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Tips for Healthy Living
Exercise Benefits Seniors
By Haley Fletcher, MS
As people age their lifestyles often change, and they frequently reduce the amount of physical activity in their daily lives. Individuals who exercise regularly enjoy increased life satisfaction because they are stronger, feel better, and have the energy to pursue hobbies and activities they enjoy.
Many ailments blamed on "old age" can be prevented or improved through exercise. Regular exercise can help with the management of many chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, and arthritis. In some cases, exercise may even improve these conditions and reduce the need for medication.
The Surgeon General recommends 30 minutes of activity most days of the week. These are some tips on how to get started and get moving.
• Walking is an excellent exercise. If you are inactive start with five or 10 minutes.
• The 30 minutes of exercise time can be accumulated throughout the day. Build up gradually until you can take a 10 minute walk in the morning, 10 minute walk in the afternoon and 10 minute walk in the evening.
• Making small changes in your daily routine, such as parking the car farther away when going grocery shopping, will help you build more activity into your day.
• Walk or exercise with a friend, it will be more fun and will help to keep you motivated.
• Look for community programs specifically designed for seniors that allow you to work at your own pace, and considers your health problems.
• A quality program should also advise you to seek your doctor's approval and should be designed and supervised by specially trained instructors such as Exercise Physiologists.
• Remember to drink enough fluids and to wear comfortable clothes and shoes when exercising
• Talk to your doctor before you begin any exercise program.
Haley Fletcher is the Exercise Physiologist at the Fitness Center at Passavant Retirement Community. |
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