Looking Good in Later Life 35
August 2004

The biggest age giveaway


Helen Franks gets down to basics

What`s more ageing than lines and wrinkles? Looking stooped and stiff and uncertain in your stride. If your shoulders are rounded and slumped, or the way you move and walk show lack of flexibility, you can add ten years to your age. Or, to put it the opposite way, get a better posture, stand tall and move with grace and balance, and you immediately look younger and more energetic.
The word ‘immediate’ is relative. None of it happens overnight. You need to take regular exercise to reach the happy state, and may not see results for weeks or even months as you gradually gain muscle strength. But see them you do, if you stick with the exercise that suits you. Ideally, get to a class and take part in regular sessions at least twice a week.

Firstly, answer these questions to find out how stiff and inflexible you are:

• Can you bend forward and reach (well almost) your toes? Without bending those knees, though…
   

• Can you get up from a chair without the slightest groan or need to grab the sides? Now try the sofa and see how you rise.

• Can you sit on the floor with crossed legs? And have your back straight, not straining forward with those shoulders?

• Can you get down to the floor with knees bent? Much better for the back than keeping legs straight, and useful when you drop something on the floor.

• Can you stay balanced on one foot for ten seconds? Without the aid of a wall of course.
   

Which are the best exercises for flexibility and balance?

Swimming: Ideal for stiffies as the water provides a form of support, offering greater movement than on dry land. Swimming also expands lungs. Gyms that offer aquarobics in the pool provide an idea environment for loosening up.

Tai Chi: You get gentle poses, mainly standing, with possibly a bit of meditation thrown in. A good one to start with if you’ve never exercised before.

Pilates: Terrific for abdominal muscles, with lots of mat work (ie you’re on the floor). Get these going and your back no longer takes the strain. The aim is to strengthen ‘core muscles’, meaning those supporting the torso. You gain in flexibility too.

Yoga: More dynamic than pilates, with a series of standing poses and mat work. Lots of stretching which sort of irons you out after time. You do have to hold the poses for longer than with any of the above, but there are classes for 59 plus and ‘remedial’ for people with limited movement.

Alexander technique: Good for posture, balance and aching backs. The teaching aims to align neck, head and back, and is the most gentle of all those listed here. Usually, you get individual tuition from £25 an hour – costs more than class activities, but advocates say it’s worth every penny.

Which sports help?

If you prefer the idea of a sporting activity, try tennis, cycling, dancing, hiking. But remember these tend to be repetitive, using the same muscles in the same way again and again. Sessions of the destiffening exercises should take you through a series of different movements, so your body gets all-over regular reminders to stretch and tone. Nothing wrong with mixing and matching different activities and exercises if you have the time.

Where to find classes and tutors?

Local newspapers, the internet, telephone directory, local library, adult education colleges

 

Previous editions of Looking Good in laterlife 

Edition 1 (including a visit to Estee Lauder)

Edition 2 (including a visit to Clarins)

Edition 3 (including a visit to Medestea Internazionale

Edition 4 (including a visit to Martha Hill Skincare)

Edition 5 (including a visit to Harrods)

Edition 6 (including a visit to Belgravia Centre)

Edition 7 (including a visit to Vichy Laboratoire)

Edition 8 (including a visit to Avene Spa)

Edition 9 (including fashion tips)

Edition 10 eyebrows, eyelashes, sun and skin

Edition 11 (including a visit to Lasercare Clinics)

Edition 12 - Lasercare Clinics offer their expertise on common skin conditions

Edition 13 - Ageing skin in the new millennium

Edition 14 - A visit to Helen Sher

Edition 15 -  More from Helen Sher and Lasercare Clinics

Edition 16  A visit to Champneys London Clubs

Edition 17 - Seeking Cosmetic Surgery

Edition 18 -  Does hair dye cause cancer?

Edition 19 - How not to look like mutton dressed as lamb..    

Edition 20 - What cosmetic dentistry can do for you  - Part one

Edition 21 - What cosmetic dentistry can do for you  - Part two

Edition 22 - What’s new at Estee Lauder?

Edition 23 - Lancome -  a perennial favourite

Edition 24- The latest from Clarins

Edition 25 - East meets west with Shiseido  

Edition 26 -  Nutrimetics

Edition 27 -  Nutrimetics - Special offer

Edition 28  - Nutrimetics workshop

Edition 29  -  Exfoliation

Edition 30  - Mail order shopping

Edition 31  - Sunscreen lotions

Edition 32  - Electrolysis

Edition 33 - Thinning Hair

Edition 34 - Helen gets rejuvenated

laterlife.com occasionally visits one of the great cosmetic houses, up-and-coming beauty collections or other organisations of interest to the more mature visitor.

Edition 1 Estee Lauder

Edition 2 Clarins

Edition 3 Medestea Internazionale

Edition 4 Martha Hill Skincare

Edition 5 Harrods
Edition 6 The Belgravia Centre

Edition 7 Vichy Laboratoire

Edition 8 Avene Spa  

Edition 11 Lasercare Clinics

Edition 14 - Helen Sher

Edition 16  A visit to Champneys London Clubs    

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