Do you get enough physical activity?

As we age it is important to keep our bodies not only limber, but strong! Getting a regular amount of physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Regular exercise lowers our levels of stress, reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and Alzheimer’s. Yet, how much exercise is enough? According to The American College of Sports Medicine, 150 minutes of moderate activity, three times a week is the perfect amount of physical activity. The best part is that you can break it up for ten minutes at a time! Moderate activities include: walking briskly, climbing flights of stairs, riding a bike or water aerobics.
Strength training coupled with aerobic exercise is also recommended. Strength training helps build muscle mass, helps you lose weight and also increases bone density. The older we get the harder it is for our body to stay strong. By targeting all the major muscle groups at least twice a week through strength exercises, the tougher your body will be! So next time instead of taking the elevator, try to take the stairs, go outside for a brisk walk or lift some light to moderate weights. Make sure to stop by a local YMCA, listed in the OurSeniors.net Directory of Approved Vendors, for a quick workout. They are all dependable, senior-friendly facilities who carry the OurSeniors.net Seal of Approval. Keep your body moving and stay strong!