Seniors Fitness

As a Senior Myself!

As a senior myself, I too am fighting age.  But, exercise is great at kicking the “aging can down the road".  I find that exercise also helps my immune system as I don’t get sick that much with a cold or flu.  I have worked out so long now, that it is just part of my daily life.

I remember when I first started to work out, I didn’t know what this machine did or what I was supposed to really do.  In High School we did a little bit of weight lifting for sports, but not like they do today.  I played a lot of basketball during lunch in my 20’s while I was working, but when I moved to Houston, I couldn’t find a pickup game at lunch nearby.  A co-worker suggested I go to the gym with him.  For some reason I got hooked.  Maybe it was because I started to see results in about 4 weeks.  I took out a subscription to Muscle & Fitness magazine and read all the articles.  This was my trainer so to speak.  Since I played sports growing up, I’ve always been in decent shape and my motive was to have muscles and add strength.  Now, as a senior, I’m more interested in the health benefits that exercise and resistance training provide.

Most seniors, as they age, don’t exercise, or stop doing so for different reasons.  But, without a doubt, exercise can help build bone density, improve cardiovascular health, help strengthen the spine, help prevent injury and certain illnesses, and keep your body in shape.

You may not have the drive or motive to do so, but if you want your later years in life to be productive and healthy, I implore you to start a training program.  It's about longevity and enjoying your later years in life. You don’t want to fall and break a hip or femur and go downhill from there.

I don’t know when my number will be called, but I want to still enjoy the things I do today for as long as I can.  Eating right, getting plenty of sleep, drinking plenty of fluids and working out will help me get there.

Take a friend with you to the gym to get started or take a chair exercise or balance and stability class while you listen to your favorite music.  Ask a personal trainer or fitness instructor for advice. The first step is taking the first step.  You will soon enjoy the benefits of staying fit.