by Judy Mosca

Created on: January 16, 2010

We have worked hard for many years, raised our children, worked a full time job, always marching to another’s drumbeat. Thus, it is quite natural that we begin to slow down. Retirement, taking it easy, doing whatever at our own pace instead of someone else’s, is the lifestyle we have longed for. Now we finally have arrived and our one hope is to remain healthy and mobile for as long as possible so that we can continue to do all that we enjoy.

Our early years may not have afforded us the necessary time to incorporate an exercise regimen but doing so now is key to our overall health, for both men and women, and something that we cannot put off doing any longer. Whether we have just retired or have been for a few years, increasing and maintaining our physical flexibility is the single one most necessary goal we need to achieve. It is not too late to begin.

With age our range of motion decreases, muscles tighten and joints begin to stiffen causing us some degree of pain. Engaging in a workout designed solely for flexibility training will help immensely to stave off these problems. There are numerous choices of disc's that can be purchased or rented to experiment with to find the right one. Training time is generally for 10 to 15 minutes and should be done daily.

A Pilates flexibility workout with a band is a good choice. The band aids performance by adding resistance as well as helping to maintain the proper form. The instructions are easy to follow and the exercises are for all ages, for the beginner and the advanced. Viewing the regimen several times before actually beginning to do it better prepares us and keeps us from being discouraged and giving up. Just take it slow, proficiency comes with practice. And best of all, improvement is realized very quickly. We will sleep better, waking up more refreshed.

The benefits of flexibility training are many. For one, we help ourselves to remain mobile for quite a few years longer. There is less risk for injury in attempting activities as we twist or turn suddenly that would ordinarily cause a sharp pain or result in a pulled muscle. Many more tasks will be completed with ease. We also can curb stress and anxiety that often accompany aging. Another by-product of flexibility training is acquiring a certain degree of strength and agility.

For some of us beginning to exercise is like entering uncharted territory. Probably it can be a little intimidating and perhaps there is a host of other things we would like to accomplish before exercising, but in all reality there cannot be any item on our list that is more important. It is time that will be well invested.

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