Happy New Year! At this time of year, many people make health resolutions, especially concerning exercise.
So why do plans start well then peter out as weeks and months pass by? Choosing the wrong exercise, not having a schedule, lack of commitment, unrealistic goals, missing encouragement can be contributing reasons for failure. For instance, if you dislike competitive sports, then tennis may not be for you; if you have limited time, mastering new Yoga, Tai-Chi, Pilates techniques may not be appealing, if you are not a health club type of person, a gym membership may be a waste of money.
In my new book, Retirement: The Ultimate Life Journey, I write about the need of pre-and post-retirees taking control of their wellness, to not only improve quality of life but also to reduce the amount of money paid out in medical costs.
Regular exercise is a major contributor to overall wellness. Unfortunately, in both Canada and the USA, adults over the age of 50 don’t get enough exercise:
- Statistics Canada found 27.8% of Canadians aged 50-64 get limited exercise
- 27.5% of Americans 50 and over reported no physical activity outside of work
Action Steps for Physical Wellness Success:
- Choose an exercise you enjoy. (i.e. walking, swimming, bicycling, aerobics, etc.)
- Create a schedule which fits your lifestyle
- Share your training targets and weight goals with your doctor
- Track your goals and progress. Remember to establish ‘stretch’ goals
- Keep a record of results – shows progress and acts as a motivational tool
- Make your exercise regime a priority
- Inform family members, friends and acquaintances of your goals and progress. Ask for encouragement.
When building my exercise program, I had a physical therapist create a program to address not only my overall fitness but also to provide back pain comfort. I joined a gym and now attend five times a week. Not only have I bult up endurance and strength which has increased my stamina and relieved my back pain, I really enjoy the camaraderie of my gym mates. My mates provide encouragement, conversation and fun.
For information on Health and Wellbeing Strategies including physical fitness, diet and nutrition, mental health, and self-directed exercises, read Retirement: The Ultimate Life Journey.