Most people, especially the elderly, tend to slow down during winter, so spring, when nature is waking up again, is the perfect time to get moving again. However, the most experts agree that being active all year round is the key to good health.
Two crucial factors for health in seniors are having a good diet and getting some exercise.
Exercise
People who are over 50 years of age, have a chronic health condition, or have never exercised before, should consult their doctor before starting any workout program.
There is a number of activities that older people may participate in if they want to stay in shape. A simple walk is sometimes all it takes. Malls a very good place for that.
Taking the stairs is an exercise that will engage the muscles needed for keeping balance, especially when rising from a chair.
Many community centers have programs for seniors, like senior aerobics, yoga or swimming. The cardiovascular system will benefit from aerobics, yoga will provide the necessary flexibility and swimming is almost a perfect workout, involving many different muscle groups and improving the stamina.
At an older age, every little bit counts. This means that parking the car further away from the store or church and walking the distance, or finding a dance partner for ballroom dancing or square dancing will certainly make a difference.
Some caution is advised for seniors who work out - shoes should have rubber soles to prevent falling down on slippery grounds, sunscreen should be used if exercising outdoors on a sunny day and drinking plenty of fluids is necessary to restore the fluids lost due to heat and sweating.
Eating habits
As people grow old they need less and less calories and need to eat less, so it is vital that the meals are well-balanced. Meals should include all the important food groups, and they should be focused on whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
A tip for obtaining a balanced meal is to divide the plate into two halves. One should contain vegetables and the other starchy foods like rice, potato and pasta, along with sources of protein like fish or lean meat.
Seniors should have at least three dairy meals a day, preferably skimmed milk and low fat yogurt, because they need calcium and vitamin D to protect their bones.
As for the drinks, elderly should avoid sugary beverages like soda pops and coffee as well and drink more plain water and freshly squeezed juices.
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