Today is National Senior Health and Fitness Day, and numerous organizations around the country are taking part in the event. As you might expect, the goal of the event and the numerous entities involved is to help seniors remain healthy even at an older age.
Many people, once they reach a certain age, may let exercise slip by the wayside. They feel that they don’t have the energy to embark on a dedicated fitness regimen or they’re worried about injuring themselves, especially at a time when recovery isn’t as easy as it once was.
It’s important to note that even a little bit of exercise can go a long way. You don’t have to be lifting hundreds of pounds of weights or running for miles upon miles on end, but you might be able to sneak exercise into your life in other ways.
One note before you do so: you should always speak with a doctor prior to any type of exercise. He or she will be able to detail the types of stretches, techniques, and activities that will be the most beneficial to your health. By coming to them with your questions and concerns, you should be able to alight upon an exercise regimen that will protect and improve your health rather than hinder it.
Once you’ve done that, then the actual exercise can begin, and for a lot of people, this might be as simple as getting up and walking around for a good chunk of the day. Upon retirement, inactivity becomes a tempting prospect, but this can be detrimental to your health. Walk around your home or even around the block, increasing your pace and distance as you get more comfortable.
Other low-impact activities might be your preferred exercise method. While you may not be keen on repeatedly pounding the pavement as would happen during jogging, perhaps hopping into the pool for an invigorating swim is for you. This activity is low-impact yet still has the benefit of getting your pulse rate going and involving numerous sets of muscles. Even a little bit of activity in this regard can aid your longterm health.
Stretching and yoga are also going to be worth your time, both in conjunction with other types of exercise and on their own. Such activities allow you to loosen up and improve your range of motion, which may otherwise diminish if the various parts of your body don’t get the chance to move a lot.
Look into what types of classes are offered in your area for all of the aforementioned activities. Many fitness clubs will offer training geared toward seniors, allowing you to join up with other like-minded individuals to improve your health. This tends to produce better results.
Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you have to ease up. Enjoy National Senior Health and Fitness Day and take the lessons learned to heart.
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