Senior Fitness With Meredith

As we age, it may be easy to assume that our memory will be affected and there is nothing we can do about it. This may be true for some cases but in reality, our memory and cognitive sharpness is just like any other muscle in our bodies. The attention we pay to "exercising" our minds is just as important as staying in good physical health. The same habits that we use to stay physically independent can also be applied to our cognitive functioning including our memory. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). Some of the things that cause us to think that we are losing our memory and cognitive thought as we get older. 2). Why in most cases, feelings of losing your memory shouldn't cause for concern in older adults. 3). How the study of aging and memory has grown over the past generations especially as a larger part of the population is aging well into their 70's 80's and even 90's. 4). How limiting distractions either by minimizing tasks or commitments can help "de-clutter" your mind and provide clarity for thought etc. 5). Why putting emphasis on a healthier diet is important to cognitive function and how it can help with memory and thought during the day. /// We hope the tips we've shared in this episode are helpful to you or someone you know who may be feeling like memory loss is becoming an issue. Taking the necessary steps to practice and exercise our memory function is something that can be done by all ages and should be included in normal self care practices. Keeping our bodies AND minds in shape is the name of the game to a longer, more independent, healthier life. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” — Henry David Thoreau This quote is a reminder to you all how grateful I am for you! I thank you each day for helping make me who I am today. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experiencing a fall can be traumatic not just for you but for loved ones around you. Falling at any age can be dangerous but falling in our later years can cause physical, mental and emotional challenges as well. If you’ve experienced this or know someone who has then the first thing on your mind is to never have to go through it again. Luckily, there are things you can do to help minimize the occurrence of another fall which are easy to implement and safe for many living situations. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). How this topic of preventing future falls was inspired by an email from one of our subscribers and what their story was when experience a recent fall. 2). The effects that falls can have especially on older adults which can impact you physically, mentally and emotionally. 3). Why it’s important to have spatial awareness in your environment and knowing where your body is at all times within your space. 4). How the spaces we live in are always changing with furniture, rugs, pets, pillows etc which can all serve as trip habits if you are not aware of them. 5). Why it’s important to communicate with your PCP about the medications and doses you may be taking to help ensure stability and mobility at all times. /// We hope the tips and information in this episode helps you or someone you know who may have have experienced a fall. The small changes that can be made to prevent another fall can be implemented easily and help save you from possible long term effects. Keeping you safe and healthy is always the key no matter what situation you are in. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“May you be strengthened by yesterday’s rain, walk straight in tomorrow’s wind, and cherish each moment of the sun today.”- Ojibwe Saying This quote reminds us to grow from our past, be strong into our future, and remember how important hope is for today! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regular exercise is important to include in a weekly schedule because it contributes to keeping all facets of the body healthy. However, the day in and day out process of exercise can also lead to soreness in joints, muscles and ligaments. This type of soreness may not always be “serious” as it comes with the normal process of building muscle and working up your cardiovascular system. Regardless, soreness can contribute to a lack of motivation and discomfort when it comes to exercise. Luckily there are some things you can do to help ease soreness which will help keep you and your body on track with maintaining a regular exercise schedule. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). Why we decided to dedicate this episode to learning about body soreness and why it’s such an important part of living an active lifestyle. 2). What causes the soreness after exercise and what does it mean for the body when this occurs. 3). How regular stretching after your workouts helps lengthen and loosen you muscles which can help lessen the chances of regular soreness. 4). The importance of staying hydrated throughout the day and how that directly contributes to minimizing soreness after exercise. 5). Why making sure you get proper rest periods in between workouts is important when it comes to recovery and minimizing stiffness and soreness. /// We hope the tips in the episode are helpful to you if you are experiencing regular soreness and pain from exercising. As mentioned, not all pain is bad and it is most likely and indicator of your body adjusting to the changes occurring from your workouts. However if you are experiencing severe pain or pain that doesn’t go away we definitely recommend checking with your doctor. Working through normal soreness is always an option and taking care of your body sure always be high on the list of things to reach a long and healthy life. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”-Unknown This quote reminds us that with gratitude for what we have, we realize we have enough in our life! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Working up your lifestyle to include regular exercise is no easy task especially as we age. It can also be frustrating to finally accept exercising as part of your life and yet not see the changes that you were expecting. Losing weight, building muscle and feeling stronger and healthier are all effects of regular exercise but it may not happen as quick as you would like. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). How committing to losing weight or building muscle as goals can add to our frustrations when we don't see the results we we're hoping for after exercising. 2). Why it's important to be aware of the fitness and health market and know that not all "short cuts" are healthy choices to help speed up achieving your fitness goals. 3). Why it's important to focus on how you "feel" after exercising and the positive impact it has on your life instead of basing it only on vanity metrics like weight and physique. 4). How the relationship between fat and muscle directly correlate and how to incorporate a workout schedule that focuses more on an "all around" approach instead of focusing on just one thing like losing weight or building muscle strength only. 5). The importance of focusing on other benefits of exercise like mood improvement, heart health and a strengthened immune system which helps keep you healthy in ways that you may not visually see. /// We hope you found value in this episode especially if you are on your own journey to better health and an active lifestyle. The effects of regular exercise and a healthy life do manifest themselves with consistency and commitment. Our hope is to encourage you to stick with your program and don't give up! The benefits of your hard work will pay off. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Push harder than yesterday if you want a different tomorrow.” – Vincent Williams Sr. This quote reminds us that in order for a different and better tomorrow to occur, we must push ourselves each day! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exercising regularly has many lasting benefits like added strength, flexibility, balance, heart health and so much more! But what happens when you feel like your body is just not responding to your workouts anymore or you feel tired and unmotivated to stay consistent? Your recovery periods after exercising may be to blame. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). Why recovery is so important when it comes to an active exercise schedule and why it often gets overlooked. 2). How consistent stretching after a workout can help improve your body’s resilience to injury and wear down. 3). Why it’s important to be aware of the methods you choose for hydration and the growing market of products that claim they are the best way to re-hydrate. 4). How getting the proper amounts of rest and sleep are key to helping your body repair itself so you are ready to exercise as maximum energy again next time. 5). The importance of considering a regular massage to help your muscles, bones and tendons recover faster after weeks of consistent exercise. /// We hope the tips we’ve shared in this episode help you with your recovery periods after exercising. Making sure your body has had enough rest and nourishment in between workouts is key to maintaining a healthy schedule and giving you body what it needs will help you live a long and lasting active lifestyle for years to come. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I have chosen to be happy because it’s good for my health.”- Voltaire This quote reminds us to stay positive and happy, because it truly is good for our overall health. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osteoporosis (moderate to severe bone loss as we age) is becoming a very common condition in modern day adults. As of now, 54 million people age 50 or older have osteoporosis or are at risk of getting it. About 9 million people have osteoporosis; most are White or Asian American and about 20 percent of American women over the age of 50 already have osteoporosis. (HealthyAging.org) With these kinds of statistics it's easy to see the growing problem that people are encountering as they age. Fortunately through exercise, we can help curb the effects of this disease and allow those who suffer from it still lead very normal lives. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). Some of the common feedback we receive from subscribers and followers on how their degrading bone density is affecting their lives and limiting the amount of activities they can participate in. 2). Why it's important to communicate with your doctor and PCP and to make sure you are cleared for lower impact/slow exercise before you attempt to start. 3). How simple lower body exercises can help build strength in your bones as well as activities like regular walking using gravity as your counter weight can make a big difference. 4). Why regular stretching throughout your body is very helpful when doing exercises to build up your bone density and how it helps keep your joints and muscles flexible and loose. 5). Meredith's recommendations of how often you should exercise and what types of exercises you should do during the week to help build your bone density and strengthen your muscles around them. /// We hope the information we've shared in this episode is helpful to you or someone you know who suffers from osteoporosis. This growing disease effects more people each year and taking the necessary steps to counter this disease can help lead to a very successful active life style, now and into the future. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” — Mark Twain This quote reminds us that sometimes all we need to do is get started, and that will motivate us to keep going and even get ahead. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As our population continues to age, we are seeing more older people staying in the active workforce much longer than in the past. People into their 60's, 70's and older are continuing to work for various reasons. This also means that working everyday can take a harder toll on the aging body. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). How the trend of people who are getting to retirement age or older and are staying employed or continuing to work is growing. 2). How working longer into your older years and not taking care of your body take a certain toll which risks injury or long term chronic pain. 3). Why incorporating strength training routines in your weekly workout is key to helping keep your body protected when performing lifting and or moving type activities. 4). The effects that can occur on your body when you sit at a desk for a long period of time. 5). How to stay motivated to exercise regularly when you have a busy work schedule even after you hit retirement age. /// We hope the exercises we've shared in this episode are helpful to you or someone you know who may be an older worker. Staying in the workforce can be beneficial financially but we must also recognize that the physical side of working longer needs to be tended to as well. Keeping you healthy well into your later years no matter what your situation is always our goal! Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Be healthy and take care of yourself, but be happy with the beautiful things that make you, you.” This quote reminds us that as important as it is to stay healthy, we must do it for the correct reasons and love all of the things that make us who we truly are. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Staying active and mobile is something we truly believe in no matter what your age. However, sometimes we find ourselves involved in activities that require us to be on the floor like playing with grand babies or cleaning under tables or chairs. Knowing the right exercises and areas of your body to work on to help you get back up from the floor can make these activities much easier and enjoyable. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). Why we thought it was important to address this issue of getting up from the floor and how much of a problem this can be as we age. 2). How falling to the floor is a real problem for many older individuals and having the strength/skill to be able to help yourself get back up (if there are no injuries) can make a big difference. 3). How simple body weight exercises can help you build up the strength to help you if you find yourself on the floor and are ready to get back up. 4). Why focusing on exercises that work you gluteal muscles is an important aspect to building the stability you need to help transition from the floor to standing. 5). The many different ways you can work your core muscles while exercising that don’t require you to do sit ups on the floor which will also help with stability. /// Being on the floor can be challenging for some folks and lifting your body back up to standing position may not always be easy especially as the body ages. We hope the tips we’ve shared in this episode are helpful to you or someone you know who may have issues when coming back up from the floor. Our goal is to help keep you safe and mobile for as long as possible and enjoy activities like playing with those grand babies! Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, just pretend that you do and at some point, you will.” – Venus Williams This quote reminds us to believe in yourself everyday, even on the days you are not that confident in yourself, pretend and you will! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regular exercise is known to have many physical benefits by helping build strength, balance and your cardiovascular system. But did you know that exercise also helps boost your overall mood and mental health naturally? In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). Meredith’s personal experiences in working with clients of all ages and some of their views and feedback on how exercise has helped them mentally overall. 2). How advancements in studying exercise over the years has improved and how we know much more about this correlation between mood and exercise than in the past. 3). How moving around your living space and not staying dormant for long can have immediate effects on your mood especially if you haven’t been physically active over a period of time. 4). The different positive effects that regular exercise has on not just your mood, but your confidence levels, physical posture and overall outlook on life. 5). Some of Meredith’s exercise suggestions you can try which are easy like walking and/or upper and lower body movements that can be done in the seated position. /// We hope the information we’ve shared in this episode is helpful to you or someone you know who may need help with their overall mental health and mood. Mental wellness is very important no matter what your age and exercise is one of the best natural stimulants to help keep your mood balanced towards positivity, confidence and happiness. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Dead last finish is greater than did not finish, which trumps did not start.” — Unknown This quote reminds us just to start, because not starting will never get us anywhere! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are many things to remember when it comes to aging and maintaining a healthy, long lasting lifestyle. Participating in regular and exercise and eating a balanced diet are 2 of those things. However one of the most important aspects to aging well is also maintaining healthy social interactions with family, friends and peers. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). Some of Meredith’s personal experiences in working with clients over the years and some of their thoughts on the challenges to stay social later in life. 2). Some of the things that can contribute to feelings of isolation and not wanting to participate in social activities. 3). How limitations in mobility can cause less enthused feelings to leave the comfort of a home or living space thus, leading to less social activity. 4). How maintaining close social ties to family, friends and loved ones can help slow down cognitive decline in later years. 5). Why being online can be a helpful way to stay connected to people near and far and why scheduling time to connect is important. /// We hope the tips and information we’ve shared in this episode are helpful to you or someone you know who may be struggling with staying connected to friends, family or peers. Studies have shown that healthy social interaction later in life plays an important role in living longer, happier and healthier not just for your mind, but your body and soul. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I’ve failed over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan This quote reminds us that failure is what leads us to success, as it makes us push ourselves harder. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.