Did you know taking walks can be very useful to help you keep fit and maintain your health? As with every fitness activity or exercise, it’s better if you can build a walking regimen to help you lead an active and healthy lifestyle. It’s also recommended for older adults to consult with their doctors regarding the fitness regime so as to not overexert the body. Start slow and progressively to prevent any occurrences of injuries. Here is a guide on a walking routine for seniors to keep active.
Before you Start Your Walking Exercise
As previously mentioned, it’s important to first get the go-ahead from your local doctor about the type of exercise that’s suitable. It’s especially crucial if you or a loved one don’t exercise regularly or haven’t exercised in a long time. Doing something too strenuous may cause more harm than good. Doctors can assist in selecting the suitable activities to match the current health and fitness needs, or even refer to an exercise professional for proper guidance.
Some useful questions to ask your doctor can include:
- How can I exercise safely with diabetes, cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure?
- Are there exercises I should avoid or can’t do?
- How to increase the intensity of my exercise?
What You’ll Need During Your Walk
Once you or a loved one is ready to go on your walk, you need to ensure you have the right shoes for walking. For most, fitting sneakers are comfortable enough. However, if you have foot problems, it’s best to consult a podiatrist about the most suitable footwear or your doctor to help with the persisting issue.
If you or a loved one needs the use of a walker or a cane to move about, don’t worry about it either! Rather, they are extremely useful in maintaining balance and can help reduce the stress on the joints during the walks. You can even ask your doctor or a physiotherapist for advice, should you not wish to use a walker or a cane to move about. Other forms of walking aids can be feasible depending on the situation. Seek the advice from a professional to make sure they are properly maintained and are of the right fit before using.
Walk with Friends or in Groups
Walking alone can be a bore, we get it! So, invite a friend or a family member to go on a walk together, whether it’s at a local park or a hiking trail. The many benefits vary and can include:
- Building and improving relationships with friends or family
- Enhance safety
- Makes exercise more enjoyable
Enjoy your Retirement with TerraBella Southern Pines
If you or your loved one love participating in a wide variety of organized activities and programs, then making the move to a retirement community could be ideal! At TerraBella Southern Pines, our exclusive senior living options specially cater towards assisted living and memory care for our residents. We have a myriad of events and social activities planned daily to provide our residents with many options to enrich their lives after retirement. Whether it’s health and fitness classes, movies, in-house worship services to live performances, we have all you need here! Talk to us today!
