Best Fitness Activity Walking may be the best fitness activity for many seniors given the relatively low physical risks and the enormous long-term health benefits. Thinking safety first will reduce the risk of often preventable foot and ankle injuries and ailments that could lead to inactivity, and prohibit many seniors from realizing the tremendous benefits of walking.
Getting Started We recommend setting appropriate and realistic goals, pacing oneself, choosing an appropriate and "like-able" activity, and paying attention to what the body, including the feet, reveals. Drinking fluids on hot days or during very strenuous activities
to avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion is vitally important.
Prevents Heart Disease Researchers compared walking, vigorous exercise and total physical activity with the incidence of coronary artery events (heart attack or death from heart disease) in 72,488 healthy female nurses. Data collected over the eight-year study revealed that three hours of brisk walking per week comparable to 1.5 hours of jogging, cycling, heavy gardening or heavy housework) in reducing the risk of coronary events.
Keeps The Heart Strong Walking also help keep the heart strong and the body trim and healthy. It
stimulates the mind as it alerts the mind to the beauty and variety of the world around us. It assists in keeping one active and thus feeling healthy and invigorated. So try a walk or a hike today and get started to better health.
Walking Tips:
- Keep your head erect.
- Straighten your back.
- Point your toes forward.
- Swing your arms loosely.
- Wear cushioned, comfortable shoes.
- Don't race. Keep a comfortable pace.
- Walk with a friend or wear a headset for music.
- In bad weather, consider a morning mall walkers group.
- Make walking part of your daily routine.
- Find new routes.
- Set reasonable goals to increase time or distance.
* Note: Image(s) by the courtsey of http://www.dreamstime.com.