Exercise It’s a Part of Life, a Part of Health

The older you get, the more reason you should exercise. Just 30 minutes of exercise can have a tremendous affect on your well-being and can even help you sleep better.

Anyone, regardless of age, can participate in some form of exercise. It doesn't have to be a vigorous activity, causing you to breathe and sweat hard. You simply need to be involved in an activity that causes you to breathe harder than normal.

As we age, we lose 20% to 40% of our muscle. After the age of 40, we loose approximately 1% of our muscle per year. Along with loosing our muscle, we loose the strength of our muscle. If we are involved in an activity that aids us in retaining our muscle we tend to have more strength and endurance. This can assist us in our lives in many ways including something as simple as getting in and out of a chair without assistance.

Our muscles will be stronger and perhaps prevent an injury as a result of a fall. Also, endurance activities can help prevent or delay many of the diseases that seem to come with the aging process.

What type exercise do you need? Any exercise that you enjoy doing can be incorporated into your everyday life. If you enjoy doing it, chances are you will stay on track and continue exercising daily. One example would be a brisk walk. A brisk walk is not only good exercise it also is an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors. The sunshine and fresh air are enlightening and can make you feel more positive the entire day. If the weather is bad on your walking day, you can walk in the local mall. Many malls have walking groups that use their facilities for exercise several days per week.

Many people enjoy bicycle riding. Providing you have a safe place in which to ride, the bicycle can be an excellent form of exercise. If you live close to a grocery store, instead of driving the car if you need an item or two, the bicycle may be an alternative. The bicycle can be your transportation for visiting friends that live close. The bicycle not only provides exercise; it is an alternative mode of transportation.

Vacuuming or cleaning house is a form of exercise. Cleaning house can help keep you in shape. Using the weed eater or hedge clipping is another form of exercise. Raking leaves or sweeping the driveway is a very good form of exercise. Any activity that causes you to breathe harder than normal is a form of aerobic exercise. As long as you can carry on a conversation comfortably while engaging in the exercise it is normally safe to continue.

Exercise can be a personally rewarding experience, especially if done with a friend or relative. Not only do you get to work on improving your health you also have the benefit of good company and pleasant conversation. Exercising can also have a calming effect.

With any exercise it is always best to start slowly and build up to where you want your exercise level to be. It is always advisable to discuss your exercise plans with your physician prior to starting. If you start an exercise program, stay on it. Choose what you like and make it part of your life. Consistency is the key.

Exercise -- a great way to feel good about yourself!