Written by James Weber
As we age it becomes increasingly important to prioritize our well-being and embrace a fulfilling life. Regular physical activity and maintaining fitness levels serve as a formula for feeling amazing, keeping our minds sharp and ensuring our independence as we grow older. In this article we will explore some simple and practical ways to remain active and in health while navigating the process of aging.
Do What You Love
The key to staying active as you age lies in engaging in exercises and activities that genuinely bring you joy. High intensity exercise is a thing and does produce results but it’s not the long-term solution you’re looking for.
When exercises don’t feel like exercise, they don’t feel like a chore to do. When you’re having fun, you’ll find yourself quick to do it and look forward to your next session.
There are many ways to get exercise too. Experiment with options such as playing your favorite sport, dancing to your preferred music genres, enjoying leisurely walks amidst nature's beauty or indulging in board games with friends. The crucial aspect is finding activities that ignite happiness and enthusiasm within you.
Stay Strong and Flexible
As we progress through the years our bodies undergo changes. That can mean a loss of strength and muscle. You might find that your joints don’t move as smoothly and as effortlessly as it used to. There are ways to combat these changes, or in the very least, reduce the potential effects.
To stay strong, it’s a good idea to incorporate resistance training. Resistance training can be lifting weights or using bands but both can stimulate your muscles to get stronger. That not only causes muscles to retain their strength but also makes you even stronger than ever.
To stay flexible and prevent stiffness, try stretching or practicing yoga. These are activities that expose different parts of your body through stretching and improving the way you move with your joints as a whole. A flexible body also means a reduced risk of injuries.
Be Careful with High-Impact Activities
High-impact activities are something to be careful with as we get older. This is because these activities put a lot of strain on the joints. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t provide any stress to the joints (because high-impact exercises have their own benefits) but that we have to be careful how much stress we can actually handle.
Start with low impact exercises and see how you feel about them first. Things like biking, swimming or water aerobics are a good way to get some exercise while being gentler on your joints.
Over time, as you find yourself getting stronger and stronger, you can try a few high impact exercises to see how your body reacts to the challenge. Running and jumping might be a good place to start.
Know Your Limits
Understanding our limitations is crucial as we age. Our bodies may not be capable of performing tasks as effortlessly as before and that's absolutely fine. It's important to listen to our bodies and adjust our exercise routines accordingly.
If you're uncertain about which exercises are suitable for you, consulting with a doctor or fitness trainer is a good idea. They can offer guidance based on your specific needs and goals. But you’re free to try simple exercises first and see how it feels. If you find an exercise too easy, try something else.
Eat Healthy Food
In addition to exercise, maintaining a diet is equally important. Choosing foods plays a vital role in supporting overall well-being, alongside physical activity.
As we get older it's important to fuel our bodies to maintain vitality. Make sure to incorporate sources of protein such as chicken and fish into your meals. Including grains like brown rice and whole wheat bread in your diet can provide sustained energy. An easy way to understand if you’re getting enough of these macronutrients, consult a macros calculator to keep track.
Don't forget the importance of consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables as they are packed with vitamins and minerals that promote overall health. Lastly, stay hydrated throughout the day. Since fruits and vegetables are mostly made up of water, that means you’ll need to drink less water. Regardless, make sure you’ve had enough fluids.
Summary
Getting older doesn't mean slowing down; it means taking care of yourself so you can continue enjoying life. By knowing your current fitness level and slowly making adjustments to improve it, you can stay active and feel healthy no matter what age.
Age can be a factor but it doesn't have to stop there. You have the ability to choose what habits you keep doing or stop, at any age of your life.