Have you been wanting to start exercising, but are worried about how you’ll hold up? According to a new study, it’s never too late to begin an exercise routine.
Many people, especially the elderly, are concerned about the impact that exercise will have on aging knees or an aging heart. Perhaps you’ve had similar concerns. After all, if you’ve led a relatively inactive lifestyle, you’re probably feeling a bit stiff and creaky. You might get winded easily when climbing stairs or carrying the groceries. And of course there’s the problem of feeling fatigued. When you don’t exercise for a long period of time, it’s hard to muster the energy for physical activity. It’s a vicious circle.
The good news is that you can break a cycle of inactivity and reap the benefits of exercise almost immediately. Almost all conditions can be helped by exercise. That includes chronic conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, and arthritis.
What are the benefits of exercise? To review, short-term benefits for you include a more relaxed body, reduced stress levels, and a more positive mood. Long-term benefits can include weight loss, improved strength, better balance, and an overall improvement in the quality of your life. This can mean anything from a sense of engagement with the world, to a better awareness of your body, to a renewed feeling of confidence and well-being. And of course the other long-term benefit, if you suffer from a chronic condition, is an improvement in frequency and severity of symptoms.
Building strength and confidence is of equal concern to older adults. Often as we age, we lose faith in being able to accomplish certain physical movements or activities. Researchers suggest that the best way to overcome this lack of confidence is to build on something you’ve done in the past.
For example, a former runner might take up walking, or a former hockey player might take up pleasure skating. Whatever skills you have from previous participation in sports and other physical activities will come back to you at least in part, no matter what your age.
And another bit of good news: according to researchers, older adults are more likely to stick with a new exercise program than any other demographic. So, all you have to do is to get started.
Choose a fitness level that will give your body time to get back into shape (consult with your doctor if you have any health problems). Don’t overdo it in the first few weeks, especially. Take a bit of extra time to warm up and cool down properly. And don’t forget to eat and drink accordingly. The more help you give your body, the more enjoyable exercise will be and the more you will get back in return.
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