Most of us don't want to exercise. Wait, I take that back - I do! Okay, yes, I'm weird and proud of it, which makes me even more weird. We have to like who we are, and that is something I always strive for. Exercise wakes up my body and allows me to know I am alive and everything is working. We all know with age, our parts wear out. I am not going to bore you or make you feel guilty about not exercising. I am suggesting we start small - stretching.
Stretching is a must. Remember waking up in the morning, opening up your chest and carefully stretching both arms out? When you think about it, it is really a beautiful movement, almost like a ballet stance. Whether you like to dance, don't like to dance, or think you should never dance because you are not coordinated, dancing is a great way to get exercise. Being a dancer myself, I don't need a reason to dance. When music moves me, my body responds.
If you are always on the go or a sedentary personality, stretching is something we can all do every day taking only minutes. The older we get the stiffer and less flexible our joints become. That's where stretching will keep them healthier. Find stretches that help the low back, knees, arms, legs and even feet. Always start slowly and never bounce when you stretch. Stretching the feet might sound foreign to some. Standing on the edge of stairs, and lifting up (counting to a minimum of 30) does a couple things: it's good to strengthen calves and makes the muscles in the feet stronger. Your calves will burn toward the end, and you will need to walk it off. Seniors often fall because of weak musculature in the feet.
One thing I found to help with stretches is a book on Yoga, it's a favorite. Unfortunately, for years I stayed away from yoga, thinking I had to get into Buddhism and chant om! Don't make the same mistake I did. Books and libraries excite me and take me away. But you can also go to the web. By the way, this book has great photos of poses, simple explanations, and is very easy to read. "Discover Yoga" Top That Publishing, 2005. You can get all the same exercises if you research it on the web. Find some stretches that appeal to you and make a choice to be more physically fit!
Thank you, good night and God Bless! Aleta
"Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing." Redd Foxx - African-American comedian and actor
No comments:
Post a Comment