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Staying fit and healthy should be one of the key goals for all people. When you are physically fit, you will enjoy several health benefits, such as having lower blood pressure (which can help protect you against various cardiovascular disorders in later life), better sleep quality, and more positive mental.
It is vital to ensure that you take regular exercise throughout your adult life to maintain strong bones and muscles along with supporting a healthy immune system. However, as people age, they may enjoy exercise less frequently and may start to adopt a less healthy lifestyle. While it is common to experience a more sedentary pace of life as a senior citizen, taking meaningful steps to stay in shape is still vitally important. This article provides some key advice on how to achieve this as a person who is entering the later stages of life.
Join a Gym for Seniors
One of the best ways to stay physically fit and maintain a healthy weight is by going to a gym regularly. Sticking to a plan of exercise that includes a mix of strength-based exercises and endurance training will ensure that your muscles and heart stay strong, and you keep the highest possible level of mobility. However, many senior citizens do not like the idea of going to a gym that younger adults mainly use. They may feel self-conscious and apprehensive about visiting such an establishment as it may feel intimidating. Thankfully, there are now a range of gyms specifically run to cater for older adults, such as at https://55fitness.com/fitness-and-wellness-programs/. At these fitness centers, the members are typically 55 or over. This is ideal, as it helps to create more of a community spirit, where older people and senior citizens can workout together at a more relaxed pace. As you will be in an environment with people of a broadly similar age, you may find it easier to make friends at the gym. In addition, professional fitness staff will be able to advise on a fitness plan that suits your age and general health needs.
Enjoy a High-Protein Diet
As people age, there is a natural loss of muscle mass in the body. This process starts as early as the age of 30, and it is estimated that from this point you will lose between 3% to 5% of total muscle mass per decade. This can become problematic when you become a senior citizen as lower levels of muscle mass can increase the likelihood of suffering from falls and may lead to a decline in general mobility. Thankfully, you can take steps to rectify this. It is vitally important to enjoy a diet that is high in protein as you enter your senior years. Eating lean meat such as chicken and enjoying fish regularly can boost your protein levels. Avoid red meats as these tend to have higher levels of saturated fats. Eggs and skimmed milk are also a good source of protein. Ideally, you will aim to cook fresh and enjoy a balanced diet with protein-rich meal choices. Making home-cooked meals can be a pleasure and will help ensure that your diet is free of processed ingredients, lower in salt, and lower levels of saturated fats.
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