Len wants us all to keep moving
LEN GOODMAN is still jiving with the best of them. Despite two serious operations and arthritis, the former Strictly Come Dancing head judge says he is as ‘...fit as a biscuit and ready to rumble’.
Such is the 74-year-old’s appetite for life that he recently helped launch #LetsGetMoving — a campaign to encourage people who suffer from osteoarthritis joint pain and stiffness to stay active.
The fleet-footed former BBC stalwart (right) sat down with the makers of a drug-free gel, formulated for people with osteoarthritis, to discuss how he deals with achy joints. The secret is motivation. He says: ‘As much as I sometimes think, “oh, I won’t go to the gym this morning”, I drag myself there nonetheless. Even if it’s just to do a little wander on the treadmill or cross-trainer, or just a cheeky swim.
‘I don’t need to motivate myself to play golf. I absolutely love it and it’s great exercise, too. Anything that gets you motivated to move is terrific. You’ve got to stay active.’
He says: ‘When I had my knee surgery, my surgeon said: “Listen, the operation is only 20 per cent of it, the other 80 per cent is you exercising and moving and getting yourself mobile.”
‘I took that to heart and exercised every day.
‘You’re like a shark when you get older. You have to keep moving! If you’re achy, take it easy. If you’re feeling good, embrace it.
‘But give yourself a gentle nudge to get going. It will do you and your joints the world of good! Once you get yourself moving, it makes you feel great, mentally and physically.’
To help inspire people who are suffering from osteoarthritis, Len wants to encourage the British public to share their mobility stories on Twitter or Facebook, using the hashtag #LetsGetMoving.
The most inspiring will win a year’s supply of the gel (T&Cs apply).