At Vitality Fitness our health and exercise specialists are knowledgable in all areas of overall health and wellness.  As adults transition into retirement and begin to see the physical changes of aging, physical activity and exercise becomes increasingly important and a healthy hobby to adopt.  Here are some commonly asked questions with adults entering their elder years or contemplating adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Why exercise after retirement?

The graduation from full-time or part-time work to retirement can open up a lot of time in your schedule.  This fancy-free day to day life can be enjoyable and relaxing after a hectic career but keeping some projects, activities or goals on your radar are extremely important for mental health.  All this extra time you’ll experience with retirement opens many options for adopting a regular exercise routine, joining a sports team, acquiring a new skill, maintaining strength and function, or simply taking time to put your health first.

Could exercise be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous?

When anyone new to physical activity and exercise starts an exercise program it can be uncomfortable at first.  The initial visits are aimed to educate and make you comfortable with our staff, facility and programs.  Our health and exercise specialists design custom programs after a physical health and fitness assessment which start you at an appropriate level of exercise frequency and intensity.  There are health benefits from maintaining moderate physical activity but the most benefits are seen when intensity is increased.  Depending on your needs, your program can progress you to greater intensity training over  many weeks or provide options at a manageable moderate intensity level.  The ideal balance is enjoyable exercise that taxes the body into producing training adaptations with minimal strain and discomfort.  Exercise can be potentially dangerous if there are pre-existing conditions, disease, or injury.  It is extremely important to keep your trainer aware of any conditions you may have, keep any medication on you, and consult your physician before commencing a new training program.

I’m having a hard time getting motivated to exercise, what tips can you give me?

Starting any exercise program takes a huge amount of motivation, courage and confidence.  Here are some tips that might help you get out the door!

• Having a supportive network of friends and family can help you facilitate that change and getting them to join you in exercise is great for everyone’s physical and mental health and can also help with adherence to exercise.
• Starting with small, manageable and specific goals are a great way to boost your confidence in your ability to exercise.
• Educate yourself on some of the benefits of exercise and physical activity.  There are so many! From the numerous positive health effects, to increased energy level, increased self-esteem and increased functional capacity are all great reasons to initiate a exercise routine and the effects don’t even take that long to recognize!

What role does diet and nutrition play?

When increasing your activity level and making your health a priority, a healthy diet is essential to obtain the most benefits.  Canada’s Food Guide offers an excellent guideline for the appropriate amount and type of foods to eat on a regular basis.  If you have special dietary needs for diabetes or heart health it’s best to consult a dietician or nutritionalist before any alterations to your diet are made.