Fit & nifty at sixty

The very popular TV reality show in the USA, Dancing with the Stars, has 60-year-old Kirstie Alley as one of its contenders. While Kirstie’s dance prowess is undeniably appreciated by her fans, American media is putting so much attention on her weight fluctuations.  Kirstie made her movie debut in Star Trek 2 in 1982, her TV debut in the hit comedy series Cheers in 1987, and since then has been in the public eye.  The once trim and glamorous celebrity shocked and disgusted her fans when she ballooned to an unsightly 300 lbs. Using depression and compulsive eating as the reasons for her weight gain, she became a spokesperson for Jenny Craig and inspired a lot of her fellow weight watchers when she lost more than a hundred pounds. But Kirstie could not keep her weight loss off permanently. The media constantly reported on her weight gain, weight loss, weight gain, weight loss, weight gain. Recently on Jay Leno, she claimed that her stint with Dancing with the Stars has made her lose 60 lbs. so far, but she is aspiring to lose 30 lbs. more. This just goes to show that we should never stop exercising way after we reach the golden years. 

There is so much emphasis placed on looking beautiful at 40, 50, 60, etc. and we can do this not by indulging in cosmetic and beauty treatments but rather, by being healthy through diet and exercise. For working adults who are busy with their daily lives, keeping fit is challenging.  Experts recommend that adults should engage in moderate-intensity physical activities for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week or in vigorous-intensity physical activity for 20 minutes per occasion three or more days a week. A good way for adults to meet the physical fitness challenge is to join exercise programs in a fitness center. If this option is not feasible, changes can be incorporated into a person’s lifestyle such as brisk walking in the mall, walking up and down the stairs when possible, joining dance classes, or learning a sport such as badminton or swimming. The important thing is to keep moving. As people age, their metabolism slows down and caloric adjustments need to be made accordingly by watching portion control when it comes to eating. Many who are less motivated are turning to a personal trainer who can motivate and monitor an exercise and diet regimen.

Seniors can enjoy most of the activities they engaged in when they were younger like golf, swimming, biking, and brisk walking. They can also take up new activities such as dancing, yoga or water aerobics. Many gyms and physical fitness centers offer exercise classes for seniors, which have all the moves of a more intense class but are done more slowly or sitting in a chair. It is critical for seniors to keep working at their balance as falls are a major concern for the elderly and a leading cause of injury. Scientists have proven that being active can help with chronic conditions and help reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke, depression, colon cancer, and premature death. Studies have shown a correlation between the physical activity level of seniors and their mental health as well. The elderly are often depressed as they feel the challenges and adjustments associated with aging. As most of their peers work past the traditional retirement age, staying healthy and physically fit makes all the difference in staying mentally fit and emotionally balanced.

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Reference: Ettinger, Walter H. et al., Fitness After 50.

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