For Healthy Aging, Plan to Exercise Regularly

01Most people know that exercise is a good way to stay healthy.

02But experts also say that as people age, exercise continues to be important.

03Exercise helps to prevent falls and makes daily work easier.

04It is also good for the mind.

05So establishing an exercise routine is very important.

06But exercising takes drive or motivation.

07And this is what many people lack.

08Promises to ourselves are quickly broken before we are able to establish an exercise routine.

09The Associated Press, AP, recently spoke with a group of people about why exercise is important and how to create a routine.

10Amy Eiler is a professor of public health at Washington University in St.

11Louis.

12Eiler said, If you want to be cognitively active, it is so important to be physically active.

13Adding, There is such a strong connection between these two behaviors.

14Some say successfully completing daily exercises can improve your mood and sense of self-satisfaction.

15Regular exercise helps you keep your bone density and muscle strength.

16It is also believed to reduce the risk of heart disease and of some kinds of cancer.

17For older people, regular exercise helps physical balance, which aids in living independently.

18Research also suggests the immune system may also get help from physical activity.

19Getting into the habit of doing regular physical activity can be difficult.

20The motivation to get moving is different for everyone.

21At first, you may need outside or external motivation.

22For example, playing with grandchildren or keeping the ability to drive a car.

23Then, when you see the results, Eiler said, The motivation changes to something more personal or internal.

24When you set a goal, you should ask yourself, How confident am I that I can do this?

25Eiler explained, It has to be over the 90% level of confidence, or you're not going to do it.

26Eiler suggests starting simply.

27Just walk whenever you can, she says.

28You can walk for 10 minutes pretty much anywhere.

29Indoors, at home, at work.

30If you are trying to encourage others, give them good reasons.

31For example, she said, Telling someone they will be more independent if they take their blood pressure medication is better than just telling them to do it.

32Here are some tips about how to start an exercise routine from three retirement-aged people.

3377-year-old Catherine Detwiller got pushed into exercising 34 years ago by her husband.

34She works out in a gym twice a week with a trainer.

35She said this gives her added discipline and motivation.

36The external has become internal because I realize I need it, she said.

37Rick Bolsom is 82 years old.

38He enjoys the structure of having a trainer.

39In this case, his wife got him started almost 20 years ago.

40And now he exercises three times every week.

41I kept doing it because I had a sense of feeling better, he said.

42The key to me was probably doing it with a trainer.

43The structure really helped me to continue with it.

44Now it's just become part of my life.

45Dr.

46Grover Smith is a retired radiologist.

47At 86, he is still going strong.

48He said this is partly because he trains in a gym three times a week.

49He started this habit at age 74 on the advice of his heart doctor.

50Smith is not only fit, but now he also gets flattered.

51He tells the story about a recent visit to a doctor.

52The doctor looked at him and his health information.

53Then she told him, Dr.

54Smith, you look 15 years younger than your age.

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