a move on.” That’s one message older people are hearing more and more — and paying attention, too! As we age, our joints might be creaky, but a lot of us try to keep moving, if slower, and with walking aids.

If you’re lacking inspiration to stay active, we’ve got 10 stories today from writers who share their experience with tailoring their exercise to the limitations that seem inevitable — but not impossible to overcome — as we age. Read Our Stories below.

Crow’s Feet Podcast

Check out our latest episode if you are interested in cultural stereotypes of older people. Host Betsy Allen talks with Cynthia Miller, an anthropologist, about how Hollywood horror movies depict aging characters. Listen here.

Send Us Your Holiday Traditions for the Podcast!

We are inviting the Crow’s Feet community to get involved in a holiday podcast that will be released in December. Share your thoughts about how you spend the holidays, or what is different about holidays now compared to your youth. Be creative! Make a brief recording on your phone and send it to us. Or send us the words and we’ll read it out loud. Read This Year, Crow’s Feet Invites You to be Part of our Holidays to get full instructions and more ideas about the project.

Our Stories

Jody Lynn McBrien tells us about walking the streets of Paris and swimming a mile four times a week in Moving through Life: The joys of physical activity.

Ruby Lee enjoys her daily swims and made a big investment to make sure that she could continue swimming this fall. Read It’s A Struggle To Stay Active As A Senior: Finding an exercise that you like is the key.

Dan Pfeifer found that he can keep moving while pursuing a lifelong passion. Read Gardening — One Way to Stay Active as a Senior.

Mary Lou Heater used to be an aerobics instructor and after a couple of injuries she keeps moving but at a different pace. Read From Being Teacher to Be Being Taught. My fitness journey.

Salsam grew up in an active family and has tried everything from Jane Fonda videos to her current passion: aerial silks. Read Go You, Chicken Fat, Go! Exercise, but make sure it is fun.

Paul Gardner loves the outdoors and he keeps climbing, just not as far up. Read A Sunday Hike on Pike’s Peak.

Ann Litts keeps very active with line dancing, yoga, and low-impact cardio classes, it’s a wonder she has the time to be an editor for Crow’s Feet! Read Movement: Move it or lose it.

Stephanie Moga found some life lessons when she hired a coach and returned to ice skating after 60. Read Finding Balance as a Skater. The joy of senior skating.

Brian Dickens Barrabee has been athletic since childhood and has developed a routine he can do at home. Read I Became That Man. All my life, the thing grounding me has been exercise.

Robin James, who wrote the writing prompt about staying active, realizes she will never do another backbend in yoga class like she did 30 years ago. Read Exercise is Getting Harder. I’m still doing it though.

I hope you find some motivation in these essays to keep moving!

Regards,

Nancy Peckenham, Editor

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