OLDER ADULTS EXERCISE
Making exercise / physical activity a regular part of your daily routine will have a positive impact on your health and your quality of life as you get older.
Staying physically active and exercising regularly can improve mood and relieve depression, and prevent or delay some types of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Long-term, regular exercise\physical activity can even improve health for some older people who already have diseases and disabilities.
Older adults, regardless of age or condition, will do just fine increasing their physical activity to a moderate level.
Chair Based Exercise may be an option for older adults who are not able to always complete strenuous movements or may have temporary or permanent disabilities. Chair Based Exercise can help those with limited range of motion, or people suffering from back problems.
This can also help older adults with poor balance or those who have trouble getting up from a chair or reaching down to pick something up of the floor.
However, if you haven't been active previously or for a while, it's important to start at a low level of effort and work your way up slowly.
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Also, if you are at high risk for any chronic diseases such as heart disease or diabetes, or if you smoke or are obese, or any uncontrolled symptoms you must check first with your GP\doctor before becoming more physically active.
Older adults should be active every day to maintain their health, whether through physical activity\exercise.
When thinking about ways to be active, consider doing exercises\activities that you can fit into your daily life. Choose activities that appeal to you and that suit your lifestyle, budget, and health. Most importantly make time for this.
If you prefer individual activities, try swimming, gardening, cycling or walking. You may enjoy dancing or playing racket sports such as tennis, if you enjoy two-person activities.
If group activities appeal to you, try a sports or join an exercise class. Some people find that going to a gym regularly or working with a fitness instructor or personal trainer helps them stay motivated.
To fit exercise/physical activity into your schedule, you can be active in short spurts throughout the day, or you can set aside specific times of the day on specific days of the week to exercise.
You can combine physical activity with a task that's already part of your day, such as walking the dog or doing household chores. You could also check out an exercise video from the library or use the leisure\fitness centre at a local community centre
Look for activities that are in line with your budget. Many physical activities -- such as brisk walking, raking leaves, or taking the stairs whenever you can -- are free or low cost and do not require special equipment.
Once you've started exercising, it's important to keep going because exercise\physical activity needs to be done on a regular basis to produce maximum benefits.
Ask a neighbour, friend or family member to accompany you, having an "exercise buddy" keeps you & them going. If you don't already have an exercise partner, find one by joining a walking club at your local community centre or an exercise class.
Start by seeking to make exercise a regular part of your day. When it becomes a normal part of your everyday routine, like brushing your teeth, then you'll be less likely to stop and will find it easier to start up again if you're interrupted for some reason.
If you can stick with an exercise\physical activity for at least 6 months, it's a good sign that you're on your way to making physical activity a regular habit.
- Make it a priority
- Make it easy
- Make it safe
- Make it social
- Make it interesting and fun
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