How are exercise and anti aging benefits connected? As we age, certain changes in lifestyle and physical fitness are predictable, especially in Western cultures. We tend to become less active and begin to gain weight. The percentage of our body weight attributable to fat increases, while the percentage attributable to muscle decreases. A less active lifestyle results in a decreased ability to use oxygen as well. Though predictable, these changes are avoidable with a commitment to regular exercise - among the anti aging benefits of exercise are the ability to maintain a healthy body weight, physical strength and aerobic fitness long into our senior years. Advice for anti aging exercise varies, with some experts advocating strength training, while others emphasize aerobic exercise or stress the importance of stretching. Many people turn to activities like qigong or yoga for a blend of therapeutic exercise of both body and mind. A combination of activities including all of these things in moderation probably provides the best anti aging benefits. Strength training will keep you strong and decrease your chances of joint or back injury, or muscle strain. Stretching also helps to avoid muscle strain, and increases flexibility. Aerobic exercise reinforces cardiovascular fitness and keeps your joints working. The key to achieving the anti aging benefits of exercise is to exercise regularly. Again, you'll find many different variations of advice on when you should exercise and for how long. You should probably aim for a minimum of an hour of exercise, three to four times a week. If this seems too much at first, start with 15 minutes a day and work up to longer periods. Choose an activity you enjoy: you'll be more likely to stick with it. Perhaps you like swimming, biking, walking or playing tennis. Gardening, raking, and even housework are all good forms of exercise. Walking to the store and taking the stairs instead of the elevator count as well. If the weather's bad, you could use a stationary bicycle and get your exercise while watching the news - there are lots of ways to sneak a little exercise into your day and achieve some anti aging benefits without much effort. Many people are very busy and feel that they don't have time to set aside for exercise. If this is you, think seriously about trying harder to find time: it really is important, and the anti aging benefits of exercise mean that you can look forward to getting it all back and more - in years of good health added on your life. |
