Fitness Myths Seniors Need to Stop Believing
They say age is just a number, and perhaps you believed it until you started feeling your age. One thing that can help with that is keeping up with regular exercise. It’s certainly a challenge to start and even maintain a regular program for exercise, but the rewards make it worth it.
Despite this, many seniors think this is the time to slow down and take it easy. There are many myths out there that contribute to this way of thinking. If you’re of the age where you’re using your senior discount at the store, it’s time to bust these myths about exercise and aging.
Myth 1: Exercise is pointless because I’m old.
Nothing could be further from the truth! Exercise comes in many forms and doing something each day can help you look and feel younger. It also increases your independence. Other things it can help with are reducing your risk for diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and Alzheimer’s, to name a few.
Myth 2: It raises the risk of falling.
The fact is that regular exercise builds your strength and stamina. This helps prevent loss of bone mass and gives you greater balance. So with more exercise, you’re less likely to fall.
Myth 3: I’ll never be like I was in my youth.
While it’s true that age brings on changes in your bone density, muscle mass, hormones, and metabolism, that’s no reason to stop altogether. You can’t get hung up on how you were once a star athlete on your college football team or won a marathon. What you can do now though is set age-appropriate goals. Being sedentary will have a more negative impact on your body than your chronological age.
Myth 4: I can’t start exercising. I’m too old!
It doesn’t matter if it’s been years since you’ve gotten exercise or even if you’ve never done it at all. All you need to remember is to go slow. A little bit of exercise each day goes a long way to your better health.
Myth 5: I’m in a wheelchair so I can’t exercise.
There are Olympians with disabilities that go on to do great things. Don’t let your disability prevent you from getting the exercise your body needs. There are still exercises you can comfortably do even if you’re wheelchair-bound.
Myth 6: I’m in too much pain to exercise.
It may sound counterproductive, but starting exercise now can improve your aches and pains. The key is to work with someone who can show you the right kind of exercises to help you gain more strength and vitality.
Let age be just a number on your driver’s license. Depending on your current mobility, a licensed physiotherapist or a personal trainer can help you get the exercise you need. They can come to your home when it’s convenient for you and show you exactly how to bust these myths with a dose of reality.
Physiotherapist working with elderly patient in clinic
