Aging is something that we all dread, but it is inevitable. However, by working out on a regular basis and ensuring you eat a healthy diet, your senior life can be better. Having a healthy lifestyle makes you feel younger, way into your senior years. As a matter of fact, a study published in the Internal Medicine Archives showed that working out regularly after the age of 50 can add years to your life.
In the study, men who worked out moderately added an average of 1.3 years to their lives while those who actively exercised added an average of 4 years. Women of the same age added 1.1 years after moderately working out and those who were highly active added an average of 3.2 years.
The study ideally showed that individuals who worked out more lived more years without experiencing cardiovascular issues. The results showed that moderate workout increases life expectancy and actively doing so doubles the longevity. Simply put, exercising will help you live a longer and healthier life.
It Is Never Too Late To Start
Regardless of your current fitness level or age, engaging in a workout regime can offer numerous benefits. For example, working out on a regular basis improves your metabolic rate and this means you will be burning calories even when you’re not engaging in any physical activity. This is important for individuals who find it hard to manage weight as they grow.
It is never too late to start and commit to a fitness regime. The hard part is tailoring your workouts to the challenges and limitations of your biological state. There are numerous factors that determine your biological state or age including body fat, weight, mental health, general health, tobacco and alcohol use as well as lifestyle choices. For instance, if you’ve been sedentary for a long time and smoke tobacco, you may be 50 years old, but your biological age could be closer to 60. On the contrary, if you are a physically and mentally active individual at the age of 60, do not smoke or drink and eat a healthy diet, your biological age is likely to be 55.
You should consult your doctor or seek senior care advice in order to try and determine your biological and ideally put all these factors into consideration while creating a new fitness regime that’s realistic and safe for your current age. You have probably heard the conventional disclaimer of consulting your physician before engaging in a workout regime. This is always a good idea as it ensures the program is tailored for you. Ideally, if you have a heart condition, diabetes, blood pressure or similar conditions, it’s important to consult your doctor first.
Gauge Your Fitness Level in a Safe Manner
The initial step when it comes to fitness is gauging your current fitness level. Have you engaged in strength training on a regular basis? What’s your current cardiovascular fitness level? Do you have a weight issue? What’s your stamina.
These are all important aspects worth taking into consideration. In addition to consulting your physician, a personal trainer can also be able to objectively gauge, assess all these factors and create a safe and effective workout routine for you.
Strength training is an essential aspect
General Guidelines
of your fitness regime early on, but when you are over 50, it is imperative to dedicate half an hour of resistance training at least 3 times per week. This is particularly imperative for women in order to avoid debilitating issues like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, later in life. Do not forget to include some cardiovascular activity in your workout regimen as well. This should include activities like running, walking, playing tennis, swimming and even cycling.
Even if you have been sedentary for a long time, it is never too late to start. The secret is to begin slowly and gradually get into it. So, instead of running, walk first. Rather than rushing into lap swimming, consider aerobics lessons first. The senior stage of life tends to be quite fragile and so, it’s important to ease into such physical activities.
