The benefits of staying active are clear: You'll feel better, sleep better, and live longer. But if you're over 65, it can be difficult to find ways to exercise that don't cause pain or discomfort. So take heart—it's possible to stay active as a senior! In this article, we'll discuss the best ways to stay fit as you age, whether your goal is major fitness or just getting outside more often.
Exercise to help prevent falls.
Falls are the leading cause of injury among people aged 65 and older. Falls can cause serious injuries like broken bones or head trauma, but they also put you at risk for developing chronic conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.
To reduce your risk of falling:
- Exercise regularly to improve your strength, balance, and flexibility.
- Wear sensible shoes that have good traction on slippery surfaces like wet floors or snow-covered sidewalks. Avoid high heels if possible; they make it harder for you to maintain balance while walking or running errands around town because their height throws off your center of gravity (the imaginary point about which all parts of your body balance). If necessary, wear thick socks with grips on them so that if one foot slips off its shoe during exercise it won't go sliding across the floor!
Build up to a goal.
- Start small. Don't try to run a marathon or build your body into a chiseled sculpture all at once. Instead, start with something that seems manageable and work up from there. You may want to start with walking around the block, then add some stairs and hills as you get stronger, then maybe even run for five minutes before returning home for tea--but don't go so far that it burns you out and makes it harder for you to keep going in the future!
- Take breaks! Your body needs rest after exercising because this is when muscles repair themselves and grow stronger (or whatever). It's also important not just physically but mentally: sometimes we can become discouraged if we're trying something new and not getting immediate results--but this doesn't mean we should give up! Focus on what progress has been made instead of dwelling on how far one still has left until completion (or whatever goal they've set).
Work out with friends.
If you're a senior and haven't exercised in a while or if this is the first time you've ever been to the gym, it can be helpful to work out with friends. You can encourage each other to keep going when things get tough, which will help both of you stick with it. If one person knows what they are doing (such as having taken classes before), then that person can help the other learn new things as well as stay motivated during their workout.
If going at your own pace is important for your health and safety, try starting small: 7-10 minutes three times a week is all it takes! As time goes on and you start feeling better about yourself physically, gradually increase how long each session lasts until eventually reaching 30 minutes per session five days per week.
Get outside.
The benefits of getting out in the fresh air are many, but for seniors, they can be especially important. Get some exercise and vitamin D, or just enjoy being around other people. Bring your walking sticks if you need them! If you have a dog that loves going on walks with you (and who doesn't?), take him along today so he gets some fresh air too! And don't forget to bring water with you on these hot summer days--it'll help keep everyone cool and hydrated as they walk around town exploring new places together!
Give yourself a break if you slip up.
If you're like me, when you don't meet your goals and feel like a failure, it's easy to give up. But if we can all keep trying--and not beat ourselves up for our failures--we'll be able to make progress toward our goals in the end.
Don't be too hard on yourself if you slip up! You've got this!
It's possible to stay active as a senior, even if you feel stiff or less limber than you used to be.
As you age, it can be difficult to stay active and fit. In fact, many seniors have given up on exercise altogether because they think that they are too old or out of shape to do anything physically demanding. But there are ways to get moving without straining yourself!
If you're looking for a way to keep up with your fitness goals without putting too much stress on your body (or feeling self-conscious), here are some gentle exercises that can help keep you limber:
- Gentle yoga classes offer an easy way to strengthen muscles without hurting them. These classes offer gentle stretching techniques that emphasize flexibility rather than strength. If yoga isn't for you but still want some physical activity involving stretching, try Pilates instead! Although Pilates focuses primarily on core strength rather than flexibility (which makes sense considering its origins), it also includes plenty of stretching movements throughout each session which makes it ideal for seniors looking for something low-impact yet effective at improving posture/strength balance over time. Tai Chi is another popular choice among older adults due to its focus on balance rather than strength training - so if walking isn't quite enough movement for now then consider trying this ancient Chinese martial art form instead! It involves slow movements designed specifically around tai chi principles such as centering energy along meridians throughout our bodies while focusing internally during meditation periods throughout class. Swimming is another great option because water provides resistance against a movement which helps strengthen muscles without putting too much strain on bones or joints; additionally, swimming pools provide zero-impact exercise opportunities which means no pain whatsoever while still getting plenty active outside
Conclusion
As we age, our bodies change. It's important to remember that those changes are normal and not something we need to feel bad about. There are many ways for seniors to stay active, even if they feel stiff or less limber than they used to be!
