06/09/2025
Let me introduce you to Ruth & Peter 👋
At 79 and 82 years old they recently completed the The Green Jersey Explorer Tour from Whanganui to Napier via Taihape and the Gentle Annie route.
They both regularly swim, cycle and tramp and attend a weekly Pilates session with us at Love & Core to maintain their strength and mobility. ‘Love and Core has a very important place in our lives as we get older!’ the pair say. They are just as, if not more, active now than before retirement.
When I’m older I’d like to be like them! (Not only because of their empathetic socialist values and active commitment to a more equitable society) but because they are physically active, partake in meaningful and creative pursuits and have high levels of self-efficacy.
In the context of physical pursuits, self-efficacy comes from our beliefs and thoughts in our own ability to engage with and gain benefit from any form of physical activity.
Self-efficacy is a crucial factor at any age to regularly and consistently adhere to exercise routines, thus improving physical and mental health outcomes.
It’s important at all life stages and no less so for older adults. High self-efficacy leads to greater participation and increased confidence.
Rejecting societal expectations around aging is also key. We are more likely to become frail if we deeply believe in and expect fragility as we age.
Staying active, and in fact increasing physical activity, for older adults can mitigate age related decline such as muscle loss and impaired balance.
At Love & Core we know this deeply. We will support and encourage you to explore your movement potential. We understand that trying new things and building your capacity for exercise and movement can be scary and daunting. But we also know that with the support we offer overcoming these types of fears is not only possible, but that self-esteem and confidence is boosted along the way.
