Getting Started with an Exercise Program

January 24th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

Exercise is something every should be doing, regardless of age. As you age, though, it is even more critical that you workout daily in order to maintain a strong body and a strong mind. If you aren’t currently exercising, you may be wondering where or how to start. If you have failed at exercise programs in the past, you may think it is impossible. No matter what is holding you back, you can get back into exercising by following a few simple steps.

Visit Your Doctor

Every exercise program comes with the standard warning to see your doctor before beginning an exercise regimen. Don’t ignore this warning, especially if you are advanced in years. Many older people participate in very strenuous physical activity but not all of us are capable of these things. So visiting a doctor before starting an exercise program may just prevent you from causing yourself serious health problems. Your doctor can help you exercise in a way that will be safe and effective. He  can help you design an effective exercise program that’s appropriate for your age and your current health condition.

Joining a Gym

Gyms are a great place to start your exercise program, no matter what your age or fitness level. Many gyms are moving away from focusing only on the young and fit and are offering programs, classes and encouragement to people of all ages. Gyms are aware that not everyone has the same mobility; they are beginning to offer programs designed for those who need additional assistance. You can find a lot of great advice from gym employees who have a lot of experience with developing exercise programs for people of all ages and abilities.

Fitness Clubs

One option if a gym membership isn’t for you is to find a fitness club in your area. There are many different type of fitness clubs including walking clubs, biking clubs, hiking clubs and even swimming clubs. These clubs have a lot of advantages; they offer opportunities for you to meet new people and network with others who can help you in other areas of your life. You can even find clubs for people who prefer to walk inside like mall walking clubs.

Get Your Friends Involved

You are much more likely to keep up with an exercise program if you have people to keep you motivated. Find out if any of your friends are active in any exercise programs that you would be interested in joining. If your friends aren’t active, get them involved with a fun exercise program with you. Everyone will love working together to be physically fit. The more people you have to support you and that you can support, the better you all will do.

Make sure that whatever activity you choose, it is one you enjoy doing. You’ll have much more success at exercising if you love what you are doing.

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Staying Shape in the Winter

January 18th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Family Health

It’s hard for all of us to get motivated to exercise in the winter. As few as 30% of us manage to exercise this time of year and even those that do exercise don’t get as much exercise as they do the rest of the year. With the holiday seasons keeping us busy and the cold and miserable weather, it’s easy to find other things to do. It’s hard to overcome these obstacles in the winter.

Winter is a great time to find a gym near you. You’ll be able to exercise in a warm and comfortable environment and you’ll feel better about yourself. You’ll also be able to get advice and help from fitness experts who can set up a great workout program for you. Gyms are also a great place to make new friends and meet new people with similar interests.

If joining a gym isn’t right for you, there are other ways you can get your exercise indoors. You can do laps at the local mall yourself or even join a mall walking group. Walking around the mall is enjoyable because you can check out the new merchandise in all the windows and do a little shopping afterwards. If you are there before the mall opens, you can walk as fast as you would like. If you join a mall walking club, there are often great membership benefits.

If you can’t seem to get out of the house, find a way to workout at home. You probably have some exercise tapes laying around in your house. Bring those out and try some new exercise programs. Run in place or up and down your stairs. Even playing a physically active game with the family will be beneficial. If you don’t have a treadmill, get a block of wood or a low, wide stool. Place it in front of your TV and step up and down from it while you watch your shows.

Winter sports leagues are a good idea if you are athletic. You can find sports leagues for basketball, indoor soccer and indoor football even. There are almost as many choices for winter sports as there are for summer sports. Maybe you could try something new like dodge ball or broomball just for fun. If you’d rather, you could organize a family football game at your backyard every week.

If you are going to be exercising outside, make sure you are dressed properly. You’ll need several layers of warm clothes on instead of just one warm coat. Make sure you aren’t overdressed because excess sweating in the cold can be dangerous. Don’t under dress either or you can end up getting sick.

Let your body get adjusted to the cold weather before doing too much. Do some warm ups to get your blood moving. When you come back in, you’ll have to adjust to the warm again by removing one layer at a time instead of taking all your warm clothes off at once.

You can find a way to get active in the winter if you do your research. Winter activities can be a lot of fun!

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5 Exercise for Baby Boomers

January 7th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

Just because you are getting older doesn’t mean you have to give up on getting into shape and feeling good. Participating in activities that build your endurance, strength, balance and keep you limber will allow you to maintain an active lifestyle no matter what your age.

The following five exercises will help you achieve these goals.

1. Walk

Walking may not seem like exercise but it really is good for you and will help you lose weight. If you enjoy walking with others, get a friend to walk with you or find a walking group in your neighborhood. You can do your walking any place really including inside a mall, on a track, on a treadmill in front of the TV or just around your neighborhood. Walking provides a lot of variety so you won’t get bored and give up on your exercise plan. You can enjoy the company of old friends or you can make new ones while you walk for health.

2. Make a Splash

Water aerobics are a great exercise because it offers you a great workout with good results without putting any strain on your joints that comes with other exercises. You can find a water aerobics class right for you no matter how experienced you are. Check out gyms and fitness health clubs in your area as these places often offer water aerobics classes for all ages and skill levels. You just might make some new friends at your local water aerobics class.

3. Lift Those Weights

Not everyone who lifts weights ends up with big bulging muscles. You can lose weight from weight lifting and what you lose will be more fat than with other exercises. Weight lifting is especially good as you age because it helps maintain bone density, mobility and balance. This will help you stay active as you age.

4. Do Yoga

Even if you have never done it before, yoga can be tailored to your skill level. Some yoga poses are extremely difficult and take a lot of strength and balance but others are easy enough for beginners to do. Yoga will help your increase your flexibility and balance as well as relax you and even help you fall asleep easier.

5. Play Sports

You may not be the most athletic person but you can find a “for fun” sports league that you will enjoy and that will be glad to have you. Check with your local senior citizen center or community group to see what is available. Sports are great for building strength and endurance and staying in shape. If organized sports are not for you, just go throw a ball around with your grandchildren. That is great exercise too.

If you find an activity you enjoy, you’ll be more likely to stay with it and keep improving your fitness and health.

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