A study from the Journal of Nutrition and Healthy Aging shows that consuming breakfast before exercise enhances endurance and strength in older adults.
The benefits of afternoon exercise for longevity were most pronounced for men and seniors. Morning workouts may not be ideal for shift workers, those who work late or stay up late in the evening.
By eating a meal before exercising, you can provide your body with the energy it needs to perform at its best, leading to a more effective workout. Additionally, working out after breakfast can help you avoid the lightheadedness or dizziness that can result from exercising on an empty stomach.
“The squat is the most important exercise for seniors,” says Eric Daw, a personal trainer dedicated to older adults and founder of Omni-Fitt in Toronto, Canada. “When you have to go to the washroom, that's a squat. When you get in the car, that's a squat.
Balance Exercise
1. Feet apart: Stand with feet about shoulder-width apart, eyes open, and hold steady for 10 seconds, working your way up to 30 seconds. If you find yourself swaying or reaching for the wall or counter frequently, just keep working on this exercise until you can do it with minimal swaying or support.
Seniors should aim for about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, similar to younger adults. This translates to walking around 3 to 4 kilometers daily, spread over the week. Regular walking helps in managing chronic conditions, improving balance, and enhancing mental health.
This movement—in which you lower your body and then raise it back up—works all of the major muscle groups in the upper and lower body. “The squat is the most important exercise for seniors,” Eric Daw, a personal trainer specializing in helping older adults and founder of Omni-Fitt in Toronto, Canada, told AARP.
Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilates and yoga can also help you lose belly fat.
Key takeaways: When you work out too soon after eating, it may cause gastrointestinal (stomach) issues that affect your workout. General guidelines suggest exercising 1 to 2 hours after a small meal and 30 to 60 minutes after a snack to fuel your workout and prevent stomach problems.
You eat 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of “steady-state cardiovascular exercise.” Eating a protein-filled breakfast in the morning can stave off cravings later, and exercising first thing ensures you get some movement before your day gets going.
Packed with carbohydrates, bananas serve as a primary fuel source for your muscles during exercise. The natural sugars they contain provide a quick energy boost, making them an ideal pre-workout snack.
Every week, adults 65 and older need:
Aerobic physical activity that includes: At least 150 minutes at moderate intensity. This could be 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
The United Nations, for example, considers old age to be 60 years or older.
You can strengthen and tone abdominal muscles with crunches or other exercises focused on your belly. But doing those exercises alone won't get rid of belly fat. The good news is that visceral fat responds to the same diet and exercise strategies that can help get rid of other extra pounds and lower total body fat.
Seated Forward Roll-Ups
Another great seated core exercise for seniors, the seated forward roll-up is especially helpful for those focusing on their upper and lower abdominal muscles. Sit in the chair, but this time, extend your legs so your heels are on the floor and your feet pulled back towards you.
“The squat is the most important exercise for seniors,” says Eric Daw, a personal trainer dedicated to older adults and founder of Omni-Fitt in Toronto, Canada. “When you have to go to the washroom, that's a squat. When you get in the car, that's a squat. Every time you sit down or stand up, that's a squat.
According to the authors, nearly everyone they interviewed kept in shape by practicing a morning routine called, “Radio Taiso” the most famous exercise in Japan that dates back to the 1920s.
Walking. Walking is simple, yet powerful. It can help you stay trim, improve cholesterol levels, strengthen bones, keep blood pressure in check, lift your mood, and lower your risk for a number of diseases (diabetes and heart disease, for example).
How Much Should I Walk? According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), healthy seniors should walk 7,000 – 10,000 steps per day. That's an average of three to three and a half miles throughout the course of a day.
Using 2,000 steps in one mile as an average benchmark, 10,000 steps is approximately 5 miles.
What time of day is best for seniors to walk? A study from February 2023 concludes that exercising in the afternoon might be especially beneficial for seniors' longevity.