Jill, loving to USE it is key!!!
I have a few small pieces one stairstepper, one "all around" use -- switch out the pieces and do different things like, row, push, pull, etc. Will NOT help if you do not use it --
-- sadly.
My farm affords me a good deal of walking as it's about 1/3 mile barn to back fields....carry feed in buckets, climb gates (yes, they open BUT, swinging that leg over keeps the hip joints supple, lifting 20-30# of feed helps arm/back muscle, etc.) loading hay, unloading feed, and all those things we do just keeps me in decent shape. BUT, I have recently felt that I might like to go to the YMCA gym for some "structured" work on their equipment for a better overall type of workout.
Fortunately I am a fairly "healthy nutrition" eater, not now or ever overweight but, starting to see the usual decline in certain musle mass -- 65 and fighting it........
Soooooo, my increased interest in STAYING healthy comes from my recently being thrown into a situation with my mother having to move into my home for her own needs. 1) I do NOT want to go her route (never have, hope never to) 2) Time away from the house 3) my 37 horses NEED me to stay fit!!
I can only encourage anyone reading this to consider keeping your body core muscles healthy and active .... not just legs & arms. Your mind will stay far more active if you use it and you continue to use your body muscle, while feeding yourself with good nutrition. Hey, I LOVE and moderately eat desserts but, good nutrition is first for myself AND my horses. We are all healthy because of it!!! Having only preventive doctor and vet bills pays for the effort. OH, yeah, I enjoy some wine now & then, a couple beers, and/or a good mixed drink sometimes.