Does this mean The End? I suspect so, which is terribly sad (and what a battler!). Thanks for a wonderful career as a player, Andy, and here's to your next great career (broadcaster? Why not; you seem to have learned communication over the years). I cannot stress enough the joy I felt seeing a British player become Best in the World - but, even more, winning Wimbledon.

When Andy talks about pain when doing up his shoes, we ancients know exactly what he means. Some years ago such things became difficult for me. Not painful (it's mainly being breathless; squashing the lungs and straining the heart). I credit lack of pain etc to my swimming; it is TERRIBLY good for one; exploding the lungs, boosting flow of blood into heart; great for gentle massage of joints (I only do breast stroke being convinced that crawl, backstroke etc are bad for the shoulders); gives big appetites. My marvellous Major Nell (who knows EVERYTHING about back and joints - having served for years with the Army in Afghanistan) says "avoid hip replacements if possible".

Swimming is, indeed, excellent exercise when you have the time to visit a pool - and put in the lengths.

But what fits better into an everyday working life is the highly recommended 10,000 steps a day regime.

This can be part of normal day - and include walking to/from the station, a lunchtime stroll and/or a walk in the park.

About 2,000/3,500 calories are burned with this exercise, every week - which has a beneficial affect on almost every part of your body.

In this era of screen watching - often an integral past of work AND leisure - exercise is key; ideally outdoors in the fresh air.

Sports participation adds a social and competitive aspect to exercise - eliminating potential boredom.

The reason I far prefer swimming is the lack of pressure on any part of the body; walking, running etc puts stress on heels, joints, limbs; swimming (in water) puts no stress on anything.

I tried acqua-aerobics classes after sustaining a leg injury. Pain that had been with me for several months went away within a fortnight.

Glad to hear that md - I must tell you I'm almost evangelistical about the benefits of swimming; I reckon it's put 20 years on my life expectancy.

JK2006 wrote:
Glad to hear that md - I must tell you I'm almost evangelistical about the benefits of swimming; I reckon it's put 20 years on my life expectancy.


Hopefully, you will be proved right.

But - far too often - exercise, sport, physical activities are forgotten when people leave their educational environments.

The internet, and its many modes of entertainment occupies so many almost constantly.

And jobs in banks, insurance, estate agents etc. - are largely done at a desk, in front of a screen.

Organs (human) need to be exercised to function adequately and effectively.


But - a walk around any High Street clearly evidences the lack of activity by so many.

Obesity is rampant...