6 Great Reasons Mature Adults Should Exercise
December 17, 2019 By Kelly Barrett
1. TRAVEL
What is on your bucket list?
Hiking the Inca Trail in Peru? Exploring the art and history of Rome? Cycle tour of Napa Valley? The Great American Road Trip?
Whatever the destination, fitness is key to traveling well. Long drives, carrying a heavy backpack, and stowing luggage can be a challenge if you lack the strength, stamina and mobility.
2. SPORTS AND HOBBIES
What do you love to do?
Whether it is gardening, salsa dancing, hiking, tennis, golf or soccer (which I started playing in my mid-forties), being fit will help ensure you continue the activities that you are passionate about for as long as possible. To do this, you need stamina, power, flexibility, balance and core strength. Regular exercise can help keep you doing the things you love.
3. KIDS/GRANDKIDS
Do you have the privilege of having a child in your life?
We all want to be active and fun parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles. We want to be able to pick up the toddler without hurting our backs, have the mobility, flexibility and strength to get on the floor to play, dance, swim, bike, play frisbee, throw the football in the yard. We all want to enjoy these special relationships and have (pain-free) fun!
4. MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE
We all want to live life on our own terms as long as possible. We want to avoid falls, injuries and illness. We want to keep doing the things we enjoy and live full, active, social lives. Regular exercise will help make this possible!
5. MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
Regular exercise improves brain function, mood, memory, sleep, helps prevent depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. It also supports heart health, bone health, decreases body fat, improves balance, prevents falls, decreases your risk of cancer, stroke and diabetes. Regular exercise adds years to your life!
6. LOOK AND FEEL YOUR BEST
No matter our chronological age, we all want to look and feel as good as possible. And, of course, regular exercise helps with that, too!
