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Get Fit
for Retirement!
By Rick Jordahl
So you made it to retirement! Con- weight control. Recent reports project that PHOTOS BY RICK JORDAHL
gratulations! It has been a long by 2030 half of all adults in the United
journey filled with sacrifice, long States will be obese. Take action now so “Retirees may find a new motivation
hours, setbacks and commitment, but you’re not among the obese. You’ll reap because they see the benefits of living
you’re finally ready to relax. many other benefits as well. a longer, healthier life,” according to
Whitney Alexander, group exercise co-
Whether you are newly retired or have Regular exercise improves your overall ordinator at the Sun City Texas Fitness
been for years, you’ve earned it. health picture. It reduces the effects of Center. “Time with grandkids, travel
stress and improves your balance and and hobbies add up to real motivation
Now that you’ve retired, you’ll want to flexibility. Regular exercise can also aid for a healthier lifestyle.”
enjoy the benefits you worked so hard in reducing blood pressure, help lower
for and take the opportunity to enjoy cholesterol levels and help prevent Type “We find that retirees are among the
those things you waited so long to have 2 diabetes. And, you’ll probably sleep most motivated because they realize they
more time for: family, grandkids, travel better, too. have fewer aches and pains when they
and hobbies. exercise,” Alexander said. Retirees who
The importance of remaining active exercise also make better diet choices,
If you’re like most retirees, you know throughout your retirement cannot be she said. “Exercisers are more likely to
that good health is the primary ingredi- overstated. Muscle strength and aerobic opt for a salad instead of french fries.”
ent for a happy retirement. But if you’re fitness are not the only beneficiaries of
not exercising regularly, your golden regular exercise. There is constantly in- “The benefits of exercise during re-
years may become your olden years. creasing scientific evidence that points tirement can be summed up in three
to the brain as a significant winner also. words— quality of life,” according to
Many retirees admit that exercise has Shepherd Green, personal trainer at
not been a priority throughout their ca- “Mental and physical exercise can keep the Sun City Fitness Center for seven
reers. Only one in three adults receives the brain fit and help it to recover capaci- years. “I’ve been able to continue par-
the recommended amount of physical ties lost to disease and trauma,” accord- ticipating in sports that I enjoy because
activity each week. ing to a Wall Street Journal article (Feb. I keep myself in shape.”
7-8, 2015 “Brain Heal Thyself”.)
A principal benefit of regular exercise is “The body is designed to work,” Green
says. “Like a car, if you don’t use it flu-
50 | SUNRAYS AUGUST 2015
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
