Fitness At Any Age: No More Excuses

Fitness Old

Have You Been Putting Off Getting Fit?

Now is the time to start focusing on ways to be healthy and stop worrying about getting older. Even if you haven't thought about exercising in the past, the time is now to consider a fitness routine. The benefits of exercise and fitness are supported by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

According to the HealthyPeople.gov, an agency connected to the US Department of Human Services, 80% of adults do not meet the basic guidelines for exercise and muscle strengthening. The Center on Aging supports these findings.

It's important to realize that even if you have neglected your fitness activities, it's not too late to start.

Here are some stories of women who are defying the aging process by incorporating fitness into their lives. Their stories will inspire you with a “can do" attitude.

Looking At Aging Differently: A Dramatic Shift

Recent studies indicate that the focus on fitness is changing. This shift is changing the landscape of how we look at health and wellness. We have grown accustomed to the mantra that 40 is the new 20. Recently we are hearing a new mantra -- that 70 is the new 50. Examples of health at any age are appearing in health magazines and the media.

Take, for example, Ernestine Shepard, who at 78 years old is the world's oldest female body builder in the United States. Ernestine began working out in her mid-fifties. Other examples of aging gracefully are Daphne Selfe, who at 86 years old is the oldest runway model. Meet Betty Jean McHugh, who at 85 years old took the record for oldest marathoner in 2005. These women believe that you can remain fit at any age.

Your age should never hinder you from accomplishing your goals.

-Ernestine Shepard

Let's explore some basics as you begin your journey

Are you ready?

Health & Fitness: The Basics

First find an exercise that you will stick with. Research indicates that even walking 10 minutes a day is a positive step.

Drink plenty of water. When we hydrate our bodies, they work better. It is often said that feelings of hunger may more likely be due to the body being dehydrated.

Increase your diet with fresh fruits and veggies. Give the body what it needs to do its best job.

Always get adequate sleep. Sleep is essential for a healthy mind and body.

Positive thoughts and emotions pave the road to fitness success.

Age is Only a Number

Live by the mantra that age is just a number, and youth is a state of mind.

The time is now to focus on fitness; you deserve it and your body will love you for it.

Let's put age aside, live life with more vitality, and decrease our chances of developing chronic diseases. Aging gracefully is within our reach; we just need to take those first few steps!

Your journey towards a healthier and fitter YOU, starts now!

Show me how to get started now!

2/5/2018 8:00:00 AM
Carolyn Lepore-Duke
Carolyn Lepore-Duke is a Registered Nurse, Educator and Certified Fitness Practitioner. She holds a Masters degree in health and wellness. Other interests include writing for health magazines and guest speaking on health topics.Carolyn is a student of Yoga and Ballet. She currently resides in Northern California.
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Comments
Hi SH,

I am sorry for the problems you are having with your back. One thing I want to mention is to be careful about getting advice. Everyone has an opinion and advice, but unless the person is a qualified professional that knows your medical history, it really amounts to someone's opinion.What works for someone may not work for another.

If you can't find the information you are seeking in this website, you might try the following
Check out Dr. Stuart McGill who is the Director of the University of Waterloo. He is an expert on the spine. He has a website and some information on U Tube. Look for one of the videos under Waterloo's Dr. Spine Stuart McGill.
Hopefully you will find the right information to support your path to improve your health.
Posted by Carolyn Lepore-Duke
I have a bulging disc (L4, L5) and experience excruciating pain at times. Just the right or I should say wrong movement makes it feel like the meat is being ripped off the bone on the inside of my thigh on my left leg. This is cause by the nerve being pinched in my spine. The only help is to hang on my inversion table until the pain stops. It takes a lot of effort to do that because of not being able to bend over and unlock the foot device to get on it. I can not walk even a short distance without my back hurting but I can ride my bicycle but do not because of the fear of that pain. While it is happening I want to cut my throat to get relief. But as soon as the pain is gone I feel better of course. I have almost called an ambulance several times for help. I live alone. Is there a surgery to fix this problem. My doctor just does cortisone injections every 3 months but I understand that can cause me problems in the long run. Any advice?
Posted by SH
At 65 I had a spinal fusion. Then I started walking. I gradually worked up to hours of walking. I restarted daily yoga and started Taekwondo the next year and slowly expanded my workout. I quit working with weights but I started an exercise program called Warrior X-Fit (free on the web) with resistance bands and have continued with it. At 70 I started Kung Fu San Soo. During all of this I took it slowly so I could gradually build up my strength and endurance. I just earned my first degree in Taekwondo and am testing for brown belt in Kung Fu San Soo this month. I have, amazingly, been getting stronger. I am actually building muscle and muscle tone at this age. I am truly in better shape, am stronger, and am healthier than at 50. Life is great!
Posted by Rich W

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