Older Women's Outlook

Procrastination was expressed by seven out of 10 women age 56 or older. "I should do this; it would be good for me," one woman said.
"But older women were mainly thinking about it and were not setting definite plans to participate," says the study.
Declining health, crime, big dogs, and age were some of the obstacles cited by the older women. Some also said they were afraid to overdo it.
A 79-year-old woman who skied and played tennis in her youth blamed her inactivity on "laziness of age." Another 79-year-old woman said she tried to walk her dog for 20 minutes per day and do posture exercises but only did so "spasmodically."
Now, she's due to change her ways. "I'm supposed to be starting these special classes for heart attack victims soon," she told the researchers.
One older woman was highly active. "I am happy with the way I am," the 77-year-old said. Another woman -- who used to swim and play tennis -- said her health was good but her friends are "too slow" to keep up with her.
"Anyone with brains knows you need to get up and move when you are old, especially now that you hear so much about it," said the 77-year-old.
"You need to be active," she continued. "Maybe in the time of my mother they didn't care about their figures or knew that being heavy is bad for you. They never went and walked around the block or anything. They just sat around."