Getting Off the Couch!

Dear Linda:

     I used to be a ball of fire, but the older I get, the more sedentary I've become. I'm only 75, but I'm tired and uninterested in doing anything but watch TV. What's happening to me?

Unhappy couch potato

Dear couch potato:

     An inactive lifestyle impacts physical health adversely in four areas-strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. Being sedentary also puts you at risk for a variety of diseases and disabilities.

      Exercise is the prescription for maintaining good health. It improves lung, vessel and heart systems, increases muscle strength and bone density, and keeps the body limber. Those who exercise often look younger, have more energy, sleep better, and have fewer medical visits. They also have a positive attitude, because exercise produces endorphins and relieves depression.

      Begin with a complete physical exam, so other causes of your lethargy can be ruled out. Discuss exercise with your doctor, who can suggest the perfect program for your physical condition. Even small changes in your level of activity can be beneficial, like adding regular gardening, heavier housework, or chasing grandkids. Start slowly, but build to 30-40 minutes at least three times a week.

      Aerobic activity, like walking (with a goal of 10,000 steps daily), swimming, cycling, and dancing, improves overall health and builds stamina, enabling seniors to handle daily tasks and maintain their independence.

     Weight training builds lean body mass and increases strength, (promoting self-reliance), and it jumpstarts metabolism (keeping weight and blood sugar in check). Tai chi and yoga are effective for balance and staying flexible (avoiding falls and injuries).

      Call the National Institute on Aging, 800-222-2225 to order their exercise video with guidebook ($7.00), and visit www.nihseniorhealth.gov for exercises to try and free information.

      Exercise is vital in slowing down and even reversing the impact of the aging process. Greater physical strength is the best medicine for protecting health, staying independent, and keeping that zest for life.