As people age, they often become less physically active. In fact, studies show that at the age of 75, about one in three men and one in two women don’t exercise. The number of positive benefits from exercising far outweighs the negative, which means it’s essential to exercise and strengthen your body consistently, especially as you get older. We’ve compiled a list of ways you can stay active as you age.
#1 Know the health benefits of exercise
Sometimes knowing the health benefits of exercise is enough to motivate people to start an exercise routine. Some of the benefits of exercising include a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, colon cancer and breast cancer. Physical activity also increases muscle strength and flexibility, which decreases the risk of falls and injuries.
#2 Set fitness goals
Without setting goals, it can be difficult to hold yourself accountable. Think about what you want to achieve and use that to set realistic, specific and measurable fitness goals. It’s also important for these goals to be attainable so that you don’t get too discouraged when trying to accomplish them. Setting goals that are both measurable and specific, instead of general and imprecise, will help you know if you’ve accomplished them. When writing specific goals, include types of exercise, frequency, intensity and time. Don’t forget to check up on your goals and set new ones when you accomplish old ones.
#3 Search for community resources
