You may not need a gym membership if you can pass these everyday health
tests. See how many you can answer "yes"
to. 1、Do you: Feel energized 14 hours after waking up? (If you woke up at 7
a.m., you should still feel awake and active at 9
p.m.). Exercise is a known energy booster, and if you feel completely zonked at the
end of the day, chances are an overly sedentary lifestyle is at least partly to
blame. One large study, which analyzed 70 papers on exercise and fatigue that
involved more than 6,800 people, found that sedentary people who followed a
regular exercise program had less fatigue than people who didn’t work out,
according to
WebMD. 2、Can you: Carry large containers of milk or water in each hand,
without feeling strain? Being able to tote a gallon (which weighs about 8 pounds) isn’t just about
the size of your biceps. That strength also comes from your shoulders, back,
chest, knees, and more—all important muscle groups to keep strong as you get
older. A lack of strength can make you more vulnerable to injury, as well as
conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis and even depression and dementia. One
Tufts University study found that after older adults with arthritis followed a
strength training program for 16 weeks, their pain levels decreased by 43
percent. 3、Can you: Jump up and down 10 times, without causing your heart to
race? This is a sign of a well-controlled heart rate (and good cardiovascular
fitness). A gym class or workout routine that emphasizes interval training is a
great way to boost your endurance and lower your resting heart rate. A lower
resting pulse means your heart has to beat less—and should in turn last
longer. 4、Can you: Trim your toenails standing up—without any discomfort from
the bending? Shocked at how inflexible you are? Well, let’s work on that. Being able to
stretch without pain is important not only for bone and joint conditions like
arthritis and osteoporosis, but it may also be a clue about other issues like
heart health. One study in the American Journal of Physiology found that the
inability to stretch past your toes was associated with arterial stiffness, a
precursor to heart disease. Incorporate stretch-and-strength yoga-style
exercises into your weekly workout
regimen. 5、Can you: Raise your foot as high as your hip when
kicking? Another example of flexibility and strength; if you have trouble with this
exercise, yoga-style classes and moves that stretch your hips will help you
improve. 6、Can you: Twist and look behind you without moving your
feet? This test demonstrates good core strength and flexibility; both keys for a
strong, healthy, pain-free
back. 7、Can you: Load your luggage into the storage bin above your airplane
or train seat without strain? This is partly about technique (you can’t just heave it up there) and partly
about back, core, and leg strength. Many of us who focus our workouts around
cardio—and skip spine-boosting exercises like yoga, Pilates, and strength
training—will have weaker backs than we’d
like. 8、Can you: Carry a large basket of clothing up and down two staircases,
without struggle or strain? This is a test of strength, cardiovascular endurance, and balance; climbing
stairs requires more stamina and energy than walking the equivalent amount of
steps. Unfortunately, today’s modern world of escalators and elevators provides
few chances for stair climbing. If you fail this fitness test, try working more
stair-climbing opportunities into your day. Walk up and down the steps in your
home while on the phone, or opt to use the stairs in your office building or
department stores or
malls. 9、Can you: Dance to a fast beat for more than 10 minutes without
feeling winded? A growing body of research shows that you don’t need to endure continuous
long workouts to reap health perks. In fact, short intense bursts of exercise
(10 to 15 minutes) may burn more fat and build more muscle than an hour of
chugging along on the treadmill. Try these 1-minute fat releasing moves to get
started. 10、Can you: Walk for 30 minutes straight without getting
tired? A daily walk of at least 20 minutes is linked to so many health boosts, you
can’t even list them all here. But among the top include helping with weight
loss and maintenance, boosting mood and energy levels, lowering blood sugar and
blood pressure, and
more. How did you do? For someone over the age of 45, you’re in pretty good physical shape if you
can handle these mini-fitness tests. And if you can’t? Build up slowly with a
mix of exercises that emphasize cardiovascular fitness, strength training, and
flexibility, the trifecta of fitness skills needed for a long and healthy
life. |
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