Wiregrass Seniors Magazine January 2019 JANUARY ISSUE | Page 16

Page 16
WiregrassSeniorsMagazine.com
Exercise Tips :
For Us Seniors
What If You Hate To Exercise? Tips for Starting and Maintaing a new Fitness Adventure!
If you dread working out, you’re not alone. Most Americans find it very difficult to start and maintain an
exercise program. But you don't have to exercise until you’re soaked in sweat or every muscle aches
to make a big difference to your health. We want you to think about this process little differently than
your other attempts at starting a new routine. Instead, think about activities that you enjoy and how you
can incorporate them into an exercise routine:
Listen to music or an audiobook while lifting weights.
Window shopping while walking laps at the mall.
Get competitive while playing tennis.
Take photographs on a nature hike.
Meet new people at a yoga class or fitness center.
Watch a favorite movie or TV show while on the treadmill.
Instead of chatting with a friend over coffee, chat while walking, stretching, or strength training.
Walk the golf course instead of using a cart.
Walk or play fetch with a dog. If you don’t own a dog, offer to take a neighbor’s dog for a walk or
volunteer at a pet shelter or rescue group.
Go for a run, walk, or cycle when you’re feeling stressed—see how much better you feel after-
wards.
Find an exercise buddy, someone whose company you really enjoy, and try activities you’ve never
tried before—you may find something you love. At worst, you've spent time with a good friend.
Tips for staying motivated
It’s easy to become discouraged when illness, injury, or changes in the weather interrupt your routine
and seem to set you back to square one. But there are ways to stay motivated when life’s challenges
get in the way:
Focus on short-term goals, such as improving your mood and energy levels and reducing stress, rather
than goals such as weight loss, which can take longer to achieve.
Reward yourself when you successfully complete a workout, reach a new fitness goal, or simply show
up on a day when you were tempted to ditch your activity plans. Choose something you look forward
to, but don’t allow yourself to do until after exercising, such as having a hot bath or a favorite cup of
coffee.
Keep a log. Writing down your activities in an exercise journal not only holds you accountable, but is
also a reminder of your accomplishments.
Get support. When you work out with a friend or family member, you can encourage and motivate each
other.