Why is it the cartoon has it right? We do this, make excuses that we’re too old or to weak to get in shape. This is where you need to get off the bus that’s headed down Failure Street! There is no biological clock that says you can not lose fat as you age. Sometimes, I find small changes yield big results quicker than when I was younger.
It’s true, we get to be “comfortable in our own skin,” but that mode of thinking can hinder your desire to lose those love handles or that bulging belly. Before you know it depression and negative thinking get in the way, and by mid March the diet is out the door and the Twinkies are back in the cabinet!
Getting Started
You may be like many who ask, “Where do I start? What Can I eat?” Personally, I recommend cutting out sugar! Sugar is the enemy to your overall health. Start reading the labels on what you do eat. Is there sugar? Limit your intake, or opt for no sugar products. Artificial sweeteners are hazardous to your body. Eat real foods including protein, natural fats and vegetables. Low-carb is my preferred way to eat healthy. There is a good guide for low-carb lifestyle complete with what to eat!
Don’t think for a second that added insulin will take care of the added sugar! Stop it! Make some real changes and treat your body well.
The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends.
There are many health issues and factors that creep up on us as we age that can cause “hiccups” in our plans to get “fit” like:
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Thyroid Disease / Failure / Slowed levels
- Heart issues / High Blood Pressure
- Medications
- Retirement
- Depression
- Money Issues
Lack of mobility and bad eating habits can bring on some of the mentioned factors and health issues. Sure, it is harder to move with arthritis and sore joints, but the more you move, the more you can move!
Check out this video below to Exercise for Sore joints and Arthritis in your hips. Lack of flexibility and mobilty in the hips can be detrimental to your posture. When you can’t even stand up straight you can guarantee your hips are super tight. This, in my opinion is one of the first set of muscles to loosen up before you begin any exercise routine. The straighter you can stand, the better you can move without injury.
So do you need to get in shape to exercise? Well, the better you stretch before you begin an exercise routine, the less chance of injury or overworked muscles.
Life well lived is about quality more than how many squats or heavy weights you can lift. As we age, those abs being flat are less important if you can’t stand up straight. Work on those deep, core muscles as you go and the results from your workouts will be much more effective.
For a Free Fat Loss DVD, check out what Dr. K has for you. Dr. Kareem Samhouri is a Doctor of Physical Therapy & Kinesiologist. Want to address your aging issues? He has an Anti-Aging DVD Free as well! I love his direct, life changing exercises approach!
Flexibility plays the most important role in our aging ability to stay in shape. If you suffer from arthritis, or stiff joints one of the most valuable things you can do for your health is work on flexibility. Start slow if you are very stiff. What can you do about it?
5 Basic Deep Stretches for Increased Flexibility
- Exercise as simple as bending at the waist and letting your body weight and gravity pull you downward can benefit your flexibility tremendously. Aim to touch the floor, no jerking motion, no bobbing up and down with “herky jerky” movements. Just hang, and relax. Let gravity do the work. Count to 30–
- Stand feet shoulder width apart, reach for the sky, high, now higher to get the full stretch and bend to your left as far as you can without bending forward while your left hand rests on your hip. Right hand reaching as far over, not forward to the left. Hold 30 count, relax and let gravity keep slowly stretching those muscles till you can reach no further. Now do the other side. Count to 30 again–
- Stand feet shoulder width apart, straight and tall, hands out to the side like a “T”. Twist at the waist so your upper torso rotates slowly to the left and behind as far as you can, hold, while continuing to reach further and further to the left. Reach and Hold to get a full stretch 30 seconds. Now switch sides and do this again while reaching right and behind, 30 seconds.
- Stand feet shoulder width apart, straight and tall, hands out to the side like a “T” and add stretching your neck by looking as far to the left as you can, slowly, relaxed, but continue trying to turn your head as far left as you can. Get a good full stretch, 15-20 seconds, and switch to other side turning head right. Get a good full stretch, 15-20 seconds.
- Work on those hip flexors by stretching your hips with the video example. For starters, do the first exercise by lying on your back , feet propped and cross one foot over the knee. Give the crossed knee a good push to slowly stretch the hip flexor muscle. Switch sides and give it another good stretch. Stretch slow and easy, without pain to prevent injury. Hold for 30 seconds, each side.
I hope this has been encouraging to you. Aging and the “problems” associated with it don’t have to put a stop to your exercise. Work on your eating habits and flexibility every day. Eight minutes can be a turning point to better health!