50+ Lifestyles

New Year, New You?

By Jamie Lange
CASI Director of Marketing

Tis the season of resolutions and at the top of the list are surely – get in shape, eat better, exercise more. You’ve been told for years how important it is to get 30 minutes of exercise daily. But you’re busy and it’s hard to find the time – or even the motivation to do – when it’s cold out.

But today – and tomorrow, really yesterday – is the day to start. Not just because it’s fun and it feels good, but because it’s healthy. Inactivity is one of the greatest risks to a person’s health – particularly to seniors. Older adults, both male and female, can benefit from regular physical activity. But it doesn’t need to be a pulse beating, strenuous or sweaty workout to have health benefits. Older adults can obtain significant health benefits with a just moderate amount of daily physical activity with something as simple as walking or stair climbing. Always consult your doctor when you begin a new exercise regime, but then stop in to CASI to see what they have to offer.
And you can still be YOU! Building exercise into your daily routine can be easy and simple.

• Park further from the door when you run errands
• Walk your dog (or visit an animal shelter and walk theirs)
• Take a fitness class
• Swim laps
• Sign up for a dance class
• Stand and flex – if you’re standing in line stretch or flex your muscles

Benefits of regular exercise include:

• Maintain the ability to live independently
• Reduces the risk of falling and fracturing bones
• Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and of developing high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes
• Can help reduce blood pressure in some people
• Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joint

CASI offers a wide variety of activities for seniors in an indoor environment – especially helpful during the winter months when regularly active seniors may have difficulties getting exercise outdoors.

• Walking
• Low impact exercise
• Zumba
• T’ai Chi
• Energizing Yoga
• Line Dancing

CASI’s space is specifically designed for seniors in mind. This one-stop shop for all of your needs provides you with safe, secure space for exercise and doesn’t break your budget. If you’re working your way up or need additional equipment, you can join the fitness center family and focus your workouts on strength, cardio rehab and more.

Sources: National Institute on Aging and the Surgeon General