The Cardiologist's Wife

Aging Better Through Exercise (If you think this post isn’t for you, let me remind you that you are aging every day, every minute! Now read on.)

[ Post by Lisa Tedder ][ Post on June 28, 2012 ][ In Fitness Tips, Medical and Health Information ]

People make so many excuses for not exercising.  It’s too hot, I can’t afford a gym membership, I don’t like to sweat, I don’t have time, my knee hurts too much.  Well all that is so much bull crap!  (Sorry for the language but someone has to tell it like it is!)  I watched America’s Got Talent last night and I’m glad I did.  There were two women who performed a dance routine and one even did the splits.  I believe one was in her 70′s and the other in her 80′s.  Both looked fit and trim, happy and full of life.  Another woman in her 80′s performed a kind of song and dance routine.  She had remarkable legs and also looked fit and happy.  These ladies weren’t just lucky, they’ve kept active and consequently, they are enjoying life at an age when so many are lying in a nursing home bed.

 

So is that the life you want, sitting in a wheel chair or lying in a hospital bed?  What can you do to prevent that from happening?  Start today to prepare for the rest of your life!  Walking is free the last time I checked (about 40 minutes ago) and I made time by getting up early before it got too hot.  There, three excuses gone in one sentence.  My back has been very painful the last three weeks, it gets better, then worse but that hasn’t stopped me from doing some type of exercise.  I’ve avoided doing the things I can’t but instead done more things I can, like swim, while trying to let my back heal.  So you can find some exercise to do even with limitations like bad knees and painful joints.

 

My husband brought me an article from USA Today titled “Exercise makes all the difference in aging well.”  The article is about an emerging group of super-fit middle aged and older people that includes athletes like Dara Torres, Olympic swimmer at age 45, Jamie Moyer, pitcher at age 49 and Tamae Wantanabe, who summited Mount Everest this year at 73.  Some scientists now believe that exercise slows the aging process and are certain that physical activity means the difference between aging well or suffering from a variety of problems.  The key is motivation but most of society simply isn’t working hard enough.  Indeed, 24% of adults over 65 are totally inactive and less than 40% exercise moderately for 150 minutes a week.  (That would mean walking briskly for 30 minutes, 5 times a week for example.)

 

For those of you reading this who aren’t 45 or older, take note.  Most of us will begin to have a physical decline in our 30′s so get moving now!  You will be much better off if you take care of yourself all your life.  Whatever your age, start some sort of exercise program today.  Ideally, that means aerobic exercise for your heart, weight work for strong muscles and flexibility and agility exercises.  Talk with your doctor first if you are extremely out of shape, over-weight or already have some health problems.  Work with a trainer to get started, take a class, walk with a partner, just do something.  Let’s reverse the unhealthy trend in the U.S.!

 

 

 My husband’s mother, who is 84, has kept active by swimming and walking.  She plays bridge several times a week and is planning a trip to New York this fall, not dozing in the old folks home.

Upadated on June 28, 2012

One Response to “Aging Better Through Exercise (If you think this post isn’t for you, let me remind you that you are aging every day, every minute! Now read on.)”

1. Lisa Tedder says:

   June 29, 2012 at 2:19 am

   Also wanted to mention that exercise boosts immunity, helps you sleep better, have more energy and better sex, less depression and lowers your risk of diabetes and breast cancer. Now why aren’t you exercising?

   Reply