Are you too old to exercise? The old adage, ‘It is never too late to start,’ was probably written, to answer this very question. We are forever in the quest to improve/maintain good health since it is fundamental to everything else in life. So, why should it be an exception in the later years of life, where infact it is most needed? And it has been established beyond doubt that exercise is the best and safest bet, when it comes to good health. Infact the right kind of exercise, in the right amount, is the best antidote to whatever problems aging brings along with it.
Exercise improves strength, stamina, flexibility, co-ordination, posture, helps deal with stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness and unhealthy addictions. It also..
- Revs up your metabolism, particularly by strength training.
- Helps prevent Sarcopenia– which is age related loss of muscle-mass (atrophy), leading to loss of strength with resistance training (weight / strength training).
- Helps prevent osteoporosis, cardiac complications, diabetes, obesity, etc.
- Excellent anti-aging potion for the skin.
- Focuses on all aspects of “wellness”- physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual!
Complications generally arise due to faulty lifestyle habits accumulated over the years—like obesity, diabetes, cardiac problems, etc. Though problems like arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, (which is an age-related wear and tear problem of the joints), asthma, may have other causes. But exercise science has so rapidly advanced, that there exists some exercise, which can help improve any condition positively. A person with knee-problems may find walking difficult, but can also use cycling, aqua or chair exercises. The right kind of exercise will take into consideration.. - Individual goals.
- Health history, present health status and level of conditioning.
- Medical history — medications and complications.
- Contraindicated risks. Cardio Training is..
- Regular walking(outdoor/treadmill), cycling, dance-aerobics, step-climbing, aqua-aerobics, Tai-chi.
- Recreational sports, like tennis, etc.
- Strength Training.
- A set of exercises focusing on all major body parts. Light-weights and more repetitions are the norm.
- Active / passive stretching, Yoga asanas are the way to go! Try out different exercises, combinations, or the latest trends like Salsa dancing, Power Yoga, etc.
Any time of the day is fine, as long regularity is maintained.A few precautions, and you are ready to go! - Obtain a ‘Physician’s Release’ document.
- Obtain information about exercise precautions and restrictions, Training-Intensity Limit (especially in case of post-stroke individuals on heart rate lowering medications ).
- Do not over exert.Watch for signs of fatigue.
- Maintain ‘pain free range of motion’ of the movement / exercise.
- Maintain healthy nutrition and hydration.
- Guard against climate changes by proper clothing, hydration levels.It is rightly said that, “Exercise not only adds more life to your years, but more years to your life.” So gear up, get your shoes on, and get out to enjoy the best years of your life in the best way possible. The bus is waiting!
Sindhu Ramachandran is an engineer but with a passion for people and learning, found her calling in the domains of human behaviour and connection. What followed is an eight-year research into ‘Intentions of Human Behaviour’ which has now morphed into a project called “Simplifying Life”! Deeply spiritual in her outlook, she is an avid reader, an amateur documentary-film maker and very interested in mystical sciences, besides dabbling in writing when inspired by the environment around her!
i’ve been looking for a tomorrow for so many yrs now when i’ll get up early n ge for a morning walk. A thousands of tomorrows have turned into todays but that day hasn’t come yet. I’d removed sofa set from my bed room n replaced it with treadmill n cross-trainer 3-4 yrs ago, so that i cd do it in comfort of my bed room but in vain. I’ve turned 40 now n I still wait for that golden tomorrow
Life begins at 40 Rajesh… like Nike says, “Just Do It”!!