One sure way to live life as healthily as possible is to exercise routinely. It can though be a daunting decision to make, especially if it has been a number of years since you last exercised routinely. At steupphysio we are here to help and encourage you introduce regular exercise to your life, so that you can reap the most benefit as you age. Before you get started, though, we would like to take you through the following list to ensure that you exercise safely.
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Check with your Doctor and Physiotherapist to see if there are any activities you should avoid and also if there are activities that would particularly suit you. Visit your Doctor to get clearance before starting any exercise regime.
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Ease the pace. If it has been a while since you were active, going full pace may be harmful. Instead, build up the pace of your exercise program little by little at each session and help prevent injury and muscle stiffness by warming up, cooling down, and drinking plenty of water.
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Set a schedule over at least 21 days so that regular exercise becomes habit, and force yourself to stick with it. To make the task easier and more fun, make sure the exercise activities you choose are something you enjoy.
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Focus on short–term goals (to stay motivated). By focusing on short term goals (and achieving them) it will be much easier to stay motivated to exercise regularly.
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If it doesn’t feel right…stop. Exercise should never hurt significantly or make you feel bad. Stop exercising immediately if you develop chest pain, feel dizzy or short of breath, break out in a cold sweat, or experience significant pain. Listen to your body.
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Be Mindful. Instead of zoning out when you exercise, pay attention to your body and focus on how it feels as you exercise — for example, your breathing rhythm, the way your feet strike the ground, your muscles flexing — you’ll improve your physical condition it will help you relieve stress and anxiety.
Exercising regularly may not feel natural at first, but the longer you stick with your regular exercise routine, the more you’ll come to enjoy it. Then, once you start reaping benefits and noticing changes in the way you feel, it will become much easier to stay motivated.
Until that point, don’t view exercise as a chore. One of the best ways to achieve this is to make it pleasurable by doing activities that you enjoy. Some activities that suit older adults include:
· Walking.
· Senior fitness classes
· Senior Sports
· Yoga
· Tai Chi
If you can, find an exercise buddy, someone whose company you really enjoy, and exercise with them. It will help you maintain the exercise routine, keep motivated and give you the benefit of spending more time with a good friend.
If you are looking to exercise regularly, talk to your physiotherapist at Life Force Physio for some guidance and encouragement.
