Neil Farmer - Active Dorset CIC Chair

When I was in my mid 30's I saw by body as a high performance car. I could run marathons, thrash a ball around a squash court for an hour and treat the rough and tumble of 5 aside football like a walk in the park.

Now I am in my mid 60's I see my body more as a classic car that is in danger of becoming an old banger, if I let it. Therefore like a classic old car I need to look after myself more carefully. My engine (heart) needs more general exercise every day to keep it turning over. My moving part (knees and joints) need to be kept flexible and not allowed to become stiff. Like a classic car I perform better if I am not overloaded so I need to keep my weight down and as with a car I perform better if I have the right levels of fluids in me and keep them topped up.

Importantly I need like a classic car more regular servicing so when my body shows signs of rusting (skin cancer) or fluid come out of the exhaust (blood in my urine) there is no time to be all macho and 'man it up'. It is time to pay a visit to my local GP and get things fixed or manged better.

Exercising in later years of one's life does not need to be seen as arduous. Regular and moderate exercise along with healthy eating can easily be worked into our normal daily routines. Here are two examples of how I do just that.

Firstly every morning I walk my 20 month old Flat Coat Retriever up the hills of west Dorset, down its dales, along its streams and through its woodland glades. I don't set a time, as I don't know who I might meet to stop and chat with. What I do try to do is ensure I am breathing above my normal levels when going uphill and feel a warm glow and slight sweating when heading back home. For me if I haven't enjoyed myself then I have over done it.

Secondly I have the joy of having one grandson and three granddaughters. Being with them is an endless time of regular and moderate exercise. With one set whether that be playing 'walking football' or 'keepie uppie' with my grandson or bouncing on the garden trampoline with his sister or playing 'piggy in the middle', 'hide and seek,' or 'it' with them around the green there is never a dull moment.

When I am with my other two granddaughters I am kept on my toes by pushing the youngest around in her push chair when taking their dog for a walk. The three of us will walk to the play park where I am required to push them on the swings, lift up the youngest on to the climbing frame, to ensure she is not left behind and can copy her big sister. I then have to keep alter in order to catch them when they decide to do feats of 'daring do' like trying to fly.

But maybe the most rewarding things about being with my grandchildren is the mental stimulation they give me. Young children see life through a different set of lenses to us older folks. We can learn much from our grandchildren if we just sit back, relax and listen, if time allows that is.

Physical activity comes in many shapes and sizes, it does not have to be difficult, dull, boring or painful. It can easily fit into our everyday lives and can be so very rewarding - #grandparentsweareundefeatable.

Neil Farmer, Active Dorset Chair