The Benefits Of Being Active
By Mary O’Keefe, Guest Columnist

Recently, I watched with awe as a man at the gym ran on a treadmill. His pace was quick, his breathing steady and strong. After he finished his workout, I approached him to tell him how impressed I was. I figured he was in his mid-sixties, and the run that he had just completed was impressive at any age. After speaking with him for a while, he introduced himself as Dave and told me his age. Imagine my surprise when he told me—in his own words—that he was “a very young 78.”

Dave is one of many seniors I’ve met at the gym. All of these individuals have something very important in common. They have all managed to ward off the diseases that commonly afflict seniors. My own 76-year-old mother takes in a brisk walk every morning. Her doctor attributes her wonderful health to her daily exercise program, and tells her that working out every day is necessary to ensure a good quality of life, especially as we age.

Experts suggest that 30 minutes of daily exercise can improve overall health. Some of the benefits include: weight control, reduced stress levels, stronger bones, increased energy, a tougher immune system, and relief from arthritis, depression, and insomnia. Exercise can also lower your risk of suffering from heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer.

With the arrival of spring, there’s no better time to get outside and find creative ways to get moving. If you haven’t exercised in a while, it’s not too late to start again. To minimize the risk of injury, it’s important to check with your doctor before beginning any new activity. Your physician will probably be encouraging and can be a helpful support.

Below are some helpful tips to get you motivated:

• Choose an activity that you enjoy. Maybe you take pleasure in walking or dancing; maybe tennis or golf is your thing. Whatever you choose, pick something you like doing, and chances are, you’ll stick with it.
• Don’t do too much too soon. If you’re a beginner start slowly and increase the intensity as time goes by. Begin with short workouts, and before long, you’ll notice your stamina has increased enough for you to do more. Listen to your own body.
• Don’t go it alone. Encourage your friends to join you for daily exercise routines. This will make time go by faster and lessen the chance that you’ll find an excuse not to exercise.
• Consult local senior centers to find out if they know of any elder exercise programs. For those who live in senior housing, try to organize a walking club.

There is no doubt that exercise requires some effort on your part, but the payoff is well worth the work. Before long, you’ll notice an increase in your energy level and you’ll begin to look forward to daily exercise. Not only will you look and feel better, but chances are you’ll live a healthier and more independent life.