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Benefits of Exercise

Once you are in your 50's, all those bad lifestyle choices you made previously come home to roost. The Benefits of Exercise are wide ranging and for some, life saving.

When you are in your 20s, 30s and even into your 40s, you can have a sense that you are invincible. Strong, healthy, striding through life. So it comes as a horrible shock in your 50s that suddenly your body starts to call TIME.

This is where the benefits of exercise come into play, because even if you made a lot of bad lifestyle choices in the past, for the most part, the damage those choices have caused can be reversed or at least slowed down.

The two biggest medical issues for people over 50 are Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease. Both start to show up big time in this age group, even if you had no previous hint or knowledge of a genetic pre-disposition.

Both are linked to lifestyle, meaning diet and exercise, and the impact of both diseases can be changed dramatically with regular exercise and an improved diet. And that's just the start.



MAKE THE TIME

The biggest single reason people give for not exercising is time. They don't have the time to do the 30 minutes of exercise a day needed to maintain their basic health.

It's vital you find this time because it has a direct bearing on your future well being.

It can be 3 ten minute walks.

It can be one 30 minute walk in the morning or in the evening or during your lunch hour if you work.

It can be an exercise class or a swim aerobics class or a fun tennis game with your girlfriend, or

a bike ride with the kids but find this time. Every day.

Because the benefits are staggering.


BENEFITS MEASURED

  • Depression Exercise is as effective on depression as medication and social contact. Walking, jogging, weightlifting, stationary bicycle have all been found to make an impact on mood.

  • Bone Strength Long term exercise can help make bones stronger which is a vital outcome for a segment of the population vulnerable to osteoporosis (That's YOU). Exercise can increase bone density and improve muscle strength, which will prevent falls.

  • Type 2 Diabetes For those with pre-diabetes, a recent study showed those able to exercise for 150 minutes a week and reduce their body weight by 5-7% reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%. Even once diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, exercise can prolong your pancreas function and minimise your requirements for medication. This in turn will minimise the consequences of the disease on the rest of your health, which can be substantial.

  • Cardiovascular Disease Those who are physically active are half as likely to die from cardiovascular disease. Even if you already have symptoms, regular exercise will lower your risk and will improve your blood pressure and blood lipids.

  • Cancer For the fellows, those who evercise moderately to vigorously 30-60 minutes a day can cut their risk of colon cancer by 30-40%. For women, that level of exercise during and after menopause can reduce their risk of breast cancer, although by how much is still in debate.

  • Beautuful Skin Enough with the bonnie badvibes on diseases...your skin will improve out of site. Impurities will be expelled, the blood will circulate and plump the skin and you will have a rosy glow in your cheeks!

  • Look and Feel GREAT Enough said surely? You will increase your energy level. You will be happier. You will be healthier and you will look it.

    Are you a boomer looking to improve fitness? Find your boomers guide to fun and fitness through cycling at www.bicycle-riding-for-boomers.com


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