Good News For Seniors
Part of the prescription for a
healthier, better retirement is exercise. That simple? Yes, it is! Physical
exercise has been proven to discourage declines in health and fitness. Join the
growing number of seniors who are actively demonstrating that exercise helps
keep a body strong and on the go.
The Best Retirement is a Healthy One
Did you know that moderate physical activity can help you
live longer? That it can actually reduce health hazards? It’s true.
So is the fact that regular exercise helps control blood
pressure, body weight and cholesterol levels, and reduces the risks of
hardening of the arteries, heart attack and stroke.
A well-balanced fitness program holds other benefits for
you, too. It conditions muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones to help fight
osteoporosis, keep your body more limber and stabilize your joints, lowering
the risk of everyday injury. Regular physical activity can even help you
maintain your independence.
Physical exercise is probably the best all-natural laxative
you will find. It not only improves digestion, but exercise is also good for
managing lower back pain, arthritis and diabetes. And recently, there’s been
more indication that an active lifestyle helps lower the risk for certain types
of cancer.
But maybe the best reason for incorporating regular exercise
into your life is that you will feel better and enjoy life more. Exercise helps
you sleep better, manage stress better, and gives you more endurance to enjoy
work and play.
FITNESS is GOLDEN
A good senior fitness program is one that includes aerobics,
muscular conditioning, along with exercises to stretch your body and promote
good posture. Start with a light regime and work your way up slowly.
The best aerobics for seniors are non-jarring ones, like
walking, swimming, cycling and low-impact aerobic dance.
If you have not been doing muscular conditioning, begin with
the calisthenics you probably remember. As you get used to these exercises, add
some gentle resistance, such as light hand weights or low-tension rubber
exercise tubing. As your conditioning improves, you could incorporate variable resistance
exercise machinery, but be sure you do so under qualified supervision. Heavy-resistance
routines are not recommended for seniors. The key to safe and effective exercise
for seniors is moderation.
Do not ignore the other elements that contribute to good
senior health, including eating a well-balanced diet, not smoking and seeing
your doctor whenever you need to.
Discover the Exercise You Like Best
There are plenty of choices out there for you. Favorites
among seniors are aqua aerobics, yoga, Tai Chi, line dancing, square dancing,
ballroom dancing, even taking your dog for a walk. There are also many group
exercise classes you might enjoy that offer social benefits as well.
When you are deciding on the class or program that suits you
best, we recommend you select one with an instructor certified by an internationally
recognized professional organization, such as the American Council on Exercise.
Also, check to be sure the instructor has completed specialty training in
senior health and fitness.
Look at your retirement or senior years as an opportunity to
do things you never did before. Enjoy yourself!
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