Senior Fitness: Why It’s Never Too Late To Start
Are you over the age of 50, and thinking about starting a workout routine?
Maybe you are apprehensive, thinking that today’s workout “fads” are for youngsters, or that you’re not ready physically to workout? Which begs the question – how do you expect to live a long fulfilling life if your heart, bones, and muscles are functioning in an un-serviced 50% efficiency mode?
There’s always hope; and it’s NEVER too late to start working out and get fit- even beyond your younger days.
Not convinced? Keep reading to learn why it’s never too late to start!
You’re More Likely To Die Of A Fall Than Exercise
Yes, you read that right; exercise won’t kill you as long as you’re smart about it. In fact, a fall occurring because of poor flexibility, and weak bones and muscles is much more likely to kill you, or leave you with a serious injury. The best way to prevent this? Regular exercise.
Fitness Is the Enemy Of Disease
Healthy and fit seniors worry less about chronic disease. Diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure can be prevented or better controlled with a pre-emptive exercise plan. Seniors with the best cardiovascular health profiles regularly exercise, and have good eating habits.
Mood Therapy
Have you been told that you’re a “grumpy old man/lady?” it’s likely because you don’t have a healthy outlet for stress relief. Exercise takes so many forms and there’s no one mold fits all template.
Don’t like lifting weights? That’s fine, do yoga.
Don’t want to run? No problem you can walk.
Hate walking? Then swimming is a solid form of cardio exercise, which is good for hearth health.
Whatever you enjoy, will soon become the best for you, physically, mentally and emotionally.
You will also sleep better, and have less aches and pains, definitely more reasons to smile and enjoy life!
The Golden Years Can Be The Best
You’ve worked hard in your younger days- had to pay off a mortgage, put the kids through college and ensure everyone was well clothed and fed. Maybe time was limited; or maybe money was an issue. Whatever it was, it’s time for you. Your many responsibilities have probably been lifted, so now there’s a lot of time spent with your spouse doing nothing.
So, why not go hiking, join a gym, take long walks, go dancing, or take a Pilates class to get some fun workouts and boost quality time spent with your spouse or a workout partner.
Fitness doesn’t have to be hard; above all, it needs to be enjoyable and not forced.
Age Better
Maybe you have a friend who appears to have aged 10 years in just 2 years, it happens all too often, primarily because of not caring for your body when you were young, or not actively trying to get fit.
Before morbidity comes knocking on your front door (being resigned to the bed) make changes now.
If you’re a woman, menopause doesn’t have to be as miserable as it is for many because exercise can alleviate hot flashes, mood swings and the associated myriad of pain. Your body will thank you, and you will feel better and consequently look better.
You Don’t Have To Go Hard
No one has ever said that exercise has to be gut wrenching to be effective, simply pace yourself and keep progressing.
If you’re planning a walk today for the first time in decades, start small- walk around your block. Do it every day if possible, and after a week walk around twice. Following this method of progression adds up over time, and leads to higher levels of fitness.
Conclusion
Have you ran out of excuses yet?
Good!
Because every minute you spend at home worrying about “starting,” there’s another person who just got serious in making positive changes, and in one short year will be miles ahead of you.
The time is now; enjoy your new found fitness!