The Importance of Keeping Active and Healthy as we Age by Becci Kay
We all know and repeatedly get told about the benefits of exercise; improved fitness levels, improved self esteem, weight loss, feel good factor, increased flexibility… the list goes on. But how important is it to keep active as we age?
We currently have an aging population and with this comes commercial exploitation and readily available quick fixes. Plastic surgery is now mainstream, becoming more accessible to the masses with solutions for wrinkles, fat loss and cellulite. Weight loss and anti-ageing can now apparently be achieved with a pill. However with all these surgical procedures, magic creams and pills focussing on our exterior we’re neglecting what really matters… our interior health. What we seem to forget is that we can have an incredible body on the outside but still suffer from depression, high cholesterol, hypertension, osteoporosis, diabetes and much more.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could achieve better skin, lose cellulite, lose weight, look younger, feel younger, carry out daily activities without being breathless and feel happy naturally instead of turning to these unnatural remedies? Well you may not believe this but eating well, exercising, reducing daily stresses and controlling our sleeping patterns will precisely accomplish these things.
Weight Training Crucial
The American College of Sports Medicine stress the importance of weight training for middle-aged and older adults, and, in particular, postmenopausal women who may experience a more rapid loss of bone mineral density. Not only does weight training benefit our bones, joints and metabolism it also improves our performance to carry out activities of daily living (ADL) which is crucial, especially as we get older. Not only that but the better we are at performing ADL’s, the less the risk of injury and resulting problems.
Other forms of activity such as cardio-respiratory, flexibility training, balance and mobility training are also important and should be included in your activity routine to help us to slow down the impact of aging. You should aim to do little and often; 30 minutes a day 5 times per week.
Don’t use age as an excuse
Time and time again I speak to people about exercise and getting active. One of the first things they want to tell me when we discuss activity is “I’m too old to run”. Rubbish, 4 weeks later we’re jogging in a beautiful location somewhere in the Peak District in the fresh air pleased and slightly shocked at ourselves. No one is too old to run. You may not be able to run due to an injury or lack of movement but that’s your body not your age. And yes with age you do lose movement and injuries do happen but consistent flexibility, weight training and cardio work will help to control and resist these effects of age.
If you are keen to get active and would like to discuss the ways best suited to you with myself or any of our team, please get in touch on 08454 503073 or email me at becci@born2move.co.uk
Good Luck and do get in touch