Posts Tagged ‘regular physical activity’

When it comes to getting the physical activity you need each week, it’s important to pick activities you enjoy and that match your abilities. This will help ensure that you stick with them.

Things to Keep in Mind

* Regular physical activity is still safe and beneficial even if you have problems doing normal daily activities, such as climbing stairs or walking.
* If you have to take a break from your regular workout routine due to an illness such as the flu, be sure to start again at a lower level and slowly work back up to your usual level of activity.
* To get to and stay at a healthy weight, start by doing the equivalent of 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity each week.  Keep in mind that you may need to do more activity or reduce the number of calories you eat to get to your desired weight.

Improving Your Balance

Balance training
Check with your local senior center to see if they offer balance training or tai chi classes.

Are you at risk for falling because you’ve fallen in the past or have trouble walking? Older adults who are at risk for falling should do exercises that help them with balance. Try to do balance training on at least 3 days a week and do standardized exercises from a program that’s been proven to reduce falls. These exercises might include backward walking, sideways walking, heel walking, toe walking, and practicing standing from a sitting position. Tai chi, a form of martial arts developed in China, may also help with balance.

What if you have a chronic condition?

If you have a health condition such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease it doesn’t mean you can’t be active. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Regular physical activity can improve your quality of life and even reduce your risk of developing other conditions.

Talk with your doctor to find out if your health condition limits, in any way, your ability to be active. Then, work with your doctor to come up with a physical activity plan that matches your abilities. If your condition stops you from meeting the minimum guidelines, try to do as much as you can. What’s important is that you avoid being inactive. Even 60 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity is good for you.

What if you have a disability?

If you are an older adult with a disability, regular physical activity can provide you with important health benefits, like a stronger heart, lungs and muscles, improved mental health and a better ability to do everyday tasks. It’s best to talk with your health care provider before you begin a physical activity routine. Try to get advice from a professional with experience in physical activity and disability. They can tell you more about the amounts and types of physical activity that are appropriate for you and your abilities.

When to Check With Your Doctor

Doing activity that requires moderate effort is safe for most people, but if you have a health condition such as heart disease, arthritis, or diabetes be sure to talk with your doctor about the types and amounts of physical activity that are right for you.

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About the Author:
Joe Jackson is a Deals Specialist at GoodBuyNow.com (http://www.goodbuynow.com).  GoodBuyNow.com has all the best deals from across the web.  Visit our Deals section and you can save 30% or more on all your favorite products.
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Tags: chi classes, workout routine, moderate intensity, regular physical activity, balance training

Foods That Will Help You Age Gracefully
The Anti-aging Code © 2010
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These days, most people are obsessed at keeping their youthful looks.  While some go out and do it the natural way, others visit the doctors to erase the wrinkles off their faces.  Delaying the aging process, as what most people would call it, is the name of the game.  Everybody’s trying to swipe the years off by eliminating the wrinkles and the crow’s feet.
However, the signs of aging extend beyond the concept of crinkles, lines and rumples on the facial skin.  Osteoporosis, decreased brain functions, memory loss and other age-related illnesses are just among the debilitating effects of advanced age.  
To reduce the risk of these age-related chronic diseases, it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle.  For starters, it would be wise to watch what you eat.  While we’re on the subject, do away with excessive eating.  Keep everything in moderation. 
In addition to having a proper diet, it is also important to engage in a regular physical activity.  It is not necessary that you hit the gym and lift weights.  Just do something that makes you sweat.  More importantly, pick one that you enjoy doing.  Thus, if you like to take a dip in the pool, swimming can be your exercise.  
Also, get enough sleep every night.  Ideally, spend six to eight hours in the sack every night.  
As much as possible, minimize alcohol intake.  But maximize your water intake.  Drink around eight glasses of water everyday.  Also, avoid tobacco and other nicotine products.  We all know smoking is bad for our health, and it also speeds up our aging process.  Notice how chronic smokers have plenty of wrinkles on their faces.
Picking the right foods is the key to delaying the aging process.  The sooner you start on a healthy diet, the greater the rewards will be.  
It’s worthy to note that as we age, we become susceptible to oxidative stress.  Eventually, free radicals build up as our bodies age; thus, causing inflammation and oxidative stress.
To combat this impact, it is best to eat foods that contain “phytonutrients.”  These powerful antioxidants eat up the free radicals; thus, reducing the risk of heart diseases, osteoporosis and cancer.
Avoid foods rich in fatty acids and sugar because they can spike up the aging process.  Instead, eat fish, fruits and vegetables.
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The Anti-aging Code is an informationpack designed to educate thoseinterested in making their skin lookand feel soft, increasing their vitalityand energy, and extending theirlife spans.
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Thanks for reading and I wish you all the success!
Johnfox© 2003-2010 World Marketing Media, Inc.

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About the Author:
Johnfox© 2003-2010 World Marketing Media, Inc
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Tags: lift weights, regular physical activity, free radicals, brain functions, nicotine products