Two older adults stretch together as they sit outside.
Start working out for optimal health and aging well benefits. (For Spectrum Health Beat)

As we grow older, an active lifestyle is more important than ever.

Regular exercise can help boost energy, maintain your independence and manage symptoms of illness or pain.

Exercise can even reverse some of the symptoms of aging. And not only is exercise good for our body, it’s also good for our mind, mood and memory. Whether you are generally healthy or are managing an illness, there are plenty of ways to get more active, improve confidence and boost your fitness.

Beginning or continuing a regular exercise routine can be a challenge as we get older.

You may feel discouraged by illness, ongoing health problems, or concerns about injuries or falls. Or, the biggest fear, you’ve never exercised before, you may not know where to begin. You may also think you’re too old or frail, or that exercise is boring or simply not for you.

As you search for reasons not to exercise, there are many more reasons why you should. Exercise energizes your mood, relieves stress, helps you manage symptoms of illness and pain, and improves your overall sense of well-being. In fact, exercise is the key to staying strong, energetic and healthy as you get older.

And, believe it or not, it can even be fun.

No matter your age or your current physical condition, you can benefit from exercise. Gaining the rewards of exercise doesn’t require strenuous workouts or trips to the gym. It’s about adding more movement and activity to your life, even in small ways. There are many easy ways to get your body moving and improve your health.

Tips to remember before you get started:

  • Get clearance from your doctor. If you have a preexisting condition, ask if there are any activities you should avoid.
  • Adjust the timing of medication and meal plans when setting an exercise schedule. This should be discussed with your doctor before you start. Due to health concerns you may need to scale back on certain activities until you are physically ready.
  • Starting slow is key, especially if you haven’t been active in a while. It can be harmful to go “all out.” Instead, build up your exercise program little by little each week. Try spacing workouts in 10-minute increments twice a day. Trying a new activity once a week would be a great way to keep it new and fresh. To prevent the crash and burn, you should start by warming up, cooling down and keeping water handy.
  • Create an exercise schedule for at least three or four weeks so exercise becomes habit, and force yourself to stick with it.
  • Focus on shortterm goals. Concentrate on things such as improving your mood and your energy level and reducing stress, rather than goals such as weight loss, which can take longer to achieve.
  • Recognize problems. Exercise should never hurt or make you feel lousy. Stop exercising immediately and call your doctor if you feel dizzy or short of breath, develop chest pain or pressure, break out in a cold sweat or experience pain. Also stop if a joint is red, swollen or tender to touch.