Q: What are some movement habits I can adopt to maintain an active lifestyle as I age?
A: “It’s important to move every day,” says physical therapist and Pilates instructor Ron Jegadeesh, owner of Pilates Fitness & Physical Therapy Center.
Whether it’s walking, biking, gardening, or taking an exercise class, just 10 to 20 minutes of daily exercise makes a difference. “Patients I see who make exercise part of their daily routine look and act younger,” Jegadeesh says. “Also, they’re more likely to stay injury-free and to recover much quicker from an injury than those who do not exercise.”
Jegadeesh recommends including these healthy movement habits:
• Change positions frequently. Don’t sit or stand for long periods of time. If you have a sedentary job, be sure to stand up and take a break every hour.
• Practice correct posture and alignment. Sit and stand tall with the spine neutral, shoulders relaxed, and your head on top of your spine.
• Add strength training to your exercise routine. “We lose muscle mass as we age,” Jegadeesh explains. “Adding resistance to a workout will help maintain muscle tone. Pilates is an excellent way to gain strength while maintaining proper alignment.”