By Gilbey Scott
Who Says Seniors Don't
Have Time For Health?
Senior health is a
popular topic these days as aging baby boomers try to figure out the best ways
to keep enjoying their golden years... which happily are lasting longer and
longer in the 21st Century. Senior fitness is also an important issue as
technology and labor-saving devices have created a landscape where 'hard work'
is diminished... but so are the long-term health benefits that come from
leading an active life. And senior health is also a key to a healthy mind.
Numerous studies point to a strong connection between regular exercise and
emotional stability, providing strong evidence that many seniors can literally
exercise away their depression.
Seniors Workout In The
21st Century
Challenging workouts and
vigorous exercise have replaced shuffleboard and dominoes in the lives of 21st
Century seniors. With plans to live into their 90's and beyond, older fitness
enthusiasts as well as seniors who never thought about exercise when they were
young are now part of the workout craze. Especially, for seniors who are
retired or working from home, a daily workout is an incentive to get the body
moving. Keeping physically fit is just as important as keeping mentally fit,
and seniors understand the 'Point A to Point B' relationship between a body in
peak condition and a mind that is, too.
The ABC of Senior
Exercise
For optimum senior
health, the ABC of older fitness is actually ESC - Endurance, Strength and
Cardio. These three forms of exercise target different senior health needs and
should all be integrated into your workout program. Endurance exercise
increases blood flow and may protect older people from cardiac injury during a
heart attack, according to a new University of Florida study. Strength
exercises increase muscle mass and improve metabolism which aids in maintaining
a healthy weight...a key challenge in senior health. Workouts that target the
cardiovascular system promote heart health. Add stretching and balance
exercises for a complete approach to senior health and overall senior fitness.
Fit Seniors Are Smart
Seniors, Literally!
When seniors exercise,
their workout has a positive effect on muscles, joints, and bones. But the
amazing news is that exercise for seniors provides far more than just physical
fitness. Literally providing a workout for the brain as well as the body,
exercise supports senior health by improving blood flow and increasing
metabolism. Overall brain function is also improved thanks to better
circulation. This can bring a dramatic improvement to a senior's mental acuity
and memory function. Seniors who workout regularly, report that their exercise
program leaves them feeling positive and happy, with a positive attitude that
carries over into non-workout hours.
Feel The Burn and Set
Calories On Fire
Seniors need to be aware
of weight and its relationship to fitness. As the body ages, it becomes more
difficult for seniors to maintain an ideal weight without a fitness program,
regular workouts and exercise. If you can BOOST YOUR METABOLISM, your body will
be able to burn more calories per day. The good news for senior fitness is that
exercise naturally boosts your metabolism. Your fitness level will get a real
boost if you add weight training or progressive resistance exercise that builds
muscle to your workout. Muscle burns more calories than fat, and the more
muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even when you're resting.
Senior Exercise Prevents
Embarrassing Senior Conditions
One of the 'secret'
benefits seniors enjoy from exercise is freedom from worry. Exercise
strengthens muscles that hold the body's organs in place to prevent many of the
conditions that keep seniors from enjoying their lives fully. The positive
effect on the muscles that hold the bladder is the reason many older fitness
enthusiasts have found that keeping to a regular workout helps them put off
some of the most common (and potentially embarrassing) signs of aging,
including urinary tract problems. Simple pelvic exercises performed for a few
minutes a day, several times a week, can improve senior health exponentially.
The Secret of Success
There's no 'magic
bullet' that guarantees senior health and fitness. There's not even a 'magic'
workout or exercise. If there's any 'magic' in senior fitness, it's a magic
word. That word is COMMITMENT. For any exercise program or fitness regimen to
work, you need to follow it regularly...for life. A great way to stay motivated
is to KEEP A DAILY EXERCISE JOURNAL. Record the kind of exercise you did that
day, your heart rate, and anything else that's meaningful to you. You'll feel
great when you review the progress you've made in creating a lifetime of good
health for yourself.
About the Author: There
are fun ways for seniors to benefit from exercise. Visit:http://www.smart-shape.com
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