Fit After 60

Our bodies change as we age, and it is important for men and women of any age to maintain fitness for overall physical, mental, and emotional well being. It may seem harder to keep fit in your 60s and beyond, but there are still a lot of ways for you to keep fit and healthy. Here are 10 tips for being fit after 60.

1. Age Actively

Make sure you keep exercise as part of your routine, even if it's just simple exercise like walking each day or doing simple yoga poses and stretches a few days a week. Staying active as you age is important for both your physical and mental health and fitness.

2. Eat Whole Foods

Eating fresh, whole foods, such as vegetables, fruit, grains, and nuts is very nutritious. These foods are all packed with essential vitamins and minerals necessary for women and men age 60 and over. A balanced, vegetarian diet is also very healthy for men and women who want to stay fit after 60.

3. Keep Learning

Keep your brain strong by continuing to learn. Read a non-fiction book or informative articles online or consider taking a cooking class on a cuisine you always wanted to learn or learning to make a craft. Learning new things keeps you intelligent as you age and is great for mental health at age 60 and beyond.

4. Exercise with a Friend (or More!)

Exercising with a friend or a group makes the experience more enjoyable in many ways. It's easier to stay fit after 60 when you know you have a support system of like-minded people. Swimming is a great exercise to keep you fit as you age, and it can easily be done with a friend or a group.

5. Explore

There's always more places to see no matter what age you are. Go to a nearby city or explore the great outdoors. You don't have to get on a plane to explore a new place! Traveling - even not far from home - keeps you feeling young and fit even in your 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond.

6. Enjoy an Animal Companion

Animals are loved by people of all ages, and they are sure to delight men and women in their 60s. Companion animals are wonderful for retired men and women or those who are living alone. If you chose to have a dog as your companion animal, walking him or her daily will keep you in shape, too!

7. Spend Time with your Family

Spending time with your loved ones - your family and friends - is a great way to stay happy. It's nice to hang out with our relatives, both younger and older than us to teach them and to learn from them as well.

8. Volunteer

Consider volunteering in your free time. Volunteering is a great way to help others and to help you feel good in your 60s. Consider volunteering with a family member - perhaps your grandsons and granddaughters - to keep the generations in touch.

9. Pick up a Hobby

Pick up a hobby you've always wanted to try or that you enjoyed previously. Consider learning how to knit or crochet or how to play golf. You can also learn how to paint with watercolors or how to play the piano. Hobbies aren't just for kids; they're great for staying mentally fit in your 60s, too!

10. Relax

Don't let stress or worrying get to you. Make sure to smile and to appreciate the good things in life. Exercise and a healthy diet will also help you to de-stress, relax, and stay fit after 60.

Read more of my articles and tips here!

Sources:
http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/living/fit-after-60
http://womenshealth.suite101.com/article.cfm/staying_fit_and_healthy_as_a_woman_over_60