Page 24 - March - 2025 ST

Mind Matters
Over 50, Over 60… ver 50, Over 60…
O
and Working Out!!orking Out!!
and W
Your fitness mantra should read
as: I will not let age change me I
will change the way I age, writes
Dr Monika Dass
You Need Exercise Now More Than Ever:
Let us face it: A 50 or 60-year-old body
is not the same as a 20-year-old one. You
will not be able to do the same things, nor
should you. But exercise is key to your
independence and a good quality of life as
you age. What do you need to think about
to be healthy without hurting yourself?
Exercise Helps You: You lose muscle mass
as you get older, and exercise can help you
rebuild it. Muscles also burn more calories
than fat, even at rest, which will offset your
slowing metabolism. Exercise helps stop,
delay, and sometimes improve serious
illnesses like heart disease, high blood
pressure, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s
24
disease, arthritis and osteoporosis. It can
help your brain stay sharp and keep you
from falling into apart.
Young or old, everyone needs different
kinds of exercise: Cardio or aerobic
exercise gets your heart rate up and makes
you breathe harder, which builds your
endurance and burns calories. Strength or
weight training keeps your muscles ready
for action. Flexibility exercises help you
stay limber so you can have a full range
of movement and avoid injury. Balance
training becomes important after age 50, so
you can prevent falls and stay active.
Lower-impact exercise, with less jumping
and pounding, is kinder to your joints.
Some activities provide more than one
type of exercise. Definitely pick things that
you enjoy doing! Your doctor or trainer
can suggest ways to adapt sports and
exercises, or better alternatives, based on