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We’re sharing a ton of short, useful tidbits about fitness over 50 – fun facts and hacks to make your life easier.The goal? To show you the overwhelming evidence: If you want to stay healthy, strong and independent, you simply must keep moving.
- GET OUT: Just being outdoors, especially in green spaces, quickly improves our health and happiness. — The International Journal of Environmental Health Research
- HEART STRONG: Weightlifting has a greater effect than running, walking or cycling on lowering the risk of heart disease, according to research in the British Telegraph.
- HIIT HAPPENS: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is good for everyone “and has even bigger benefits for older adults.” — The Mayo Clinic
- A GRAND IDEA: “I want primary care physicians to prescribe not only antidepressants but also prescribe a dose of exercise for the treatment of depression.” — Dr. Madhukar Trivedi
- FEEL BETTER: Exercise alleviates aches and pains, including low back pain, the second most common cause of disability in the United States.
- PROTECT YOURSELF: The Alzheimer’s Association says regular cardiovascular exercise can help reduce the risk of getting the disease.
- BURN FAT: Resistance training burns fat. Think it’s all about cardio? Wrong.
- YOUR BUTT: The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the body.
- MIRACLE DRUG: Exercise is good for your bones, muscles, balance, heart, mental health and sleep.
- SMILE: Maintaining a positive outlook adds years of healthy life.
- WE’RE HOT: Fitness training for mature adults (over 50) has ranked near the top of global fitness trends the last few years.
- AT 100: “I do as I feel, and I like to stay active and be around people. I still want to keep moving. If I sat down, I think I’d just give up.” — Toni Stahl of Kentucky, who worked out regularly at age 100.
- THINK: Jimmy Hatcher of Georgia prizes the meditative aspect of exercise: “It slows you down and requires you to focus on the moment, not what you need to do later.”
- HAVE FUN: “Exercising makes me feel good when I’m done, and even when I’m doing it.” — Sue Heaton of Chicago
- SPORTS EDGE: Gym workouts give you a competitive edge in golf, tennis, running and other sports.
- EAT THE RAINBOW: Get five servings of fruit and vegetables a day; it helps to keep a frozen stash.
- STAY HYDRATED: Don’t wait till you’re thirsty to drink up.
- REMEMBER: You’re just one workout away from a good mood.
- OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES: “We don’t quit playing because we grow older; we grow older because we quit playing.”
- JACK LALANNE: “People don’t die of old age. They die of inactivity.”
What are some of your favorite morsels about living your best life? Let’s keep this going! We’ll share more later.
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Exercise Fights Depression as Well as Therapy, Study Finds
Millions of people struggle with depression, and lots of those take medicine or talk to a therapist for treatment.But did you know physical exercise is just as effective, according to research?“Exercise is an effective treatment for depression, with walking or jogging, yoga, and strength training more effective than other exercises, particularly when intense,” the authors write in The BMJ. “These forms of exercise could be considered alongside psychotherapy and antidepressants as core treatments for depression.“Exercise may be an effective complement or alternative to drugs and psychotherapy.”Depression is a leading cause of disability around the world, the authors write. It lowers life satisfaction more than debt, divorce and diabetes, and worsens comorbidities such as heart disease, anxiety and cancer.The researchers analyzed data from 218 studies on depression and exercise involving some 14,000 people.Previous studies have come to similar conclusions: Exercise is effective against depression. Experts say it should be considered in treatment, along with therapy and anti-depressants.Don’t take your mental health for granted. If you’re having issues, talk to your doctor or counselor. Take this study as further proof of the powerful mind-body connection – and that physical exercise is always good for whatever ails you.And remember to choose exercise that you enjoy. If it’s not fun, you’re less likely to stick with it and gain the most benefits. We are here to help.