Too Old to Exercise? Who Are You Kidding?

George Burns lived to be 100...and never gave up the omnipresent stogie in his mouth.

"If I knew I was going to live this long," he used to say, "I would have taken better care of myself!" Needless to say, that line always drew a big laugh. Yet, there's a lot of truth in it. Because, if we do take care of ourselves, we can expect to live a longer - and healthier - life.

Some folks are blessed with good genes. They can smoke, drink , and eat to excess - without ever lifting a finger to exercise - and still live to 90 or 100. But, for most of us, if we want to stay healthier longer, we're going to have to lift a finger (or, even better, a weight!)!

When one of my clients tells me he's too old to start exercising, I tell him he needs a serious attitude-adjustment. Research proves it's never too late to start.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, by the year 2030, there will be 70,000,000 Americans over the age of 65. And the fastest-growing segment of the population will be those over 85! But whenever you turn 65 - or 85 - exercise can help you live longer, and feel better.

Beginning in our thirties, we lose 3%-5% of muscle mass per decade, and, after the age of 50, we lose 1%-2% a year. But muscle mass is what keeps us strong, keeps us balanced, and burns up calories. So it pays to preserve it.

In at study in which seniors in a Boston nursing home lifted leg weights, walking speed increased 12%, and leg strength increased a whopping 113%! In another study, subjects who lifted weights three times a week for three months increased their walking endurance by 38%.

At The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we have extensive materials on the benefits of exercise...and about the Elder Journey.

Over the past 34 years, we've helped thousands of South Florida families. And we can help you, too, with comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, asset-protection plans, and assistance with Medicaid and the VA.

If you've got questions, we've got answers. And we're just a phone call away.

In the meantime...get off that couch!