|
|
Exercise, say many medical researchers, is a veritable fountain of youth.
Seniors who engage in moderate to strenuous exercise on a regular basis are
doing their bodies a favor in more ways than one.
Recent studies released by the American
Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, the National
Institutes of Health and the Arthritis Foundation all support regular,
moderate exercise to help prevent or treat heart conditions, high blood
pressure, diabetes and arthritis.
Long gone are the days when ‘aging gracefully’
meant taking to a rocking chair on the front porch. Today’s seniors are more
active than ever. They’re out jogging, walking, swimming, biking and hiking
– and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. And, say doctors, by
remaining active, they’re increasing their chances of staying healthy
and young.
In fact, say most doctors, by including a half
hour of exercise in your routine three times a week you can reduce your risk
of nearly every physical condition that’s associated with aging.
“I love to travel and I exercise daily to stay fit so that I can enjoy my
traveling more,” says Maddi McDonough, 66, of Pembroke, Massachusetts. “When
we went to Switzerland, I was able to hike right up to the peak of Mt.
Pilatus while others sat at the lodge and waited.
In Alaska, I went mushing on a dog sled, and
white water rafting in Colorado. I didn’t bungee jump in Australia, but it
sure was tempting.”
For Maddi, exercising is walking – 10,000 steps a day, every day. Since she
started walking, her cholesterol levels have dropped, her blood pressure is
down and the sciatica that had confined her to bed for months at a time
hasn’t reared its head in almost two years.
She’s one of millions who have snapped
pedometers onto their belts to join the 10,000 steps club. Walking is only
one way of staying physically active, though. It doesn’t matter how you
exercise, says the American Heart Association. The key is to get moving
– and keep moving for about half an hour at least three times a week.
The Arthritis Foundation’s position on exercise reflects the changing
attitudes of the times and the new information that research has brought to
light. For decades, doctors advised patients with rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis
to ‘take it easy’. Not any more.
Nowadays, the advice is ‘move it or lose it’.
Just like muscles which atrophy if not used often, joints stiffen and become
inflexible without regular use. Exercise helps keep the joints flexible,
builds strong muscles around the joints and reduces joint pain.
That’s not all, though, say the experts at the
Arthritis Foundation. Regular exercise increases energy, promotes better
sleep, controls weight, decreases depression and increases self-esteem.
And it’s fun. Just ask Marilyn Boynton, a 68 year old self-described ‘old
broad’; Marilyn took up tap-dancing at the young age of 59. At one point,
says the tap-dancing senior, her back hurt ‘really really bad’. Instead of
retiring to her rocking chair, she joined a health club, and within a couple
of months, the pain in her back had already begun to lessen.
For those who’ve been sedentary for some time, jumping right into a
strenuous exercise program could cause injuries or strain. Instead, the
American Heart Association offers the following advice for exercise success.
1. If you haven’t been active for a while, are overweight or have a chronic
health condition, see your doctor before beginning any exercise program.
2. Choose a variety of activities that you enjoy so that you don’t become
bored with just one type of exercise.
3. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that fit well.
4. Make exercise a habit, but be flexible. If you miss a regular activity,
make it up by fitting physical activity into your day another way.
5. Don’t overdo it at first. Start slow and gradually work up your endurance
and ability.
6. Exercise with company. Finding a friend to work out with you can make
exercise more enjoyable and help you stay on track.
7. Remember to take the time to warm up before exercise and cool down after
your workout.
“Exercising is good for you,” says Maddi McDonough. “It keeps you young and
healthy. It gives you a good perspective on life and makes everything more
fun.”
Click
here to learn how to spend more time with your loved ones.
|
