Five weeks into my sixtieth year I’m saying yes to things that I may not have considered last year. It is making life interesting. No experience is wasted.

This weekend I put on an extra large high viz jacket to be a steward for a TUC March through London. At 8.30 I met up with colleagues to get our instructions and a packed lunch which didn’t last beyond 10.30. The March kicked off at 12.00 so a lot of standing around directing people to the beginning of the procession and explaining to bemused tourists what was going on.

A positive, if not very noisy, experience. And I stayed dry with only a few spots of rain as the tail end of the procession past me by

My next ‘march’ will be London Pride in July. Although this is less of a March. More of carnival. It is a colourful celebration. The last time I did it was in torrential rain so I’m hoping for a more positive weather forecast this year.

I have read one of the books on my 60 for 60 list (see About) but I am being distracted by other publications. I have just read Irongran which I found inspirational. Eddie Brocklesby is a 74 year old woman who started running at the age of 50.

She has spent the last twenty years taking part in marathons, triathlons and Ironman races across the globe and has represented GB in many European and World triathlon and duathlon championships. Eddie is the oldest British woman to have completed an Ironman triathlon. How amazing is that. I would love to get just one of those Ironman medals.

Another book which I have preordered is ‘Too Many Pills-How too much medicine is endagering our health and what we can do about it’. I read a preview of this on my way to the march. It is scary stuff. The author claims that General Practitioners (GPs) are paid for performance. No problem there. But GPs receive extra cash for treating patients with specific conditions, including high blood pressure and cholesterol. These conditions can be treated quicker with medication. So the cash comes in quicker. It is now not unusual for an individual to be on a range of medication which makes them at risk of drug interaction and a lifetime of ill health as a consequence of the side effects. The author cites a number of examples where a change of lifestyle would have been a far more effective, safer ‘treatment’ but no such discussion was had. It was straight to a prescription.

I had personal experience of this when I visited a GP a couple of years ago with a bowel issue. I had the usual range of blood tests. I was only interested in my cancer markers but I ended up on statins as my cholesterol was elevated. Due to my previous history I didn’t really question it but no advice was given in respect of the interaction with Warfarin. By the time I next visited the anticoagulant clinic I was at risk of a serious bleed. Was I just the means of putting more money into the GP’s wallet with my health being placed at risk as a consequence. If I, as a health professional can be a victim, what hope is there for others.

The reality of our lives is that we are seen primarily as consumers. By the government (who are responsible for the GP contract), the ginormous food and drink industry and even the fitness sector. As consumers the most money needs to be extracted from us even if it is not in our best interests.

Just a word about the fitness industry. I have just concluded a three month contract with a ‘low cost’ gym in the West End of London. It still cost me £150 for a three month contract. I wanted to do some yoga classes. I booked an induction session which is where you get shown around the facility. I turned up at the allotted time. And waited. But no one arrived. In the end I had to go looking for someone. I finally got shown round. This set the scene for my relationship with this gym. I only got into one yoga class as they were so popular so I didn’t renew my contract at the end of the 3 month period. And I heard nothing more. No evaluation of my experience. No persuasion to enter another contract. They weren’t interested in my fitness only my money.

Fortunately that is not the experience of the gym I go to but I fear such gyms are few and far between.

But enough of the doom and gloom. For most of us our health and fitness is in our gift. We can make the difference. I was delighted to bump into my next door neighbour in the week. He looked so good. He had lost over 4 stone by cutting down on bread, chocolate, reducing his portions (so important) and eating more fruit. He has also started running. He mentioned that he had spotted me doing the same last weekend. So no complicated diets. Just less calories in and more used.

So five weeks into my sixtieth year I am adding to and ticking off my 60 for 60 list. I’m learning and experiencing which I hope will put me in a good place to have a 70 for 70 list.