Friday, May 15, 2009

Middle-Age Fitness Made Simple

By Thong M. Dao

There is without a doubt that fitness over 40 is a matter of discussion in most doctors' offices, social groups and between friends. People may sound off as they can no longer climb stairs due to tender knees.

You may hear of a friend with heart disease or raised cholesterol, or an acquaintance may have been diagnosed with diabetes or elevated blood pressure.

Fitness programs are a good way to relax yourself and have a less stressful life with a lot less diseases. Increasing physical fitness levels help to build up muscle strength which in turn supports joints and helps lower arthritis-related pains.

Sadly, only 40% of individuals in the US get the suggested amount of exercise and 75 percent are sedentary. This statistical data is gradually increasing as is the number of those who are suffering stress induced illnesses such as cardiac disease, strokes, increased cholesterol levels, raised blood pressure, and blood sugar disorders such as diabetes.

Fitness over 40 programs should not be limited to the gymnasium; it needs to become a life style. Remember any physical activity that raises your coronary rate and breathing for at least thirty minutes at a time is a worthwhile work out. There are several things you can do to get fit such as taking a 30 min walk outside or getting on a treadmill, a bicycle ride, rowing a boat, using one of those work out balls or if you dare, try a trampoline.

To start an over-forty fitness program, you should address and think about changing your habits including nutrition and diet.

Including extra fruits, whole grains and vegetables into your diet is an essential part of anyone's fitness over 40 plan. You may possibly achieve from assistance of a weight consultant who can guide you one step at a time to a life style change in the way you are eating.

Your health can be improved greatly if you work to get 5 - 7 servings of fruits and veggies a day, drink ample amounts of water and cut white flour from your diet.

Besides the importance of exercise, get your nutrition and your diet right in order to improve your health. Cardio and strength training are important components of any program designed for people over forty.

Physical exercise that improves the cardiovascular system includes bicycling, jogging, walking, swimming, jumping rope, and using a trampoline or exercise ball. You'll have a better time and stick with it longer if you vary your training and work out with friends.

Should you do the strength training aspect of a program, you should skip a day before performing it again - as an example, if you do it on Monday you should not do it again until Wednesday.

Two to three days per week, strength training can be done at home with hand weights or at the gym. Not only will strength training improve your figure, it will also increase the strength of your joints and diminish your chances of getting osteoporosis.

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