The most important thing to know is that it is never too late to begin a fitness routine. If you haven’t been exercising and taking care of yourself, start now.  Be sure to talk to your doctor first and start slow.

Exercise is the fountain of youth.

Researchers have found that people who maintain their leg strength have less age-related cognitive decline and have better mortality rates. Adults over 65 can delay the loss of independence by as much as 10-12 years with progressive aerobic training (i.e. cardio). And people with a slower gait speed are more likely to die than their faster walking counterparts.

For some, a fall can be a death sentence.

20% of older adults who break a hip (95% of which happen as a result of a fall) die within 1 year. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men will experience a hip fracture. Falls cause more than 32,000 deaths each year in the US (more than 4 times the number caused by drowning and fires combined). 41% of falls are caused by incorrect weight shifting, excessive sway during standing, or missteps during walking, not due to slips and trips.  Exercise has been shown to reduce the incidence of falls by up to 40%.

What kills the body also kills the brain.

2/3 of people over 65 are overweight. Obesity doubles the risk of dementia and increases the risk of depression and diabetes. Diabetes triples the risk of heart disease, which increases the risk of Alzheimer’s. Only 40% of Alzheimer’s patients have the gene for it. The majority of people with this disease are not genetically predisposed for it. This means environment and lifestyle are bigger predictors than genes. Heart disease kills 600,000 people per year (that’s 1 in 4 deaths). Risk factors for heart disease are: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, overweight and obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol use. These are all preventable and manageable with exercise, diet, and lifestyle.

Exercise to the rescue.

Active adults over 65 are 50% less likely to suffer from dementia. Exercise slows amyloid plaque build-up and prevents inflammation, both associated with Alzheimer’s. Exercising a little as twice per week reduces risk of dementia by 50%. And exercise effectively treats Parkinson’s by increasing dopamine.

For you in your 60’s and beyond, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are vitally important. It’s never been an option, but now the stakes are really high. We’re talking life or death, independence or assisted living, staying involved or missing out. Maintaining your fitness, your strength, and your cardiorespiratory endurance, will help you to live a long, happy, fulfilling, independent life.

Alicia Cross is a Certified Personal Trainer, Wellness Coach, and Yoga Instructor with more than 15 years’ experience working with clients in classes and one-on-one.  She is a yogi, meditator, vegan, and lifter of heavy things. If you’re ready to discover the strength and peace that comes from within, email Alicia@AliciaCrossTraining.com.