They say that age doesn’t matter unless you’re a cheese. This is true for a select few who refer to themselves as “young at heart”. What does this term mean you ask? Well, in its simplest form, it means that seniors who believe that even though their outside appearance may look old, they are young and fit on the inside.
Have fun but don’t be foolish
While an upbeat attitude is great, don’t confuse this positivity with bravado. Be honest about what activities your body can do easily without excessive strain or resulting in injury. Be realistic about exercises or routines that you haven’t tried before and ensure that you do these new routines properly.
Always do exercise under the provision of a professional. The gym is the perfect place to do this as you can exercise safe in the knowledge that should something happen, you will receive the best treatment and attention. A gym at a retirement village can also provide great support and allow you to train with like-minded individuals.
Alternatively, call on the help of a personal trainer who will be able to tell you exactly what exercises you need to include in your daily plan. Personal trainers will also be able to monitor your health and fitness as well as your progress. If you have battle wounds or have previously undergone medical operations it may be best to seek the assistance of a Physiotherapist, who is best suited to make recommendations on the needed exercise regime to be followed.
Don’t be afraid to try something new or challenge yourself. Again, just keep your health in check and don’t overdo the exercise.
Mental stability
A large portion of exercise and training success is based on mental strength and stability. Often times we talk ourselves out of training – at an older age this is particularly important as a number of factors may play on your mind, such as:
- Inadequacy
- Inability to keep up with the younger generation
- Fear of injury
- Inability to train as hard
While all of these thoughts are important considerations, often it is just a state of mind. Practising mental health is just as important as physical health.
A Change of Scenery
Many people prefer to retire in smaller towns or relocate to the seaside. The unassuming town of Camberley, for example, has much to offer those planning their retirement and looking for a more settled, healthier kind of living both spiritually and physically. Known for its mammoth amount of Pines trees, which is said to contribute towards its healthier air, the county of Camberley may be just the place to start over. This is especially true if you’re looking for a fresh start and want to completely change your state of health. With a close knit and active sports driven community, this may be just the place to start your clean slate as you grow older or retire. Should the time arrive for you to make the transition to a residential care home, Randell House Care Home amongst others is located in this vicinity and is known for its superior medical support.
80% eating, 20% activity
If relocating wasn’t on your list of things to do to improve your health and develop the balance that healthy living entails. Shift your focus to the more basic things, like keeping fit and eating properly.
Finding the balance
80% of a healthy lifestyle lies in the food we consume. Old age is a particularly important time to consume foods rich in nutrients that will not only provide vitamins, irons and minerals that you require daily but also the needed fuel for the activities that your “young at heart” body wants to embark upon.
Always consult a doctor before exercising or changing your diet as the diet you ate when you were younger may not necessarily be the one you can enjoy when you are older. As we age, our bodies require more or less of the various food groups and it’s a good idea to be educated on what these foods are.
Whether you reside in your own home or find yourself enjoying your retirement in a residential care home, always remember the importance of living a balanced life, they say you are what you eat and this is true, but your diet alone will not increase your longevity. Focusing on finding the balance between diet, exercise and mental stimulation is of utmost importance.
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