Physical fitness is a tough nut to crack at any age, and it gets even more difficult as you approach your twilight years. Especially if you are used to a sedentary lifestyle, getting your limbs to work can be even more of a challenge. Old age also comes with many unwanted disorders, aches, and pains that may hold you back from getting up and about. However, they are more of a reason to get moving. Remaining fit not only eases your pains and illnesses but is also a mood booster and stress reliever. So, if you believe you have missed your chance to have a healthy lifestyle, think again! You can still turn the tables, regardless of age or physical condition. To help you achieve the feat, here are some tips for you.
1. Undergo a Medical Screening Before Starting an Exercise Program:
Aging comes with many health complications you may or may not know. To safely start your workout journey, undergo pre-exercise screening. It will help you identify health problems that might intensify during physical activity. For instance, if your occupation has exposed you to asbestos, the leading cause of mesothelioma, undergo screening to rule out the risk of this cancer.
For example, if you live in Maryland, it is quite likely you have been exposed to this carcinogen, as this state is home to many shipyards and other job sites harboring asbestos. If the screening results do not go in your favor, there is so much more you can still do, from adopting a healthy lifestyle to filing a lawsuit against the negligent party. If that is the case for you, search for the best mesothelioma lawyers in Maryland to sort out the legal matters and get financial compensation. From chemotherapy to tips on routine exercises, healthcare professionals will help you with a way out.
This medical check-up is a filter or a safety net that will help you determine if the potential benefits of that specific exercise outweigh the risks. Avoid embarking on an intense exercise journey such as cardio which might stimulate chest pain and leave you short of breath. A careful selection of daily exercises will keep you physically fit and can also prevent diseases from spreading.
2. Take a Gradual Start:
If you have exercised before, you can attest to the fatigue and discomfort it brings at the start. It takes time for your body to get attuned to the daily drill. If you are not used to it, be cautious about overstepping your limits. Overdoing yourself will cause discomfort and pain that might discourage you from continuing your sessions. The key is to start slowly, build your stamina and fitness levels, and let yourself rest from time to time. Listen to the call of your body and know where to stop. So instead of being directly immersed in an intense exercise, take one step at a time, and you will slowly but surely reach your goal.
3. Complement Your Workout with Healthy Eating Habits:
Feeling low on energy is not uncommon as you age. But the good news is that you ward it off with a balanced diet! If you have spent your youth with careless eating habits and think it is too late to mend your ways, wait till you experience the transformation yourself. As an aged person, a healthy diet holds more importance for your body than a young one’s.
Fueling your body with the required nutrients is essential to support your activity levels throughout the day. Failing to do so will make you lousy and unfit to continue your daily workout. When it comes to choosing a suitable diet, it is not as simple as preferring vegetables over junk food. You will need to intake suitable nutrients at the right time of the day. Get off to a healthy start and replenish your blood sugar levels to kick-start your muscles and brain. Especially if there is a workout session on your routine chart, skipping breakfast can make you lightheaded and dizzy. Take the right amount of carbs and pack the right balance of proteins in your diet to get yourself going. Also, do not forget the time! It is as important as the meal itself. For instance, try to have your pre-workout meal 2-3 hours before you start. If that is not feasible, you can go for decent and healthy but light snacks.
4. Choose the Right Combination of Exercises:
Whether your motive for exercise is to relieve pain, manage weight, or have general health benefits, you must choose an exercise you can do day in and day out. Whether it is an activity you enjoy or that fits your lifestyle, ensure that it addresses all aspects of physical fitness, i.e., muscle strength, aerobic fitness, flexibility, endurance, and body balance. For instance, you can do yoga or stretching for flexibility, weightlifting for strength, and walking or jogging for aerobic fitness and endurance. While you are at it, ensure that you do not include an activity that might exacerbate any medical condition you might be carrying.
5. Stay Motivated:
All your efforts will go to waste if you lose motivation mid-way. For your actions to bear fruit, get yourself fired up for the task at hand. Whether these are the health benefits that may rekindle your workout commitment or music that gets you through those last reps, find a motivation that stimulates you to work. Avoid setting hard and fast rules for your workout routine, as you will unknowingly talk yourself out of doing it. Instead, consider going easy on yourself. You can also reward yourself after achieving little milestones or do a friendly competition to keep yourself engaged in the task. Also, make friends at the gym or park you will look forward to meeting every day. These motivations will keep you going around each day.
Conclusion:
Aging is a ruthless process that will rob you of your agility if you let it have its way. Staying active can slow down this process and preserve your physical and mental well-being. While starting a new routine at a late age can be difficult, setting realistic objectives and staying motivated can help you maintain a fitness program for a longer time. It will be easy to work for your physical fitness once you cozy up to the concept that it has as many benefits for you in store as for any youth. So, increase your longevity and add some life to your years by keeping your health intact.
