| For a pleasurable retirement, the secret is senior | | | | effect as antidepressant medication, without the |
| fitness. Many Gerontologists, who study physical, | | | | negative side-effects. |
| mental and social changes in people as they age, | | | | Even the simple act of walking can greatly |
| say that the average senior is happier and | | | | increase your happiness during retirement. In a |
| healthier if they maintain a steady physical | | | | Honolulu Heart Program study the death rate of |
| exercise program. | | | | men who walked one mile or less was almost |
| Most seniors know that aerobic activity is | | | | twice that of seniors who walked more than two |
| important for heart health but they neglect the | | | | miles per day. Another study conducted between |
| fact that even at advanced age strength training | | | | 1990 and 2001 showed that senior's who walked |
| is still needed. Along with that, many seniors who | | | | over 30 minutes a day had few deaths during the |
| do regularly perform aerobic activity don't take | | | | time frame than those who did not. |
| the time to stretch before each workout leading | | | | Even if you're currently out of a shape or haven't |
| to increased injuries. | | | | worked out in years, a custom program can be |
| A fit and active 75 year old can be as strong and | | | | designed for you by a senior physical fitness |
| athletic as an unfit 35 year old. According to one | | | | expert. Don't try to make up for years of not |
| report, an active person will physically decline by | | | | exercising in one day. Start slowly and work your |
| only about ½% a year compared to a | | | | way up, for example: Start walking and build your |
| sedimentary person who will decline by almost a | | | | time up 5 minutes a day one week, 10 minutes a |
| full 2%. This is because we lose 3% - 5% of our | | | | day the next so on and so on, and when you get |
| muscle mass every decade, after about our 40th | | | | bored walking start speed walking using the same |
| birthday, we can still continue to increase muscle | | | | time frames. Walk, Speed walk, Jog, Run - Don't |
| strength and speed with regular exercise. | | | | just start running. Starting quick can injure you or |
| Being a fit senior can even improve your mood. | | | | even make it so you're burned out and no longer |
| Research has shown that 14% -18% of seniors | | | | want to work out. |
| are depressed. It has been shown that a regular | | | | Remember you're "only as old as you feel" and |
| fitness activity can even give close to the same | | | | being a fit senior will help you feel young. |