Getting Fit After 50 is Easier Than You Think
Cheryl McDonald
| 2 min read
It’s time for Michigan’s aging baby boomers and older generations to get up and get fit.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent State of Aging and Health in America 2007 (pdf) report, Michigan ranked 23rd in the U.S. for the number of residents over 50 who reported devoting no time to physical activity during the month preceding the data collection. This is a ranking where we should strive to be in last place!
An excerpt:
The aging of the U.S. population is one of the major public health challenges we face in the 21st century. One of CDC’s highest priorities as the nation’s health protection agency is to increase the number of older adults who live longer, high-quality, productive, and independent lives.
The National Institutes of Health recently launched a fitness campaign for people 50 and older. The campaign stresses the continuing importance of physical activity as we age. Research shows that people can increase muscle mass, and improve flexibility and balance at any age.
You can get started today with the National Institutes for Health’s Go4Life program. Get your free printout, booklet or video of Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from The National Institute on Aging. The guide offers:
- How-to tips to help you start safely, even if you’ve never exercised before
- Easy-to-follow directions for exercises to increase your strength, improve balance, become more flexible and increase endurance
- Ways to test your progress
- Personal stories to inspire you
So, next time you’re tempted to tell your grandkids, “Back when I was your age, I walked three miles to school every day,” maybe you’ll be able to get up and show them how!
Can you suggest things to do with your grandkids that will keep you physically active? Any tips for getting fit on your own?
Photo credit: Christiana Care
