Everyone should exercise regularly. It helps maintain a healthy weight, elevates your mood, prevents illness and keeps you strong and supple.
To keep exercise as a regular part of your life, it needs to be enjoyable, or you will find excuses not to do it! Exercise also needs to evolve. What suited you ideally in your 20’s or 30’s, may no longer be practical or indeed sensible!
Firstly, do you have any conditions that you need to take into account? If you have a lower limb or back injury, a high impact activity (running or jumping) may not longer be possible.
Walking is a wonderful option – you can be out in the fresh air, all you need is a comfortable outfit and pair of shoes and it can be really social – walking with a friend if doubly beneficial because you can share your thoughts or feelings at the same time, and encourage each other.
When you are walking, keep it brisk – you should be slightly out of breath, but able to keep up a conversation. Remember to keep your stomach in (pretend your pants are a size too small), your shoulders back and your head up. Find a route that includes a few small hills and challenge yourself to up your pace.
Cycling requires a little more investment, but bikes have become so diverse, there are plenty of options. Whether you are interested in road biking, exploring more off road tracks or cruising, there is a bike for every occasion. Ask your local bike shop for advice and remember to always wear a helmet and obey the road rules – cyclists will always come off second best in a collision!
If you are lucky enough to live near the water, you can swim, kayak, paddle board to sail – and the environment is wonderful for the soul!
If your mobility is impaired, be creative. Seek out classes or trainers who can help. Some fitness centres with pools offer water based or chair based exercise classes (sometimes in heated pools for arthritic clients). A personal trainer will often train small groups as well as individuals – that is a good way to spread the cost and commit to an exercise programme.
Bowling, golf, dancing, tennis and hiking are all ways of combining exercise and socialising. Clubs are always searching for new members. Take a friend if you feel apprehensive, but you be pleasantly surprised with how welcoming most people are.
Start today – find an activity that is fun and stimulating and enjoy the whole-body benefits of a regular exercise programme!