The following were actually a sidebar in a missive from Tufts Health and Nutrition Letter. I thought they constitute a super summary for us folks who want to eat less; move more and live longer. I am very happy to add that I have incorporated a number of these into my lifestyle.
At the risk of sounding like Debbie Downer, I would like to point out that failing to exercise on a regular basis is one of the main causes of seniors falling down. This is because inadequate physical activities often lead to reduced bone mass and flexibility. It also contributes to the loss of your balance and reduced muscle tone. These problems often lead to difficulties in making proper movements, thereby resulting in the fall.
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All forms of physical activity count—not just structured workouts. Here are some ways to add more physical activity to your day:
–Walk rather than drive to destinations you can reach on foot within 10 minutes (which will ensure walking a mile there and back).-Park wherever you first see a space at your destination, instead of driving around to find the closest one.
–Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
–Get up to turn the television on and off or change channels manually rather than using the remote.
–Do stretches and exercises, or pedal a stationary bike, while watching television or listening to the radio.
–Join a walking group in the neighborhood or at the local shopping mall. Recruit a partner for support and encouragement.
-At work, replace a coffee break with a brisk 10-minute walk.
–Cut the grass with a push mower instead of a gas or electric mower.
-When traveling, stroll around the airport, train or bus station instead of sitting.
I see people completing their workout routines and rushing through a few cursory stretches; mainly to appease the trainer, mind elsewhere, in a hurry to get going. Their flexibility does not get any better; they can still barely bend forward to reach for their thighs leave alone their toes, but they see no reason to waste time toiling with “stretches’. They have more important things to do, their cardio, so they can burn an indecent number of calories, push as much weight as they can to gain that well sculpted physique. Flexibility? Yes, well, let’s be done with it as quickly as possible!
