Top 5 Exercises for a Healthy Heart

Exercising Activities for Seniors

Often many people gradually become less active as they get older. 

We can't move the way we use to. That may be true but as we age, we still need to exercise our bodies. Not only to stay in physical shape but to keep our circulation, respiratory and digestive system working. Exercising also boost our immune system, helps increase our balance and keeps us mentally sharp. It also helps slow down the aging process. We don't have to indulge in extreme workouts to realize these benefits. There are many activities that are fun and also lets you socialize with others.

Dancing is great exercise. Line dancing, ballroom dancing, square dancing all get your body moving and have the social element. There are many classes available to learn different steps depending on what type of music you like. Dancing will improve your balance and coordination and will give you a sense of accomplishment as you hone your skill. You can also dance at home by yourself to your favorite music and create your own steps.

Golf is another good activity if you don't let it frustrate you mentally. Always do some light stretching in your legs, back and arms before you start your round. Most courses have golf carts but if you can walk the your round that will even add more of a work out. Even just hitting a bucket of golf balls on the driving range two or three times a week is good exercise.

Riding a bike is good cardio exercise and strengthens leg muscles. Short 15 to 20 minute rides three times a week is a good way to start.

Make sure you have a bike that fits your stature and that it is in good working order. Always wear a helmet and carry water with you.

Swimming will exercise your body with a lower chance of injury. The water provides resistance as you move but the strain on your muscles is much less than running, jogging or cycling. For that reason, exercising in a pool is great if you are on a rehabilitation program. Don't swim or exercise in a pool by yourself.

One of the best exercises for any age is just plain walking. You can hold a 1 or 2 lb. weight in your hands as you swing your arms to add a little extra workout for your arms. Many people will meet friends to walk and socialize on a regular basis. Owning a dog will get you out walking daily.

I recommend if you are going to start an exercise routine that you consult your doctor or care provider to make sure your activity won't cause any harm or injury. Always start slow and gradually increase the length of time and intensity of each exercise session. Do something that you will enjoy and look forward to. Being healthy and fit will become your lifestyle.

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What Are the Best Fitness Workouts?

The term "fitness workouts" is often misleading. While many believe that fitness workouts refer to anything that assists you in keeping yourself fit, the correct meanings are somewhat different. By definition, fitness workouts are those kinds of physical activity or workout that "when combined with well-balanced, recommended diet" will help you lose weight and extra body fat in the optimal time frame.

To better understand the term, consider the following examples of some recommended fitness workouts which, when combined with healthy diet, will help you lose weight fast and significantly:
1- Running (or jogging)
2- Brisk walking (one that makes you sweat profusely)
3- Playing football, soccer or any sport that involves running and intense physical activity

4-Swimming (an excellent fitness workout)
5- Treadmill / elliptical (cardio) exercise
Why they are so important?
Weight loss experts, dietitians and nutritionists are now of the unanimous opinion that any diet plan or fitness program (no matter how strong and famous it is) would not work alone until and unless it is implemented and practised in conjunction with regular fitness workouts such those mentioned-above. So, the million dollar question is; what's so special about these workouts?
Well, the main significance of these workouts is actually hidden in the fact that they greatly enhance the weight reduction process and fat burning effect of the diet consumed on daily basis. In other words the weight, that you would lose in one month by diet alone, can actually be lost in a period as short as two weeks by performing the recommended fitness workouts along with following a specific diet schedule.
How do fitness workouts work?
Almost all of the fitness workouts work by increasing the rate of the burning of dietary and body fat. In other words, such workouts tend to increase and speed up the rate of metabolism which eventually leads to faster calorie burning and greater calorie expenditure. As a result of this increased calorie burning, you lose more weight at a faster speed. On the other hand, at the same time, because of the weight loss diet you're on, you are already eating less. Therefore, this dual mode of action of fewer calorie consumption plus greater calorie expenditure leads to the overall weight loss effect.

How to get the maximum out of these workouts?
One of the best ways to intensify and maximize the effects of fitness workouts is to perform them in conjunction with the use of some recommended diet or herbal supplement. Studies and clinical data have proved that using a proven herbal weight reduction supplement along with regular weight loss workouts can actually help you maintain optimal body weight, figure and shape on permanent basis.

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Benefits of Swimming

If you like being in the water, here is some information that will have you smiling all the way to the pool: swimming is an excellent form of all-round exercise. When you exercise on land, there are many factors working against you. First, you have to battle the force of your full weight. Next, you place an awful lot of pressure on your bones and joints, particularly if you are overweight.

Then, there is also the feeling of exhaustion creeping up on you as sweat trickles from every pore and you feel sore muscles creaking in protest. Swimming eliminates all the distress of exercising.
Some of the benefits of swimming are:
Swimming is an excellent exercise for those people who want to lose weight. Studies suggest that people expend more than twice the same number of calories when they are swimming when compared to jogging or climbing stairs. At the same time, since the body's temperature does not rise during this exercise, exercisers are spared the sharp pangs of 'after-workout hunger'.

The benefits of swimming are available even to people suffering from medical problems. The buoyancy of water acts naturally to form a protective cocoon around the body, taking away any excess pressure on the bones, joints and muscles. There is no harsh pounding or jerks to jolt the system. That is why swimming is the recommended exercise for people recouping from an injury or having a history of medical problems.
Swimming is 100% safe. When performed correctly, the rhythmic motion of the arms and legs makes it impossible for you to sustain an injury while swimming. Swimming is an exercise that most people can enjoy, regardless of their weight, age and fitness level.
Swimming is a comfortable exercise. Most people hate working out in summer when the mercury climbs to unbearable levels. Even warm days can put an end to your workout plans. With swimming, you do not need to endure unbearable heat and discomfort. You can control the temperature of the water so that nothing interferes with your exercise routine.

The benefits of swimming makes itself apparent in all parts of your body. It exercises all the major muscle groups, even the lower abdomen and the hips! Since swimming requires you to fight the resistance of water, muscle development takes place. You also improve your strength and flexibility. Improving muscle mass and improving flexibility becomes all the more important as you age and become more prone to injuries and debilitating conditions like osteoporosis and arthritis. Swimming improves cardiovascular health, rejuvenates your circulation and leaves minimal residual soreness in the muscles. Controlled breathing improves the strength of the lung muscles too. Swimming also improves the efficiency of the heart. Contrast this with most land exercises that concentrate on one group of muscles or a single aspect of fitness.

The benefits of swimming extend to the mind too. People who swim regularly automatically get involved in meditation. This is because swimming is a dedicated activity that cannot be mixed with other distractions. When the mind is free to mediate, there is a qualitative improvement in life.
So, if you like water and you've been waiting for a reason to splash in its blue depths, you now have more than enough reasons to do it!

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