Tips Seniors Who Have Not Exercised In Years
So your interest in exercise and fitness has been rekindled after many years on the sidelines. That’s great! However, things are unlikely to be just the same as you left them. Age comes with changes, which must be reflected in the way you work out, and eat.
One of the main reasons that it is important to consider certain issues when getting back to working out after some time is to prevent injury. While your mind may remember you pumping hard-core aerobics moves for an hour, your body may not be so quick to agree to this type of grueling workout.
Fear not, it is still not difficult to get in the best shape of your life (many people still do achieve fitness surpassing their youth). You are likely to have more time on your hands, the key pre-requisite to success.
Follow the tips below, and you’ll be in tip-top shape in no time!
Start Moving More
The path back to exercise needs not be drastic or deterring. In fact, simple things such as walking more, climbing stairs (if no joint issues present) and sitting less in front of the TV can pave the way for a successful comeback. Remember, exercise takes many forms; you may just not realize it.
Take It Slow
Improving your health takes time. There is no rush (nor is it possible) to lose 10lbs overnight, or drop your blood pressure back to normal levels immediately, but instead, focus on consistency. Start exercising with as much as is comfortable, and increase work done weekly, even if just by a bit. If you go for a walk around the park once weekly, then go around twice. You’ll soon be able to walk around twice, every day of the week!
Set Realistic Goals
As mentioned in the tip before, you need to take it slow. In the process, set small, attainable goals for yourself. It’s no use to set a 10 lap run during your first week, when you know this just is not possible at your current level of fitness. Setting too ambitious goals will inevitably set you up for failure, and break any motivation in the process.
Record Your Workouts
Writing down workouts is an extremely effective, yet largely unutilized technique that helps keep you accountable, and progressing in a workout. If, or when you decide to resume training in a gym, a “log book” as it is called will become an important part of your training arsenal, since you can easily record what you’ve done, and refer back to it next week to maintain progression.
Make It A Social Encounter
We get it- working out alone can be boring. Then why not bring along a few friends, or family members? Working out in groups not only keeps you motivated, but can be a great way to just burn time and even offer support and guidance.
Consistency Is Key
Don’t be one of those New Year’s Revolution-ers who jumps on the exercise bandwagon for exactly ONE MONTH, only to vanish completely by February of the same year.
In fact, why not start now?
This way, not only will you have a leg up on everyone else who starts in the New Year, but also because the best time to start is now and by the time the New Year rolls around, your health can improve significantly.
Know Your Limits
You know your body better than anyone else (hopefully!), so who better to say when you’ve had enough? Enough will be relative to each person, so while your neighbor may be able to walk 2 miles in their first try, you may not be able to do the same.
Don’t let it discourage you, but rather use it as motivation. Make it your goal to eventually reach that level, and then move to the next level as your fitness improves.
Do This For You
You may have neglected yourself for many, many years and focused all your time on taking care of kids and spouses. Now, it’s time to take care of you. Starting (resuming) an exercise routine will reduce the impact of accelerated aging, keep your joints and heart healthy, and be a real mood booster.
Conclusion
Starting back is easy. There is no reason why you can’t start today, by incorporating even just one tip mentioned above. Now have fun, and be healthy!
