Getting and staying physically fit is a popular trend among all ages right now, especially with the younger generations. Many older adults are trying to take better care of their health too, but many may not know how or if they can become and stay physically active as they continue to age.
The good news is that anyone at any age can be physically active— as long as their body allows them to do so. Here are four ways that you can remain physically active throughout the years later in life.
#1: Start by Getting Active Now
If you want to be able to stay active later in life, the best advice is start becoming more active now. When you’re younger, your joints and bones are still strong and regular physical activity will help keep them strong as you get older. The most common way that younger people get active is by joining a gym or taking a walk or jog through a nearby park every morning. However, thanks to technology, it’s possible to workout from anywhere— even the comfort of your own home.
If you’re older and haven’t worked out in years, or ever, you can still start by getting active now. It’s never too late to start getting physically active, and it’s a lot easier to get started than you may think.
#2: Look into Recreational Activities
Many of your favorite activities or hobbies are great ways for you to stay active. Physical activity is something that gets you active, while exercise is a structured physical activity that is repetitive. Examples of physical activity that may not seem like it are:
- Fishing
- Gardening
- Housework
- Walking
- Yard work
Many older individuals already engaged in one or more of these activities, and they are a great way to keep you physically active. Another way to remain active is by making more conscious choices to do so. An example would be taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking your car a farther distance than you normally would. Physical activity doesn’t have to mean a structured exercise routine— you can fit it into your daily routine.
#3: Eat Healthy to Gain More Energy
What you put into your body is just as important as what you do to it. For example, the human body needs carbohydrates and some fat for energy, and muscles need protein. Eating correctly can give you the most out of your workouts, and it can also give you the energy to get physically active in general.
Carbs, fats, and proteins (the macronutrients) are just one piece of the nutrition puzzle— you also need vitamins and minerals (micronutrients). The body needs water-soluble vitamins (B vitamins and vitamin C) in larger amounts than fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), and almost all vitamins work synergistically with certain minerals for optimal function. An example is the vitamin D and calcium combination, which both play an important role in bone health.
#4: Be Realistic About What Your Body Can Do
Don’t try to “make up for lost time” and overexert yourself— especially if you’re not physically active to begin with. You should take small, realistic steps to becoming more physically active, even if it means taking the stairs instead of the elevator. For individuals who can no longer leave their home and/or receive domiciliary care, light physical activity in the home is a good way for them to remain active.
Both eating healthy and staying active is important for a good quality of life in the later years. Many individuals who end up in nursing homes in their later years do so because they didn’t take the best care of themselves when they were younger. Unfortunately, this can lead to mistreatment in nursing homes since patients with less mobility are more likely to be victims of nursing home abuse.
As long as your body can move in some way, it’s not too late to start getting physically active. The sooner you start, the better, but don’t start by trying to run a marathon or by lifting your entire body weight. Even walking for five minutes a day is better than remaining sedentary, and you can build on this by lengthening the time when you feel you’re ready. Also, don’t forget to eat healthy— in order to have the energy to become more physically active, you must feed your body the nutrients it needs to be active.
Getting and staying physically fit is a popular trend among all ages right now, especially with the younger generations. Many older adults are trying to take better care of their health too, but many may not know how or if they can become and stay physically active as they continue to age.
The good news is that anyone at any age can be physically active— as long as their body allows them to do so. Here are four ways that you can remain physically active throughout the years later in life.
#1: Start by Getting Active Now
If you want to be able to stay active later in life, the best advice is start becoming more active now. When you’re younger, your joints and bones are still strong and regular physical activity will help keep them strong as you get older. The most common way that younger people get active is by joining a gym or taking a walk or jog through a nearby park every morning. However, thanks to technology, it’s possible to workout from anywhere— even the comfort of your own home.
If you’re older and haven’t worked out in years, or ever, you can still start by getting active now. It’s never too late to start getting physically active, and it’s a lot easier to get started than you may think.
#2: Look into Recreational Activities
Many of your favorite activities or hobbies are great ways for you to stay active. Physical activity is something that gets you active, while exercise is a structured physical activity that is repetitive. Examples of physical activity that may not seem like it are:
- Fishing
- Gardening
- Housework
- Walking
- Yard work
Many older individuals already engaged in one or more of these activities, and they are a great way to keep you physically active. Another way to remain active is by making more conscious choices to do so. An example would be taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking your car a farther distance than you normally would. Physical activity doesn’t have to mean a structured exercise routine— you can fit it into your daily routine.
#3: Eat Healthy to Gain More Energy
What you put into your body is just as important as what you do to it. For example, the human body needs carbohydrates and some fat for energy, and muscles need protein. Eating correctly can give you the most out of your workouts, and it can also give you the energy to get physically active in general.
Carbs, fats, and proteins (the macronutrients) are just one piece of the nutrition puzzle— you also need vitamins and minerals (micronutrients). The body needs water-soluble vitamins (B vitamins and vitamin C) in larger amounts than fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), and almost all vitamins work synergistically with certain minerals for optimal function. An example is the vitamin D and calcium combination, which both play an important role in bone health.
#4: Be Realistic About What Your Body Can Do
Don’t try to “make up for lost time” and overexert yourself— especially if you’re not physically active to begin with. You should take small, realistic steps to becoming more physically active, even if it means taking the stairs instead of the elevator. For individuals who can no longer leave their home and/or receive domiciliary care, light physical activity in the home is a good way for them to remain active.
Both eating healthy and staying active is important for a good quality of life in the later years. Many individuals who end up in nursing homes in their later years do so because they didn’t take the best care of themselves when they were younger. Unfortunately, this can lead to mistreatment in nursing homes since patients with less mobility are more likely to be victims of nursing home abuse.
As long as your body can move in some way, it’s not too late to start getting physically active. The sooner you start, the better, but don’t start by trying to run a marathon or by lifting your entire body weight. Even walking for five minutes a day is better than remaining sedentary, and you can build on this by lengthening the time when you feel you’re ready. Also, don’t forget to eat healthy— in order to have the energy to become more physically active, you must feed your body the nutrients it needs to be active.
