Fitness Tips for Older Adults


Unfortunately, nothing can be done to slow the march of Father Time, but just because our age creeps up does not mean that our body fat level has to as well. Staying fit can be more difficult as we age because we have less of that natural energy and our metabolism has slowed down exponentially, making it more difficult to keep the pounds off.

But just because you have some grey in your hair does not mean that you can’t stay physically active and keep in the best shape that you can. Physical fitness becomes especially important when you are older, and your body needs more fine-tuning than it may have in previous years.

Here are a few helpful fitness tips for the more seasoned among us.

Minor Soreness Is Okay

Aches and pains after the first few times you work out may seem troubling, but they are definitely normal. That’s your body’s way of telling you that what you’re doing is working because it is getting something it is not used to getting.

As you push through those first few workouts, you will see an improvement in your overall strength, endurance, and flexibility and will feel better about yourself physically. Pushing yourself also keeps you from stagnating while working out, an important step in the process.

Be Smart

While soreness is okay, it is important to listen to your body. Persistent pain means your body definitely does not like what you are doing and you run the risk of injuring yourself during the workout. Pushing yourself is okay, but listen to your body and know your limitations.

Getting physically active is great but if you work to the point of injury, you leave yourself open to major setbacks and unfortunate effects on your body. Be smart.

It Is Not a Competition

A common mistake is comparing yourself to others at the gym. Just because someone else may be at a more advanced stage than you does not mean that what you are doing is wrong or bad. Keep focused on your own goals instead of worrying about what others are doing.

Not only can it be easy to get untracked when comparing yourself to others but it can increase your risk of injury. If you are pushing yourself harder because of someone else at the gym, this can lead you into workouts that your body can’t handle and you run the risk of really hurting yourself.

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