Exercise, Still On For Young And Old
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday May 1, 2001
LAST week the clock was turned back some 30 years when a copy of Dolly magazine came my way.
The publication's appearance was quite timely as I had enjoyed the pleasure of guest speaking engagements over recent weeks and the issue of the generation gap was invariably raised.
The more mature folk in the audience expressed concern about the lack of identity among today's youth. Yet the youth believe they are victimised and misunderstood by older people.
What's new? Society has been built on this argument since Adam and Eve.
But to my delight the content of Dolly hadn't changed in all those years. Perhaps the sex issues were a little more hard-hitting and open but the concerns were the same.
`Should I dump my boyfriend because he says I'm fat?' Or: `My parents don't understand why I want the music so loud.' Bring back memories?
Especially pleasing to read was that the focus on sensible eating and exercise is still paramount.
Young girls don't want to see skinny models just as mature women believe that clothes for their age group should be modelled by women of their vintage.
Granted that the pace of life today has stepped up somewhat. But that is often brought about by the expectations you place upon yourself as you try to fit into an acceptable category.
With the pace comes the neglect of healthy eating as you devour some fast food at the expense of good nutrition. Dolly offered suggestions to combat poor nutrition in the interest of a healthy lifestyle.
With sound nutrition comes the promise of a smooth complexion. This is appealing to young girls especially as they now have the use of sophisticated sunscreens to prevent that weather-beaten look of yesteryear which was almost a trophy for having a great tan!
The magazine offered suggestions of homemade skin treatments which would sit well with the cucumber elixir or mud pack of the '60s.
On the exercise front the magazine highlights that walking as a workout has survived the test of time and still appeals to young and old alike.
There is more choice available now with regard to sport and the use of gyms but that old fashioned ingredient, MOTIVATION, is the common denominator whatever the age.
Also pertinent regardless of the era is the purpose for exercise. Some choose a workout as a means of maintaining their figure, others realise the health benefits while some use movement as a social outlook.
Whatever your reason, all three areas are enhanced often adding up to a new you.
A real issue for some is the approach to helping others.
Older women are extremely active in their support for charities which often leads them to join a club with women of similar values.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience as many of the views aired dispelled a few myths that exist in society. The future is in safe hands.
Fitness tip: Enjoying exercise with someone from another era will allow you to talk about issues close to your heart in a non threatening environment. Both of you will benefit from the experience, physically, socially and emotionally.
© 2001 Newcastle Herald