As a current student on the Uni of Reading’s Ageing Well: Nutrition and Exercise for Older Adults, short course, it’s always great to be reminded of the fitness-fundamentals. We all know the saying, “you can’t outrun a bad diet,” but what about the other way around? Can you ‘out-nutrition’ a sedentary lifestyle?

The short answer is nope! We all know physical activity and nutrition go hand-in-hand and as we age, being physically active actually becomes even more important, and here are 7 amazing reasons why…

1.      Exercise helps to prevent disease: It’s well established that regular physical activity goes a long way in helping to prevent and/or delay the onset of diseases such as heart disease, metabolic disease, osteoporosis and diabetes.

2.      Exercise helps to maintain independence: Being active helps you to maintain the capabilities to live independently. Getting dressed, preparing food and going to the toilet all require a surprising level of strength, balance and mobility. Building and maintaining this means older adults can live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.

3.      Exercise decreases the risk of falls: Not only are older adults at an increased risk of falls, they also take longer to recover from them. This can have devastating consequences on both their health and independence. The right exercise programme ensures increased muscle and bone strength, plus better balance, mobility and flexibility.

4.      Exercise improves cognitive function: Studies have consistently shown that people who participate in physical activity have a lower risk of dementia and higher cognitive function later in life than those who don’t.

5.      Exercise significantly improves sleep: The evidence is in and it shows that physical activity not only helps you fall asleep more quickly, but also improves the quality of that sleep. In addition, consistently getting a good night’s ‘kip’ has been shown to reduce the incidence of chronic physical and mental health conditions and improve emotional well-being.

6.      Exercise improves mental health: Exercise releases those ‘feel-good’ hormones called endorphins and these help you feel better in yourself, they also give you loads more energy, and help to reduce anxiety and manage stress.

7.      Exercise improves social relationships: Studies have shown that strong social connections are one of the biggest factors in longevity and wellbeing. Sadly, ageing can often be a lonely time, and group exercise classes can be a really positive way of maintaining a sense of purpose, keeping up with friendships and ensuring human connection.

And remember, even if your senior years are a long way off yet, the earlier you start the easier it is to build and maintain your fitness and the better your ageing outcomes will be!

I’m Cursty, an experienced and certified ladies’ personal trainer based in Sharjah. I specialise in helping busy, professional women, especially those in per/post menopause to feel stronger, leaner, and more energised.
I utilise a holistic approach via functional fitness, smart nutrition, and really ‘do-able’ lifestyle support. Whether your goal is fat loss, improved sleep, or simply feeling better in your own skin, I offer personalised training sessions for women navigating the trials of midlife with careers, families, and the ups and downs of life overseas.
If you would like more information on my programmes or fees, feel free to message me at: curstyptsharjah@gmail.com