Anti-Aging Exercise for
Fantastic BenefitsExercise Reduces Severity of SymptomsAnti-aging exercise may not cure hot flashes (although many women report it makes them more bearable), but these specialized movements have so many things going for them, it would be silly to ignore them. Physical activity is important at any age, but as you get older, everything shifts. Anti-aging exercise will: Improve the condition of your heart and lungs - better circulation means nicer skin texture and tone;Tone your muscles and keep them from atrophy ("use it or lose it") while keeping excess fat burned away;Prevent osteoporosis by decreasing calcium loss - helping you to keep your good posture;Reduce insomnia and the symptoms associated with sleep loss (i.e. hot flashes and night sweats) - you need your beauty rest;Relieve tension and elevate mood, giving you that beautiful beaming smile we love so much;Improve your energy level, strength, stamina, and flexibility;Reduce and prevent depression, anxiety, and irritability;Improve metabolism (weight gain is much more likely in menopause).It's to your advantage to begin an exercise program before you reach menopause- diet and exercise really do matter - but it's never too late to start. OK, so you're convinced that exercise and menopause makes for a good combination, but which program will be best for you? Many experts agree that the three top anti-aging exercises are walking, rebounding, and yoga (If you have a health problem, you may want to ask your health care practitioner if it's OK to begin a low-impact exercise program). As important as it is to get moving, you also need to be careful about exercising too hard. It's quite unfair, but if you work out more than you should, your body produces cortisol, just like it does when you are stressed out. You've seen the TV commercials - cortisol adds weight around your waist, hips, and thighs - exactly the areas that weight gain in menopause already hits. That's why the emphasis on the "easy does it" kinds of exercise (unless you're already an athlete; in that case, you go, girl!) If you are physically able to do so, taking even a thirty minute walk each day can be amazing, especially if you're able to get away from the gas fumes of cars and such. You'll need well-fitting, supportive shoes, protection from the sun (or from the cold), a water bottle, and you're good to go! Enjoy the sunshine and birdsong; they will lift your spirits as well. Rebounding - jumping on those little trampolines - is recommended for increasing your lymphatic circulation (helpful in cellulite control), but is an ideal anti-aging exercise in itself. You'll need comfortable, non-binding clothing, a good, supportive bra, and of course, a rebounder (aka mini-trampoline). My rebounder has a stabilizer bar, which comes in handy especially for the "twistie" bounces, and a bounce counter. You can use the counter to tell you when to change the type of jumps you're doing, so you get a good overall workout. Taking a local yoga class is good exercise, stress-reducing, and can be a social event, too (after class, that is). If there isn't a yoga teacher in your area, there are some good videos out for home use. If you have the space, invite a couple of friends to join in. All you really need is a teacher (or at least a video) and loose or stretchy clothing, but a yoga mat comes in handy, as does a yoga strap or belt, and a small, firm cushion or folded blanket. No more excuses; start your anti aging exercise program today.
From Anti-Aging Exercise
Back to Skin Care for Aging Skin
|
