We’re sharing a ton of short, useful tidbits about fitness over 50 – fun facts and hacks to make your life easier.
The goal? To show you the overwhelming evidence: If you want to stay healthy, strong and independent, you simply must keep moving.
1. GET OUT: Just being outdoors, especially in green spaces, quickly improves our health and happiness. -- The International Journal of Environmental Health Research
2. HEART STRONG: Weightlifting has a greater effect than running, walking or cycling on lowering the risk of heart disease, according to research in the British Telegraph.
3. HIIT HAPPENS: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is good for everyone "and has even bigger benefits for older adults." -- The Mayo Clinic
4. A GRAND IDEA: “I want primary care physicians to prescribe not only antidepressants but also prescribe a dose of exercise for the treatment of depression.” -- Dr. Madhukar Trivedi
5. FEEL BETTER: Exercise alleviates aches and pains, including low back pain, the second most common cause of disability in the United States.
6. PROTECT YOURSELF: The Alzheimer’s Association says regular cardiovascular exercise can help reduce the risk of getting the disease.
8. YOUR BUTT: The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the body.
9. MIRACLE DRUG: Exercise is good for your bones, muscles, balance, heart, mental health and sleep.
10. SMILE: Maintaining a positive outlook adds years of healthy life.
11. WE’RE HOT: Fitness training for mature adults (over 50) has ranked near the top of global fitness trends the last few years.
12. AT 100: “I do as I feel, and I like to stay active and be around people. I still want to keep moving. If I sat down, I think I’d just give up.” -- Toni Stahl of Kentucky, who worked out regularly at age 100.
13. THINK: Jimmy Hatcher of Georgia prizes the meditative aspect of exercise: “It slows you down and requires you to focus on the moment, not what you need to do later.”
14. HAVE FUN: “Exercising makes me feel good when I’m done, and even when I’m doing it.” -- Sue Heaton of Chicago
15. SPORTS EDGE: Gym workouts give you a competitive edge in golf, tennis, running and other sports.
16. EAT THE RAINBOW: Get five servings of fruit and vegetables a day; it helps to keep a frozen stash.
17. STAY HYDRATED: Don’t wait till you’re thirsty to drink up.
18. REMEMBER: You’re just one workout away from a good mood.
19. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES: “We don’t quit playing because we grow older; we grow older because we quit playing.”
20. JACK LALANNE: “People don't die of old age. They die of inactivity.”
What are some of your favorite morsels about living your best life? Let’s keep this going! We’ll share more later.