| It's important for people of all ages, | | | | beating. Wear the proper protective equipment |
| especially seniors, to stay active. According | | | | for your activity. If you are biking, wear a |
| to the Centers for Disease Control, being | | | | helmet. If you are inline skating, wear a |
| physically active can reduce your risk of | | | | helmet as well as knee and elbow pads. |
| dying from heart disease and decreases the | | | | Protective gear should be of good quality and |
| risk of colon cancer, diabetes and high blood | | | | fit properly. It may be expensive, but it's |
| pressure. Physical activity also helps | | | | an expense that is well worth it. Watch out |
| control weight:; contributes to healthy | | | | for the elements. If it's hot, exercise in |
| bones, muscles and joints; relieves the pain | | | | the early morning or early evening when it's |
| of arthritis; reduces symptoms of anxiety and | | | | cooler, or stay in the shade and wear light |
| depression; and can devrease the need for | | | | weight clothing. If it's cold, dress in |
| hospitalizations, physician visits and | | | | layers, and be careful of ice and snow. It's |
| medications. Indeed, there's a lot riding on | | | | especially important to stay hydrated when |
| incorporating exercise into your lifestyle. | | | | you are engaging in exercise that makes you |
| There's no better time than now to start | | | | sweat. Drink before, during and after |
| exercising. Be sure to check with your doctor | | | | exercise to prevent dehydration. In addition |
| before increasing your physical activity | | | | to all the other benefits of exercise , the |
| especially if you have a chronic disease or | | | | secret to a sharp mind just might lie in your |
| family history of chronic disease, chest | | | | feet as well! Studies show those who took a |
| pain, shortness of breath, high blood | | | | 30-minute brisk walk three days a week had |
| pressure, asthma, diabetes, blood clots, | | | | sharper memories. This is what scientists |
| infections or fever, joint swelling, hip | | | | refer to as "executive functions". They are |
| surgery or a hernia. Here are some tips to | | | | the ability to plan, organize and juggle |
| help you get started! Don't just jump into a | | | | mental tasks. Similar results exist in |
| fitness routine. First, stretch your arms, | | | | non-depressed individuals. Some mental |
| legs and back. Start off slowly, gradually | | | | decline is associated with normal aging due |
| increasing the pace of your exercise. Don't | | | | to reduced blood flow to the brain . Experts |
| do too much too soon or you will hurt | | | | believe exercise may work by improving |
| yourself. For example, start with 10 minutes | | | | circulation to essential areas. In a study of |
| of walking before going to 20 and then 30 | | | | more than 13,000, the risk of breaking a hip |
| minutes. For a strength-training program | | | | was nearly 30-percent lower among those who |
| using weights and machines, talk to a fitness | | | | take a brisk walk two to four times a week |
| instructor on how much weight to lift and how | | | | than in sedentary individuals. Those who went |
| to use the machines properly. Exercise should | | | | from being moderately or vigorously active to |
| make you feel better, not worse. A little | | | | being sedentary doubled their risk. Talk a |
| soreness, discomfort or fatigue is normal. | | | | walk! A cool down is just as important as a |
| Listen to your body, if you feel light | | | | warm up. Stretch your arms, legs and back to |
| headed, a shortness of breath, a sudden, | | | | bring your heart rate back to its normal |
| severe headache, are sweating excessively, or | | | | level. |
| have pains in the chest, stomach or anywhere | | | | |
| else, you should stop exercising. If symptoms | | | | Steven Johnson is committed to helping people |
| persist, contact your doctor. If you are on | | | | maintain healthy and effective lifestyles. |
| medication or have a condition that alters | | | | For more information on any other health |
| your heart rate, don't use your pulse as a | | | | supplements please visit his website. |
| judge of how fast your heart is or should be | | | | |