Importance of exercise at ANY AGE!

"I'm a lost cause, I haven't exercised in years."

"Me? I'm way too old to exercise.” “My back hurts… knees are killing me… I'm too fat… too skinny… too tired… too weak… not strong enough."  I've personally had enough, but the list continues.

The truth is, none of these excuses give you the right to say you should or do not need to exercise.  Exercise at any age has been proven to help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, resting heart rate, arthritis symptoms, body fat percentage, risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke....should I continue? 

There is no better time to exercise than now, for anyone!  With all of the proven benefits of participating in a regular exercise program and all the proven negative consequences of abstaining from one, it is difficult for me to understand why more people are not in the gym!  The majority of people whose lives have consisted of healthy eating habits and regular exercise or physical activity of any kind have been enjoying the fruits of their labor for years, and those who have not (for the most part, not everyone) have suffered some of the negative consequences.

As an exercise physiologist with experience in physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation, I have unfortunately seen firsthand the consequences of living a life without overall wellness.  Through exercise, I have been able to help individuals, ages ranging from twenty-four to over ninety (Yes, over ninety) reap the rewards of a regular exercise program even if they have never exercised before in their life.  I witnessed a seventy-four year old cardiac patient go from being completely dependent on a walker for mobility, graduate from the 9 week exercise program feeling strong, confident and happy that he did not need his walker any longer!  In all of these positions, including the one I am in now, I have seen weight, gait and postural issues cause orthopedic and muscular problems causing moderate to severe pain and dysfunction. Most of these problems could have been prevented if proper exercise routines and eating habits were practiced in the past but can fortunately be reversed by incorporating proper exercise and nutrition in one's lifestlye at any age.

I am just trying to get the word out about how I KNOW exercise is something that all can and should begin and then maintain throughout their lives.  As you have seen on television commercials, on the radio, in magazines, books and now from my mouth (or fingertips), exercise is an essential activity that can give you the healthier lifestyle you desire.  Whether it be shedding those unwanted pounds, building strength to carry groceries in from the car or pick up your grandchild, endurance to be able to walk through the supermarket or up and down the stairs in your home, increased energy to get through the workday, or a pleased physician during your next physical, exercise and proper nutrition is the solution.

 I sincerely hope that I have not offended anyone with this blog post and hope that many of the people have enjoyed the material that I have included.  I will continue each week with a different topic, this was just my introduction.  I will be posting healthy recipes, different exercise routines, fun and healthy events and just about anything that I can find that people of our community should know and will enjoy.

 Be well!

 GEN4