How to Exercise and Eat Right on Your 60s ? Healthville Expert Advice
As we age, prioritising Diet quality and exercise for optimal musculoskeletal health gets more important. Body composition changes, with a 30–50% decrease in skeletal muscle between the ages of 40 and 80. If you are already 60, now is the time to incorporate more effective exercise and nutrition.
Effective Exercise
The good news is that an increase in physical activity and regular exercise can largely negate these effects of ageing. Resistance training and yoga are our top picks for better physical capability, alongside walking 10 000 steps daily. Adaptations of both the neuromuscular system (to coordinate movements) and the cardiopulmonary system (to more effectively distribute oxygen and nutrients around the body) are just some of the benefits of a healthy, balanced exercise routine.
Yoga to Stay Youthful
Whether it feels a little out of your comfort zone or you’re a seasoned yogi, practising yoga has many proven benefits. Found to have positive effects on cellular ageing, mobility, balance, mental health, and prevention of cognitive decline, yoga classes for over 60’s are designed with respect for your unique needs in mind.Suitable for beginners and providing a holistic, low impact style of exercise, studies show medium improvements in physical mobility in people aged 60+ years who practice yoga.
Protein Powerhouse
The type of diet that supports an active lifestyle is equally important to exercise. Older adults require more protein per kilogram of body weight since consuming protein-rich foods helps to support muscle maintenance. Protein undernutrition results in physical weakness and poor physical function, so the importance of dietary protein cannot be underestimated for older adults.
Protein is known to be more satiating than other macronutrients so making sure you’re not just filling up on one type of macronutrient is important. Your plate should also contain moderate amounts of healthy fats and complex carbohydrates to ensure your nutritional needs are being met.
Do What is Best for You
Exercise and eating enough protein simply go hand in hand. With a natural decline in exercise capacity over 60, there is a need to work smarter, not harder. A little extra thought to the type and quantity of exercise and your eating habits will ultimately avoid overexertion and muscular atrophy (muscle loss).
Let us help you at Healthville
Getting some advice ensures your efforts are serving you well. Having your diet assessed by a Naturopath, Nutritionist or Dietician can help to tailor your eating style, define your exact protein requirements and support healthy muscle recovery. There’s nothing quite like that exhilarating feeling from exercise – so let’s support your body to stay fabulous beyond your 60s! Get in touch with us at Healthville today to receive expert advice.
