Practice single leg stance while brushing your teeth. Gets it in 2x a day, while you concentrate on 2 things at once. (Former PT, now retired, 70 y/o. I also do yoga weekly)
In my mid-40s, I'm doing Bulgarian split squats against the bathtub rim while flossing, then one-legged calf raises while brushing. Getting in balance exercises while doing my dental hygiene has been a game changer and I evangelize about it to others. I'm so glad to see a retired PT suggest it! :)
Counter top pushups, yoga chair pose, calf raises all can be done while waiting for the tea kettle to boil. I could create a whole program of no excuse exercises for people to do, when they’d say they didn’t have time
The Great British Baking show, where competitors help each other out in a pinch and diversity is celebrated, and Clarkson’s Farm!! Plenty of seasons of both, and the baking tent (or the farm) are so very comforting before bedtime. ❤️ Enjoy!
And once you get through all the episodes of the Great British Baking Show, I can recommend the Great Canadian Baking Show, with similar feel-good vibes, inclusivity, and mutual support. 🧁
I am so excited to watch it! Grew up in Ann Arbor, MI, just over the bridge, and I truly love Canada. I’m looking forward to a cup of tea, fuzzy pants, and the GCBS this cold evening. 🙏 thank you!
Your letters are always interesting, and I'm glad your parents are okay. The practical information makes this letter even more valuable. A year ago, after hip replacement therapy due to arthritis, I started using trekking sticks for longer walks. For me, they offered better balance than a cane, and allowed me to move at a more satisfying pace. I decided not to give them up after reading somewhere that walkers using sticks can cover more ground faster and with less strain on joints.
When I turned sixty, I actually had the thought: It’s now or never for me with yoga. So I began taking classes three days a week at the nearby rec center, and it has improved my life in so many ways. Stress relief of course, but I’m a better downhill skier now, I can crane my neck over both shoulders as needed while looking for road hazards when I drive, and my bouts of back pain are now few and far between. I also feel like it’s a down payment on better balance going forward. Thank you for that, grand tradition of yogis!
Yes, yoga is so helpful. Brian and I just did this 30 minute routine this morning (we’ve been doing this one for decades, know it by heart): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEI9H2QZLBA
Train yourself to go slow whilst moving from sitting > standing > walking. It only takes a few extra seconds. Doing all three moves at once, like a youngster in a hurry, is an easy way to lose balance.
Later, when sitting again, you can stream Detectorists.
I started strength training a few months ago at a gym for women and female identified people, and one of the things I'm working on is balance (I've always had poor balance.) Calf raises 20x a day help. Also lifting builds core strength. And I've given up (mostly) my high heels and am pretty much living in Blundstones and a collection of vintage cowboy boots. My gym's IG account recently gave me a shoutout as a "60+ yogini turned lifter." The 60+ still wigs me out.
I also loved “Fisk”! Another great one is “Sort Of” (Canadian sitcom by Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo) - it’s the perfect comfort watch - you’ll laugh…you’ll cry… you’ll laugh some more
My favorite comfort watch of the last year was Pernille on Netflix, a half-hour show from Norway. It's similar to Better Things is some ways (single mom, daughters, aging dad) and is full of heart and humor. The parts that are melancholy or sad are completely earned.
My husband's healthy and fit best friend died at 68 after a short fall from a ladder. He was replacing a ceiling light bulb, nothing major, but he hit his head as he fell. Being a guy and living alone, he shrugged it off, went to sleep that evening, and died in his sleep from a brain bleed. I think any fall where you hit your head should be evaluated by a doctor.
I'm so glad your folks are okay, Sari. It's such an upsetting thing when aging parents fall, which I went through with both of mine. Your mom looks in very good spirits! Such a sweet pic.
We run almost 1,000 EMS calls per year on our volunteer ambulance in Rhinebeck, and I'd guess maybe 25-30% of those are fall-related. I'm so happy you're posting these links to videos.
We've been thinking in our house about what we can do to keep better balance/mobility as we age. We're now both brushing our teeth with one leg up in a tree pose (it's an easy one to remember—Emma heard it on a podcast), and we switch sides from morning to evening. It kinda feels like something out of a Portlandia sketch, but maybe it'll help!
I noted a couple years ago the sit-to-rise test (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm7roKZX7Lc), which I failed (due to poor flexibility!) It's apparently a decent indicator of aging and mobility, so one of my goals for 2026 is to see if I can progressively get a little closer to sitting/standing without using my hands.
Oh, and Catastrophe is so brilliant—though a bit dark, in the funniest possible way. We loved that show so much.
Thank you, Rob. I read in either your newsletter or Emma’s about your losing both parents—so sorry to hear. This is very useful info. All of it. Thank you for sharing. Gonna try that tooth-brushing exercise…
Oops—I meant to say I assumed I was to OLD for Heated Rivalry, not too YOUNG. I've fixed it.
No one is too old for hockey romance! My show that I’ve been working on for more than a year now is coming out later this year.
I am so excited there’s a Gina Forttore-written show coming! Please be sure to alert me when it’s out!!! <3
Just realized I need to rewatch Fleabag!!!
The Good Place, Shrinking.
Practice single leg stance while brushing your teeth. Gets it in 2x a day, while you concentrate on 2 things at once. (Former PT, now retired, 70 y/o. I also do yoga weekly)
In my mid-40s, I'm doing Bulgarian split squats against the bathtub rim while flossing, then one-legged calf raises while brushing. Getting in balance exercises while doing my dental hygiene has been a game changer and I evangelize about it to others. I'm so glad to see a retired PT suggest it! :)
Counter top pushups, yoga chair pose, calf raises all can be done while waiting for the tea kettle to boil. I could create a whole program of no excuse exercises for people to do, when they’d say they didn’t have time
Ted Lasso of course.
Oh, right! And is there a new season coming?
Yes. But no date yet.
I forgot that one! of course! We've watched it twice through and save episodes for especially challenging evenings.
The Great British Baking show, where competitors help each other out in a pinch and diversity is celebrated, and Clarkson’s Farm!! Plenty of seasons of both, and the baking tent (or the farm) are so very comforting before bedtime. ❤️ Enjoy!
And once you get through all the episodes of the Great British Baking Show, I can recommend the Great Canadian Baking Show, with similar feel-good vibes, inclusivity, and mutual support. 🧁
I am so excited to watch it! Grew up in Ann Arbor, MI, just over the bridge, and I truly love Canada. I’m looking forward to a cup of tea, fuzzy pants, and the GCBS this cold evening. 🙏 thank you!
Your letters are always interesting, and I'm glad your parents are okay. The practical information makes this letter even more valuable. A year ago, after hip replacement therapy due to arthritis, I started using trekking sticks for longer walks. For me, they offered better balance than a cane, and allowed me to move at a more satisfying pace. I decided not to give them up after reading somewhere that walkers using sticks can cover more ground faster and with less strain on joints.
So glad you enjoy these! And that cool about the trekking sticks.
I also find that they add a little more of a cardiovascular workout which I appreciate.
When I turned sixty, I actually had the thought: It’s now or never for me with yoga. So I began taking classes three days a week at the nearby rec center, and it has improved my life in so many ways. Stress relief of course, but I’m a better downhill skier now, I can crane my neck over both shoulders as needed while looking for road hazards when I drive, and my bouts of back pain are now few and far between. I also feel like it’s a down payment on better balance going forward. Thank you for that, grand tradition of yogis!
Yes, yoga is so helpful. Brian and I just did this 30 minute routine this morning (we’ve been doing this one for decades, know it by heart): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEI9H2QZLBA
Train yourself to go slow whilst moving from sitting > standing > walking. It only takes a few extra seconds. Doing all three moves at once, like a youngster in a hurry, is an easy way to lose balance.
Later, when sitting again, you can stream Detectorists.
I started strength training a few months ago at a gym for women and female identified people, and one of the things I'm working on is balance (I've always had poor balance.) Calf raises 20x a day help. Also lifting builds core strength. And I've given up (mostly) my high heels and am pretty much living in Blundstones and a collection of vintage cowboy boots. My gym's IG account recently gave me a shoutout as a "60+ yogini turned lifter." The 60+ still wigs me out.
Me, too.
Last Tango in Halifax on Netflix! Fantastic writing and acting, starring Derek Jacobi, Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker.
My feel-good go-to show is Somebody Somewhere, even though it makes me cry.
Love, love, love that show.
I loved that show.
I also loved “Fisk”! Another great one is “Sort Of” (Canadian sitcom by Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo) - it’s the perfect comfort watch - you’ll laugh…you’ll cry… you’ll laugh some more
Fisk is the BEST! We've watched it a couple of times and still feel sad when it's over.
I have to give that another try.
Both these shows are amazing!!💘
My favorite comfort watch of the last year was Pernille on Netflix, a half-hour show from Norway. It's similar to Better Things is some ways (single mom, daughters, aging dad) and is full of heart and humor. The parts that are melancholy or sad are completely earned.
Oh, someone recently recommended Pernille! I’ll check it out. Thanks!
Somebody Somewhere. Outlander. Call the Midwife. Sex Education.
Also LOVED A Place to Call Home, and was also surprised by that
Oh, I need to re-binge Somebody Somewhere. Love that show.
One of the loveliest friendships on tv EVER, right?
Truly.
My husband's healthy and fit best friend died at 68 after a short fall from a ladder. He was replacing a ceiling light bulb, nothing major, but he hit his head as he fell. Being a guy and living alone, he shrugged it off, went to sleep that evening, and died in his sleep from a brain bleed. I think any fall where you hit your head should be evaluated by a doctor.
Oh, no. So sorry to hear.
I'm so glad your folks are okay, Sari. It's such an upsetting thing when aging parents fall, which I went through with both of mine. Your mom looks in very good spirits! Such a sweet pic.
We run almost 1,000 EMS calls per year on our volunteer ambulance in Rhinebeck, and I'd guess maybe 25-30% of those are fall-related. I'm so happy you're posting these links to videos.
We've been thinking in our house about what we can do to keep better balance/mobility as we age. We're now both brushing our teeth with one leg up in a tree pose (it's an easy one to remember—Emma heard it on a podcast), and we switch sides from morning to evening. It kinda feels like something out of a Portlandia sketch, but maybe it'll help!
I noted a couple years ago the sit-to-rise test (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm7roKZX7Lc), which I failed (due to poor flexibility!) It's apparently a decent indicator of aging and mobility, so one of my goals for 2026 is to see if I can progressively get a little closer to sitting/standing without using my hands.
Oh, and Catastrophe is so brilliant—though a bit dark, in the funniest possible way. We loved that show so much.
Thank you, Rob. I read in either your newsletter or Emma’s about your losing both parents—so sorry to hear. This is very useful info. All of it. Thank you for sharing. Gonna try that tooth-brushing exercise…