| As seniors, and I am 64, by the way, you and I | | | | So, when you pick up an exercise book written |
| are aware that we are different from many | | | | by younger people FOR younger people, realize |
| portions of the population which is catered to by | | | | that you can probably still do most of the |
| exercise publications and equipment. However, | | | | exercises, but maybe not at the same level of |
| that does not mean that we are so different that | | | | intensity as before. Those in senior exercise |
| we cannot make use of the same information, | | | | programs should realize, in fact, that, while they |
| guidance, and resources that "young folk" do. We | | | | can do almost anything the young people do, they |
| just have to "exercise" (pun intended) some of | | | | probably cannot do it at quite the same level. |
| that wisdom that supposedly comes with getting | | | | It really doesn't seem to matter too much what |
| older. | | | | kind of exercise or activity we are talking about, |
| Notice, I did NOT say, "old age". I'm not there yet | | | | seniors can probably do it, they just need to |
| and neither are you! | | | | adjust their expectations and goals to fit reality. |
| Actually, senior exercise programs, in most cases, | | | | This is not really too hard because first of all we |
| can be essentially the same as any exercise | | | | are probably grateful that we DON'T have to |
| program presented to younger people, just | | | | work as hard as before, and the pressure is off |
| adjusted for the facts of life. | | | | to perform at some jock-like level. |
| For example, younger folk may do a lot of | | | | When we were younger, we wanted big biceps |
| bouncing around, while many of us...ahem...more | | | | or bosoms, but now we are grateful to have |
| mature individuals, will want to use less bouncing | | | | okay biceps or bosoms, and a little regular |
| and more around in our senior exercise programs. | | | | physical activity...okay, "exercise"...can help us attain |
| Of course, as in so many other things, a lot will | | | | our goals. |
| depend on the individual, but as we age, joints | | | | So, whether you are into yoga, weight lifting, |
| tend to wear out, various conditions surface, and | | | | swimming, biking, or some other example of the |
| we have to take those things into account. | | | | many senior exercise programs possible, you can |
| Another example of what we might need to | | | | do it and have fun. That's nice, isn't it: doing |
| consider when planning our senior exercise | | | | something that's good for you and having fun at |
| programs is the fact that, as we age, we lose a | | | | the same time? |
| certain amount of strength. Even the most | | | | There are probably as many possible different |
| physically fit individual will commonly only be able | | | | senior exercise programs as there are seniors, so |
| to lift a portion of what he or she could lift a few | | | | get out there and figure out what yours is. |
| years previously. | | | | |