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Senior Health: Exercising Smartly

Senior Health Article Copyrighted by Diet Bites

As we experience an increase in wisdom, in turn we may experience a decrease in physical capabilities. Perhaps its nature's delicate balancing act at work, but to those that are accustomed to be on-the-go at the drop of a hat, slowing down impacts much more than physical limitations.

At one point in my life, I remember after losing one of my babies that the doctor ordered me to bed for a week.

During that time, I wished so badly that I could hop up and do something - anything!

For a long while after going through that experience, I became the biggest volunteer - going to collect anything that anyone needed. For the first time in my life, I really appreciated and respected the ability to move.

As we grow older, and experience a physical wind-down, we may be resentful, or even jealous of those 'that can' move about freely - or we may even feel sorry for ourselves. These are common feelings that we all embrace at one time or another in our lives - or we wouldn't be human.

If you are physically unable to embrace an active lifestyle, ask your doctor to provide you with an activity routine that you may be able to do. For those in wheelchairs, even stretching activities can serve to strengthen the body while allowing a mode for releasing stress.

Aerobic Exercise - What is aerobic exercise & what can it do for the body?

Aerobic exercise gets the heart rate up. An example is a brisk walk. Benefits of aerobic exercise include:

Boost in energy.

Improves balance, thus helping the individual to avoid slips & falls.

Strengthens bones and muscles. Aerobic exercise may even help those who use a walking support, such as cane, to discard that support over time.

Reduces bone fracture risks.

Creates a more efficient metabolism. A more efficient metabolism equals easier weight maintenance.

Exercise is a great stress reliever.

Reduces stiffness. Arthritic pain may be reduced greatly by working the joints. As I've grown older I keep a nice stash of Play-Doh in stock in all colors of the rainbow. Just working the dough in my hands helps decrease the joint pain. It may work for you, too. One thing is for certain; it feels really nice to work with. I would not recommend the black color as it does have a rather offensive scent - at least to my nose. White smells really nice and reminds me of the putty scent that I smelled as a kid when my father worked as a carpenter.

Activity reduces heart risks, including poor circulatory issues. It also assist in controlling high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.

Activity goes hand in hand with weight maintenance and weight loss.

Before you venture out on an aerobic walk-about:

Get your doctor's thumb's up before rigorous exercise.

Begin slowly and slowly increase the length of activity as your endurance naturally increases.

Hydrate with water but don't over-do as you can create an imbalance in the electrolytes (calcium, potassium and sodium).

Warm up, cool down and stretch before and after activity to reduce likelihood of injury.

No pain, no gain - no way. If you feel pain STOP.

Exercise wisely. Protect yourself against the elements grabbing the necessary gear such as sunshades, sun block, hat, coat, raincoat. Dress in layers during tricky weather. Take note that even on cool days, the sun can be a mean-booger bear.

Foot Gear should be well-fitted to prevent accidents and sore tootsies.

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