Exercise is Great at Any Age

Good news! Numerous scientific studies confirm that exercise benefits everyone – regardless of age. Exercise can help you take charge of your health and maintain the level of fitness necessary for an active, independent lifestyle. This booklet is designed to help you start a fitness program of exercise so you can maintain or improve your physical health.

Many people think that as we age, we tend to slow down and do less; that physical decline is an inevitable consequence of aging. For the most part, this is not true. According to The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, much of the physical frailty attributed to aging is actually the result of inactivity, disease, or poor nutrition.

The good news is – many problems can be helped or even reversed by leading a healthy lifestyle. One of the major benefits of regular physical activity is protection against heart disease. Physical activity also provides some protection against other chronic diseases such as adult-onset diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, certain cancers, osteoporosis and depression. In addition, research has proven that exercise can ease tension and reduce the amount of stress you feel.

To put it simply – exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health.

The exercise program described and illustrated on the following pages has been prepared specifically for you! It is a daily routine that takes 20 to 30 minutes. Take a minute to read the instructions carefully. Performing each exercise properly is as important as spending enough time on them.

You Are What You Eat

No matter what your age, a balanced, nutritious diet is essential to good health. Older adults need to eat a balanced diet with foods from all the food groups. Eating a variety of foods helps ensure adequate levels of vitamins and minerals in the body. Many experts suggest that adults reduce the saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar in the foods they eat.

Some adults find they have problems being overweight as they age. This is generally due to overeating and inactivity. If you are overweight, the quickest way to lose body fat is to eat fewer calories, especially from saturated fats, and to get more aerobic exercise.