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A curved spine and a cyborg knee haven’t slowed me down. Fitness, I’ve learnt, covers far more than the gym: body, mind, friends and an early bedtime.
At 60-something, I have a confession. I’m rather fond of my body.
It’s far from perfect. Scoliosis has shaved a few centimeters off me. I used to stand at 159 cm. Now I'm 155 cm and a fit 49 to 50 kg, and I still stand tall: moving, working, stretching, strengthening and sweating my way through life.
And I have no intention of stopping.
Fitness is my way of life, built on sustainable habits. It’s no three-month challenge, no New Year’s resolution, no ticket to a size 10 dress.
Two mantras have guided me for years: “Health is wealth” and “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” The older I get, the truer they ring.
Extra years are lovely. Being able to live them is even better.
So, I move.
Mixing it up
I work out for about an hour, at least three times a week. I've been at it since I was 31, bar a year or two, first at fitness studios and, for the past four years, in the comfort of home.
The secret to staying power? Variety. I never repeat one thing until boredom wins. My week blends tai chi walking, HIIT and LIIT cardio, strength training, Pilates and stretching. Together, they work my heart, muscles, flexibility, balance, endurance and mobility.
Then came the knee. I had to rethink some of it.
One small win at a time
Total knee surgery in March this year could've been my excuse to slow down for good. Instead, it gave me a reason to work my way back. Carefully. Patiently. Consistently.
My body didn’t bounce back overnight. I never expected it to. Even now, it’s still catching up.
But every small improvement counted. A little more strength. A little more mobility. A little more confidence.
Movement became part of my recovery. Recovery became part of my fitness journey.
Fit from head to toe
My definition of fitness stretches further than a strong body. It also means being proactive.
I see my doctor for a check-up every year and have annual blood tests at Pathlab. I attend health talks on just about every part of the human body, from orthopedics and sports injuries to the heart and cognitive health.
Why? I’d rather understand my body before it starts shouting for attention.
The brain needs a workout, too. As a freelance writer and educator, I’m fortunate. My work keeps me thinking, researching, writing, teaching and communicating. Off the clock, I read, sing and cook.
Then there’s a workout that needs no sports shoes at all.
Socializing.
I make time for outings with friends and family because face-to-face company matters. A good conversation, a shared meal, a laugh over coffee. They nourish emotional and cognitive well-being in ways no treadmill can.
I don’t want to be merely physically fit. I want to be fit for life. That means looking after my body, exercising my mind, nurturing relationships and giving myself reasons to get up every morning with enthusiasm.
Fuel, then rest
I eat well and practice intermittent fasting regularly. I try not to make food an enemy or an obsession. I simply choose what serves me well.
And then there’s sleep. Most nights, I’m in bed by 10 p.m.
Yes, I know how to party. My party is called “Goodnight.”
Rest is part of fitness, too.
Small choices, big payoff
Staying healthy takes no gargantuan effort. It takes sustainable habits: hundreds of small decisions, made again and again. Movement over inertia. Nutritious food over mindless eating. Sleep over unnecessary late nights. A walk with a friend over another hour staring at a screen.
You don’t need a gym, fancy kit or my routine. Start where you are. Ten minutes of walking counts. So does a stretch while the kettle boils.
Curiosity has no expiry date, either. Some two years ago, I signed up for a paid course on digital marketing and AI. I’m still at it.
I still want to write. I still want to sing. I still want to cook. I still want to laugh with friends, spend time with family and look forward to what tomorrow has in store.
That’s why I exercise. I’m not trying to turn back the clock. I want to keep turning the pages.
My body has its flaws. My scoliosis isn’t going anywhere. My replaced knee is a permanent reminder that things wear out.
But that doesn’t mean I have to wear out.
I’m in my 60s. I’ve had major surgery. I have aches, limitations and the occasional “Oh, by golly, what was that?” moment.
But I’m still moving.
Still learning.
Still working.
Still laughing.
Still living.
Because health is wealth. Because if you don’t use it, you lose it.
And because fitness, to me, is about staying me.
So, #JomFit? Let’s move, tuan tuan dan puan puan!
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Dorothy Lung (dottielung@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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