For a wonderful retirement, the trick is senior fitness. Many Gerontologists, who study physical, mental and social changes in people as they age, say that the common senior is happier and healthier if they maintain a steady physical activity program.
Most seniors understand that aerobic activity is essential for heart health but they neglect the point that even at advanced age weight training is still needed. Alongside that, many seniors who do regularly perform aerobic activity don't take the time to stretch before each workout leading to increased injuries.
A fit and active 75 year old is often as strong and athletic as an unfit 35 year old. According to one report, an active person will physically decline by only about �% a year compared to a sedimentary one who will decline by almost a full 2%. This is because we lose 3% - 5% of our muscle mass every decade, after about our 40th birthday, we are able to still continue to increase muscle strength and speed with regular exercise.
Being a fit senior can even enhance your mood. Research has shown that 14% -18% of seniors are depressed. fitness for seniors has been shown a regular fitness activity may also give close to the same effect as antidepressant medication, minus the negative side-effects.
Even the simple act of walking can greatly increase your happiness during retirement. In a Honolulu Heart Program study the death rate of men who walked one mile or less was almost twice that of seniors who walked more than two miles per day. Another study conducted between 1990 and 2001 showed that senior's who walked over half an hour a day had few deaths at that time frame than those who did not.
Even though you're currently out of a shape or haven't exercised in years, a custom program could be designed for you by a senior physical fitness expert. Don't try to replace years of not exercising in one day. Start slowly and work your way up, for instance: Begin walking and build your time up 5 minutes a day one week, 10 minutes a day the next so on etc, and when you get bored walking start speed walking using the same time frames. Walk, Speed walk, Jog, Run - Don't just start running. Starting quick can injure you or even make it so you're burned out and no longer want to work out.
Remember you're "only as old as you are feeling" and being truly a fit senior will allow you to feel young.