| As people age their beliefs about themselves | | | | higher risks of medical problems such as |
| change, and one of those beliefs is about their | | | | osteoporosis. |
| ability to lead an active lifestyle. Many older people | | | | It is estimated that regular exercise can prevent |
| believe that they can no longer exercise like they | | | | over half of the potential physical declines |
| used to when they were young. In many cases | | | | associated with aging. Physical activity slows down |
| this may be true. However, studies show that it is | | | | the aging process while increasing your energy, |
| never too late to start exercising. Nobody is too | | | | your stamina, and your mental health. |
| old to begin exercising. But it is important to start | | | | Improvements in strength, muscle tone and |
| slow and work your way up. Once you have | | | | appearance are obvious benefits of exercise. But |
| established an exercise routine you'll likely find that | | | | regular exercise will also increase the efficiency of |
| you can be healthier, more active, and feel better | | | | your lungs and your heart warding off potential |
| than you did and even in your younger years. | | | | problems. It is essential to keep your ligaments |
| Before you start an exercise program you should | | | | from becoming too stiff as you age as this will |
| have a medical checkup. Check with your doctor | | | | result in less flexibility and reduced range of |
| to see what kind of exercises he recommends. | | | | movement. An active person will receive benefits |
| You aren't likely to find that your doctor will | | | | such as decreased blood pressure and a |
| disagree that exercise will be a positive thing even | | | | decreased heart rate. Improvements in |
| into old age. | | | | self-image, confidence and reduced levels of |
| At the beginning your exercise program should | | | | stress are other benefits. |
| include moderate levels of activity, and you should | | | | When you are considering a course of exercise |
| not start out with marathon exercise sessions. A | | | | activity is important to examine several |
| good short 15 minute walk is an example of a | | | | categories. These categories are aerobic training, |
| moderate form of exercise that can yield great | | | | weight training and flexibility. In the beginning it is |
| benefits. You may want to start with just 10 | | | | essential to increase your flexibility as much as |
| minutes. Or you may find it you can only walk for | | | | possible. For people who have not exercised in a |
| five to 10 minutes before taking a rest. The | | | | long time increasing flexibility should be the starting |
| important thing is to keep setting goals and | | | | point and should precede other activities. Tight |
| moving ahead. So if you start with 10 minute | | | | muscles can lead to injuries. |
| walks gradually increase that time to 15 minutes | | | | What you have spent several weeks improving |
| and then to 20 minutes. Don't try to prove to | | | | your flexibility it is time to move to aerobic |
| yourself how much you can do in your first | | | | activities. Walking as previously mentioned as a |
| session. It is far better to build yourself up and | | | | great way to start. Another great activity is |
| increase your activity level each day as your | | | | water aerobics. If you have access to a pool is a |
| body begins to feel more comfortable with the | | | | great way to get aerobic exercise without causing |
| tasks you are putting it through. | | | | pain or stress to the joints. |
| A good goal is 30 minutes of modest exercise | | | | Weight training should generally come after you |
| each day. Ideally, this would include a combination | | | | have learned to increase your flexibility and |
| of stretching each day and alternating aerobics | | | | developed a program of regular aerobic exercise. |
| and weight training. But this isn't where you have | | | | There are many options for weight training that |
| to start. Especially if you have not been active for | | | | do not require you to join a gym. Many exercises |
| many years it could take weeks or even months | | | | such as push ups, or even push ups starting from |
| before you're comfortable with a 30 minute walk. | | | | the knees can help to build muscle strength. |
| There are many changes in our bodies as we age. | | | | While many people feel that exercise is something |
| Aging causes muscles to deteriorate along with | | | | that is more difficult for them to do as they age |
| our lung capacity. The rate of our metabolism and | | | | it is just as if not more important to exercise in |
| our flexibility decreases with age. There are also | | | | the latter portions of our lives. |