Smart Senior: Senior Health and Fitness: Do You Really Need To ...

I don?t think my mother ever exercised a day in her life.? My older sisters had theories about exercise too, but none of them were positive or particularly enlightened. ??That doesn?t mean that they were lazy or even what we call couch potatoes today.? They were just busy and active women of a certain age.? Exercising wasn?t the ?in? thing to do when they were young women.?? Men and women were expected to work hard, both physically and mentally, and they scoffed at the idea that planned exercise had any merit. ?The gym was only for body builders or the elite few.

What about your family??? When you mention the ?E? word to others in your family, do they think it is a good idea, or do they roll their eyes at you? ??Should you be exercising?? Of course you know the answer to that.? People are living longer now, and good health doesn?t just happen.

So, what are you waiting for?? Are you waiting for a sign?? If you have reached 60 or 70 or even 80, the signs are there.? I mean, it is happening to me, and I have been in full denial for as long as I can remember.

• Look at yourself.? Look at the older people in your neighborhood.? What do you see??? Are you shorter than used to be??? Are you standing up as straight and tall as you once did?? Are your shoulders squared back or are they rounded and slumped?? Do you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders??? Do you still stride confidently along when you go for a walk or do your hips feel tight and stiff? ?Your feet probably hurt too. ?Be honest now.

• Do you get a teensy bit short of breath when you have to climb a flight of stairs or run for a bus?? How fast can you run or jog without feeling breathles?
• Is it harder to get in and out of your low slung car or your favorite easy chair?

• Do you have to turn all the way around to look over your shoulder when backing up or changing lanes when driving?

• Do you stiffen up when you sit in the car or an airplane seat for any length of time?

• Have you ever lost your balance when pulling on a sock nearly fallen when putting on a pair of slacks while balancing on one leg?

• Are you tripping or almost losing your balance more often than you used too?

I exercise regularly and still have to answer yes to most of these questions.? It isn?t fair. ?I can well imagine what it would be like if I weren?t trying so hard.? Posture, strength, balance, flexibility and endurance are all issues that figure in to how well you can, and will be able to, perform your activities of daily living.? If you are feeling even a little bit uneasy about any of your capabilities, it is time to get help.? Undoubtedly your doctor and your physical therapist will recommend a vigorous exercise program.

Source: http://lmb.typepad.com/smart_senior/2012/07/senior-health-and-fitness-do-you-really-need-to-exercise.html

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