The Healthiest Choice for Older Adults

Lack of exercise and poor diet are the second-largest underlying cause of death in the United States, smoking is the #1 cause, published from the National Institute of Health. Exercise is the healthiest choice you can make for your well being. Regular exercise and physical activity are critical to the health and independence of older people. Not exercising is a risky alternative.

Research indicates that most older adults can safely and successfully perform properly designed strength training exercise. Sensible strength training can actually improve many of theses debilitating conditions: obesity, osteoporosis, low back pain, arthritis, depression and general frailty and be beneficial for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. I recommend seeking the advice of an exercise professional that specializes in working with older adults to learn how to exercise properly.

There are four types of exercise older adults can do to realize health benefits:

1. Endurance exercises to improve heart, lungs and circulatory system. Endurance improves your stamina for the tasks you perform for daily activity living like climbing stairs and grocery shopping.

2. Strength exercises to build muscles and increase strength. Even very small increases can make a big difference in frail people. By doing strength exercises you increase your metabolism, which helps keep your weight and blood sugar in check. Studies show strength exercise also may help prevent osteoporosis.

3. Balance exercises to help prevent falls, which are a major cause of broken hips and other injuries that can lead to disability and loss of independence.

4. Flexibility exercises to help keep your body limber by stretching your muscles and the soft tissues that hold your body's structure in place.

More than two-thirds of older adults don't engage in regular physical activity. Now that you know the benefits of exercise, I hope you can get excited and motivated to get started. Think of an important reason why you want to be healthy, and live longer with quality of life. Use this reason as your motivator. If you don't have a goal or reason to get you excited about exercise, it will be difficult for you to be consistent and realize the benefits.

It is important to build your strength and intensity gradually on all types of exercise. Don't try to get in shape overnight. If you do too much too quickly, you can injure your muscles and soft tissues. Your goal is to improve from wherever you are right now. Exercise is so worth the benefits! For more information and tips on exercise, go to http://www.easyexercisetips.com


 
 

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