Staying Fit at any Age

Are you feeling challenged to stay fit as you get older? If so, you’re not alone.

At The Terraces at Bonita Springs, we are committed to helping you live a happier and healthier life with our Vitality Program. As a new resident, you can choose to have an initial health and wellness assessment, from which we create a customized Vitality Plan focused on mind, body and spirit.

A healthy diet and a little exercise aren’t always enough to keep you feeling your best. As you age, it’s important to switch your focus to bone health, staying strong and maintaining flexibility to continue to participate in the activities you love.

Bone Health

For seniors, maintaining fitness can become more challenging than for younger adults, but it’s achievable with good habits. The strength of your muscles and bones play a key role in your ability to continue exercising. Check with your doctor to make certain that you’re getting enough vitamin D and calcium.

If vitamin D and calcium aren’t enough to keep your bones healthy, you may need additional protein to help preserve the muscle tissue you already have. At The Terraces at Bonita Springs, you can use our dietary services to learn how to meet your daily requirements.

Stay Strong

Research has found that older adults often need to work harder to maintain muscle mass than they did when they were younger. To prevent muscle loss, many seniors find it advantageous to participate in weight training.

Adding weight training to your fitness routine should be gradual. If you’ve never lifted weights before, consult with your doctor and work with a trainer to perfect your form and avoid injury. Consider joining a group fitness class in beginner weight training to further solidify your form.

Maintain Flexibility

Joint preservation is critical to maintaining fitness in later years. To keep your hips and knees working properly, focus on aerobic exercises that are easy on your joints — such as walking, swimming and biking — and scale back on higher-impact exercises like running.

At The Terraces at Bonita Springs, we offer residents full access to an indoor and outdoor pool and the opportunity to participate in yoga, Pilates and additional fitness classes focused on flexibility.

Staying Fit Can Begin Today

No matter your current level of fitness, the key to getting in shape — and staying that way — is developing a routine you can sustain over time.

It can take as few as 21 days to form a habit. Challenge yourself to stick to a routine over the next three weeks and fitness could become simply a way of life.