A few months into the coronavirus crisis, we have learned and been reminded of so much important information about fitness after 50.
If it helps to find a silver lining, I’ll share 10 things that have come up or that I’ve been reminded of since all this started – and hopefully help you to draw inspiration from them to carry on with a healthy lifestyle.
1 – We’ve got to keep moving, even if our options have changed.
2 – A simple way to do that: Stop sitting so much.
3 – Remember 150. World and Canadian standards say most adults need 150 minutes of moderately vigorous aerobic activity a week, plus at least two sessions of resistance training.
4 – Everyone can, in fact, adapt easily with technology. How many times have we been told that “older” people are afraid of technology? We have seen how false that is, as so many of our members quickly started working out via Zoom or other online video services.
5 – Walking is great for everybody – and every mind and spirit, too. Have you noticed how the bike trails and sidewalks are busier than ever with people out getting a walk? It’s good for energy levels, endurance, mood and creativity, too. As Thoreau said, “The moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.”
6 – We crave the connections that exercise provides. Being a part of a community is important to maintaining good exercise and nutrition habits. Throughout the lockdown, we all had to spend more time at home, of course, but gyms and studios still helped us maintain our social bonds through online workouts and other activities. Now that they have re-opened, many folks are realizing just how important those bonds are to them!
7 – We’re reading more – whether it’s “bucket list” classics, nonfiction about pandemics and social issues, or fun “beach reads” to escape. Reading improves our memory, brain function, and decision-making abilities. It reduces stress and helps us fall asleep.
8 – We’re practicing yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi more than ever – great practices for body AND mind!
9 – We’re focusing on broader wellness. We’ve been forcefully reminded that our wellbeing involves more than physical exercise. It also encompasses emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual health, among other aspects.
10- Fitness isn’t merely possible during this time – it’s necessary for better living. Keeping your body and mind as healthy as possible helps you to cope with the stress of the world we are living in today. We have to keep moving if we hope to thrive!
-Shelley Turk (Functional Aging Specialist and Owner of ProActive Fitness)