by April J.

Created on: July 01, 2008

The more years we have behind us the more life lessons we have learned. The more books we've read, the more lives we've touched and places we've seen, the more governments we've seen come and go, the more tears we've cried and times we have failed and succeeded. It is a truly unfortunate irony that in many cultures we learn to view old age as a time of "weakness".

True, there are certain physical inevitabilities. For example we will all, at some point, need reading glasses. However, with old age does not have to come the surrender to physical frailty and a sedentary lifestyle. Health is a lifestyle choice, and one that you can carry with you well into your twilight years. Its benefits include greater mental clarity, bones more resistant to breakage, a healthy cardio-vascular system and a healthy weight.

So how should an older person go about crafting their ideal exercise regime? In this article, I will include some tips for getting started as well as some ideas for exercises that are ideal for the more "seasoned" exercise-enthusiast.

CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR

When starting out, it can be a good idea for a person of any age to check with their doctor in case there are any types of exercise that they should avoid. Each person's body is different and each of us has different needs when it comes to health. If there are any areas of concern, such as back or knee problems, recent bone breakages or injuries, it is important for your personal trainer (if you choose to enlist one) to know these things. If you choose not to opt for a personal trainer, your doctor can still give recommendations as to which types of workouts will be ideal for you and which to avoid. He/she will also be able to make recommendations concerning your diet so that you can ensure you are getting all of the required nutrients to meet your needs.

CHOOSE ACTIVITIES THAT YOU LIKE

Old age is about enjoying life and all it has to offer, after your many years of hard-work, learning and life-experience. It is a time when you are best able to say that you know who you are, and this knowledge puts you in a great position to choose activities based on what you enjoy and even things that you have always wanted to try. For some, this means taking up golf, for others it is walking or running marathons. For yet others, it may even be skydiving or surfing. You will know what it best for you, so first do some brainstorming to get some ideas, and then - get out there and get moving! As long as what you are choosing is

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