My friends who know what’s important to me would tell you that exercise is a critical component of my life. I began to think about it way back in the early 1970s when I decided that when my skin lost its elasticity and began to hang, building muscle would fill out the wrinkles. Well, I’m here to tell you that it works but only partly. Still, fitness is one of the best investments I’ve ever made.
Research is showing that exercise may be able to reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, primarily diseases that afflict older people. Two relatives who are dear to me have both diseases, and their odyssey is very scary. This is where diet, lifestyle adjustments and exercise come in to help mitigate risk.
Exercise is anathema to a lot of people; it’s boring, sweaty and inconvenient, and joining a gym is daunting to some people who are horrified at the prospect of showing off their curves – some in the wrong place. So, what do we do? We walk. Walking is one of the easiest, cheapest low-impact forms of exercise, and it works beautifully. It can help improve heart health and some medical disorders. For me, walking gives me time to reflect and create, solve problems and do some quality thinking. Those who need inspiration can walk with friends. Keep it up, and it gets to be habit-forming. If the scenery on your route gets old, try some of the country’s great hiking trails. Locally, contact your community chamber of commerce and/or tourism bureau, as many feature maps and details on local trails that are rated easy-to-difficult and some that also accommodate the physically challenged. If you’re taking a vacation or weekend getaway, check in US Dept. of Agriculture – National Park Service.
This shows your state’s National Trails System and the National Scenic Trails with maps and details.
We want to hear from you, so feel free to share tips, ideas, and resources for seniors with Grannybooster. Email me, Maris Somerville, at info@grannybooster.com
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