Active Aging

OCTOBER 3-9, 2022 | ACTIVE AGING WEEK 13 2157 Portage Ave. at Sharp Blvd. 204 - 897 - 4665 1020 Main St. at Manitoba Ave. 204 - 586 - 8668 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com ALL BELIEFS & FAITHS Funeral Chapels & Crematorium "Where care & compassion come from understanding" Our licensed funeral directors will guide you through at need and thoughtful pre-planning arrangements. SERVING FAMILIES IN WINNIPEG AND SURROUNDING AREAS FOR OVER 20 YEARS. The big thing – especially for those in the over-50 crowd – is to re-establish the habit of getting moving, in any way possible. "Two of the biggest barriers to exercise is no time to do it or a lack of affordability, but those are just excuses. You can walk around the house while you have your morning coffee or get up from your desk to do 10 squats. But it must be intentional. You can start out by doing little bits of movement through the day, and gradually building up to more." Why is getting up and moving so important? "Because sitting around continuously is the kiss of death for those in their sixties, seventies and eighties," she says. "After a while, just getting out of a chair can be a struggle." That's why encouragement is so important, add Brown. "We continually stress the importance of encouragement to relatives, friends and neighbours of older adults. So, give them a phone call to remind them to get up and moving, or, better yet, make a buddy system where you come over at a certain time of day to go for a walk. You can also connect them up with a group that does group walks or outings on a regular basis." Once an older adult gets in the habit of exercising regularly, the benefits will quickly show. One of the best things a person can do is get involved in an activity they enjoy. That way, the habit is bound to stick. "A question I ask people is, 'what did you do when you were younger?'," she says. "If you enjoyed hiking or walking, do that. If it was biking, get a bike and start going for regular rides. Or you could take up pickleball, which is a great game that allows seniors to socialize while getting exercise. The key is to get moving. You have a better chance of making it a habit if you enjoy doing it." Brown adds one last piece of advice for those just starting out. "If you've lapsed with your activities or are just getting active again, my advice is to start off slowly," she says. "Start with 10 minutes, then gradually get up to 15 or 20 minutes. You don't want to start off so fast that you're so sore the next day that you say, 'I can't do this.' The key is to start slow." So, get moving. It helps you stay young, improves longevity and combats disease. What more could you ask for? If exercise were a pill, it would be the most prescribed pill worldwide, because it helps you stay young. " CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 A trainer can help you reach your fitness goals. (Supplied photo) Joining a swimming group can boost both fitness and mental health. (Supplied photo)

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