As people retire and grow old, they also stop staying active and ensuring that their body gets enough movement. While raising kids, going to work, commuting, etc., the body is in constant motion, which is why even if you do not exercise much, your body at least gets to stay in motion. Movement of the body gets even more important as you grow older, as having nothing to do makes you lethargic and weakens it. Here are some things you can do to stay active while you age.
Start with a Doctor’s Check-In
Start by visiting your doctor, who can check your vitals, assess your BMI, and run basic tests to see what kind of physical activity is right for you. Then, they can tell you what type of physical activities you can get into and warn you if there is something that you should be careful about because of your health or medical condition.
Strength Training for Muscle and Bone Health
Strength training does not mean that you go to the gym and start lifting heavy weights. You may do simple yet effective exercises like squats or resistance band routines. Strength training is extremely important for people who are aging because as you grow older, you start to lose mass in your muscles, in a condition called sarcopenia, and start to feel lethargic and find it very hard to do simple everyday tasks like washing the dishes.
Walk Your Way to Better Health
Walking is a great way of keeping your body active and one of the easiest ways to do so. You do not have to put in too much effort, either. Just walk around your neighborhood or take a morning stroll. You can also get someone to accompany you and have a good time. Walking is also a good way to get yourself out of the house, make your muscles move, get some fresh air, and clear your mind. You should also set a goal for how much you want to move around during the day and monitor your steps by installing a fitness tracker on your phone.
The goal behind walking is to make sure that your muscles stay active and strong. You can even do gardening or walk the dog, play with your grandchildren, or do household chores. You should not let your body stay in one position for too long, as it makes muscles stiff and they start to lose weight.
Set Realistic Goals
Set а goal that suits your body’s current needs, keeping in mind that it’s natural for your physical abilities to change with age. You may not walk as far as you once did—and that’s completely okay. Instead of skipping the walk, go for shorter walks and then try to increase the number of steps slowly.
Stay Social
Surround yourself with friends who enjoy being active—whether it’s running, hiking, or walking the dog. Their energy can help keep you motivated, and you can inspire them in return. And you can also learn to motivate other people in the community. You will also have valuable company to spend time with and will look forward to your activities. If you attend community events in Charlotte, NC, you will find people with shared goals and experiences, making it easier and more fun to stay active together. You can enroll in many activities like Zumba and yoga and stay fit with the friends you make there.
Conclusion
You need to listen to your body’s changing needs if you want to stay active. When your body gives you a signal that it needs rest, you should take a break. When it tells you that an exercise is bringing pain or making the body uneasy, you should replace it with an easier exercise. Putting yourself through pain is not the right way to stay fit. Your body is not the same as some years ago, and it needs a different type of attention, and you should try your best to give it what it wants.
