Better living Exercise – “Movement Moments” Make for Better Living

As we age, there are things we can do to stay healthy, active and independent as long as possible. Exercise is one of them. But exercise is about more than maintaining a healthy weight, it improves our lives in many ways.

As we get older, we begin to lose our strength, balance and flexibility. It becomes harder to perform everyday tasks, putting us at risk of losing our independence. But regular exercise, even as little as 15 to 20 minutes a day, improves strength, balance and flexibility. It becomes easier to do the things we need to do and we have more energy to enjoy our hobbies, friends, family and grandchildren.

“A study on nursing home patients found that those who exercised showed universal improvement—progressing from walkers to canes, canes to no-canes and so on,” says Dr. Michael Truesdell, medical director of the HHS Clinical Services Program. “Muscles improve throughout life; it is inactivity that weakens us. So get up and exercise without excuses. Motion is lotion for your muscle!”

In addition to changes we see on the outside, exercise does incredible things inside. It helps to lower blood pressure, improve bone density, reduce brain fog and boost our immune system. It also reduces the risk of cognitive decline, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions. Plus, all those endorphins just make us happier.

So what should we be doing? Just get moving. We don’t have to run a marathon or lift an elephant. Adding small “movement moments” throughout the day can have a significant impact. Ideally, these movements would include a mix of aerobic exercise, stretching and strength or resistance training.

We can make these moments easier to incorporate in to our day by tying them to something we already do like some squats while brushing our teeth, walking while talking on the phone, standing on one foot while waiting in line or doing a set of an exercise during commercials. It all adds up and as we become more fit, we can add more movements or more moments.

Any way we slice it, exercise makes for better living.

Simple things you can do now

• Walk your dog

• Park further from your destination

• Take the stairs

• Stretch every time you get up

• Put on your favorite song and dance

• Get a fitness buddy.

Together is better.

Senior room at the WOLF

If your resolutions include improving your health, check out the special senior fitness center at the Way Of Life Facility, affectionately known as the WOLF. The designated area has a variety of equipment and allows you to work out in a quieter environment exclusively for seniors.