Getting Fit: The Senior Exercise Edition

As the pool is closing for the season, it’s time to ramp up the exercise routine for the fall. What’s worked for me is tabata and strength training. It’s a nice mix which I sometimes combine, but often do separately.

With an older body, not making excuses here, there are some quirks that need attention. First, I have physical challenges, including arthritis, bursitis and fibromyalgia, among some other thing. When planning my routines, I have to concentrate on ways to help me manage these without feeling the need to give up. Not a quitter, it’s in my gene pool, I am determined to accomplish goals. This brings me to a list of pointers to help with planning for my workout. Disclaimer: These are things that help me and I take no responsibility for your experience with them.

1. Be reasonable by making challenges within your ability while still pushing yourself

2. Remember this is for you and you are not competing with anybody else.

3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

4. If you are trying to lose weight be cautious about eating your exercise burning calories – there’s a balance in there and you will find it with practice – also good to note is that if you eat food that is high calorie, you are not likely to burn it off with reasonable exercise. Ask your doctor for a guide how much to consume in balance with exercise.

5. Use an app to help. I use MyFitnessPal, but I have a routine so it’s hard to veer away. I like that you can log your exercise along with eating, but mostly, I focus on the eating.

6. Consult your doctor before starting exercise. Mine is one of the best cheerleaders who looks at my weight. She also tells me nice things like how she wish she had more patients like me. I can’t help, though, but feel bad for the other patients.

7. Find music and/or videos to help you with exercise. I downloaded Spotify and use their Tabata music, complete with timers and even exercise suggestions. There are some great videos on YouTube including Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Walking and pretty much exercise for any age groups.

8. Senior Centers and other community centers have exercise programs. Where I live there is a city booklet where you can find programs at reasonable pricing and there are even ways to get fee adjustments for those who cannot afford the whole program pricing. There may be community pools open year round.

9. Socializing while exercising is a great way to get your move on and catch up with friends. Joining walking groups or enlisting friends to join in walking are great ways to get your move on. Meetup often has groups with this focus.

10. Don’t overdo it. I cannot stress this enough that you have to listen to your body. Exercise should not bring pain, true pain. Aching may happen, but pain is not good and is a sign to STOP. I have had times when I started exercising and had to stop in five minutes. When you have bad pain days, you have them and it’s time to do something else to take care of you. Maybe a warm soak or hot tea or something in the relaxation realm. Relaxation should be a natural part of your daily routine. What goes on in the mind goes on in the body.

Now, you may have read this list and thought it’s just like any other list you have read. If you got this far, which I hope you did, there is one last and most important thing: YOU GOT THIS!!

Just a little side note: I am not endorsing any of the programs or apps mentioned in this post, these are just some things that have worked for me.