Staying active often becomes less about pushing harder and more about knowing when to slow down. As the years pass, many people discover that avoiding injuries is just as important as keeping fit.
That is a balance former U.S. President Barack Obama recently discussed in an interview with PEOPLE alongside former First Lady Michelle Obama.
The conversation, which followed the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, offered a rare glimpse into how the couple approach health and exercise today, reports UNILAD.
Taking fewer risks
At 64, Obama says he still feels physically fit, but admits his priorities have changed. Basketball remains one of his favourite sports, although he is now far more cautious about movements that place extra strain on his knees and Achilles tendons.
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Rather than playing competitive games, he prefers less demanding activities on the court, allowing him to stay active while reducing the risk of injury.
A different approach
Michelle Obama also explained that exercise continues to play an important role in their daily lives. She has become increasingly interested in tennis, while Barack acknowledged that staying flexible has become more important as he gets older.
The couple also shared a light-hearted conversation about aging, with Barack joking that Michelle appears to have aged better than he has, while she suggested his natural grey hair makes him look older.
Looking ahead
The interview came shortly after the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, a new community hub on Chicago's South Side featuring a museum, sports facilities and public gathering spaces.
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For the former president, maintaining an active lifestyle is still a priority, but protecting his long-term health now takes precedence over playing sports as intensely as he once did.
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