7 HEALTH AND FITNESS TIPS FOR THE ELDERLY

No one is too old to prioritize their health. Here are seven health and fitness tips for the elderly. You can enjoy yourself and stay healthy. You’ll be up and moving in no time!

#1: Start Small

Many older people have increased risks or worries when it comes to fitness. Whether you used to be active or you’ve always hated exercising, the best way to work on health and fitness when you’re older is to make incremental progress. You may start with a ten-minute walk that progresses into a longer walk. Soon enough, it may become part of your fitness routine, in addition to other types of movement that you layer in throughout the week. There’s no rush to make huge amounts of progress, and actually trying to go faster than your natural pace can lead to injuries or burnout. It isn’t sustainable to push beyond your limits.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should always stay squarely in your comfort zone, either. Find the balance where you have a reasonable starting space and inch up from there. A qualified physician or similar resource can help you to determine where to start and how much progress to strive towards, so you do not feel overwhelmed.

#2: Warm Up & Cool Down

While those in other stages of life often have to squeeze their exercise in around other activities, older people typically have the luxury of spreading out their schedule more. Take advantage of that by recognizing that you don’t need to be in a rush with your fitness goals or time. Give yourself time before and after you start exercising to warm up and cool down. There are plenty of resources, online and otherwise, to give suggestions for how to go about this stretching and preparing process.

#3: Establish a Routine

If you want to be healthy and reliable with your fitness, it’s best to establish a consistent exercise schedule. The amount of exercise or the difficulty of the activities you do will likely increase gradually over time, and you can accommodate that in your fitness schedule.

So, your routine should be regular without being overly rigid. Consistency is important, but so is flexibility as you listen to your body and continue to push yourself at a healthy pace.

#4: Exercise With a Friend

Exercising can be much more motivating, fun, and safe when you do it with a friend. If you don’t have a friend in mind, see if you can join a group or attend a class through your senior center or gym that can help you find like-minded seniors with whom you can enjoy moving. It sounds simple, but this can make all the difference in making your exercise habit stick.

#5: Support Exercise With Diet & Lifestyle

While fitness primarily involves exercise, you’ll be much healthier when you support your physical activities with a generally healthy lifestyle. That is especially true when it comes to your diet. The best way to keep your heart healthy is to eat right while staying active.

#6: Set Realistic Short-Term Goals

It can be tempting to shoot for the stars when you first start exercising, making dramatic goals like a number of pounds you’ll lose or the amount of energy you’re about to gain. While a measurable quantifiable goal can be a helpful benchmark to strive towards, setting realistic short-term goals will serve you better than overly ambitious or longer spanning resolutions.

Different people are in different places when it comes to fitness, and goals should reflect individual circumstances. That means your goals may be different than your spouse’s or your friend with whom you work out. Don’t be ashamed if you need a slower pace; be honest with yourself. As life happens with injuries, busy times, and more, you’ll need to adjust your goals and expectations for your exercises as you go.

#7: Consider Your Health From Head to Toe

Older people tend to be set in their ways, and it’s easy to fall into habits where we overemphasize the areas of our health and fitness that have been the most important, relevant, or typical in our lives while ignoring the rest. A holistic approach to health, though, is ideal. When you consider your health from head to toe, you may be considering movement or lifestyle choices that aren’t your norm. It’s a good idea to consult with your doctor in crafting your plan for increased health and wellness.

When it comes to your head, mindfulness is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Try to tune into your body during exercise to see how you feel, including awareness of your breathing rhythm or how your feet hit the ground. Mindfulness takes practice, but it can relieve stress while helping you avoid accidents since you are aware of your physical condition. As for your toes, don’t let conditions like swollen feet stop you from continuing to be active. Instead, get some shoes for swollen feet. Investments into your health like this are well worth making.

      Written by: Aaron Smith

Aaron Smith is an LA-based content strategist and consultant in support of STEM firms and medical practices. He covers industry developments and helps companies connect with clients. In his free time, Aaron enjoys swimming, swing dancing, and sci-fi novels.