The best time to exercise

Let your body, not the clock, be your guide. Some of us swear by a morning workout to get our day started off on the right foot. Maybe others prefer a good walk after dinner.

Is one time better than another for maximum benefit? What determines the best time for you is how you feel. You’ll get so much more from your workout both mentally and physically, if you schedule it the time of day you have more energy.

Sometimes, stiff or achy joints can slow you down in the morning. So, if you’re going to exercise early, you need to take some extra time to get ready.

Perhaps taking a warm shower or going with your daily personal routine would help get you mentally and physically prepared for your workout.

This will motivate you to enjoy your activity much more!

If you get tired through the day with your daily routine, that early morning workout would be a good choice. If you’ve waited too long and you’re exhausted or tired, you can just pick a better time the next day.

But, you need to make sure you get some exercise, whenever your schedule and body can accommodate it.

If you have a flare-up of joint pain due to arthritis or some other problem and it sidelines you for a few days, you can change or modify your fitness routine. Joint stiffness should not keep us from moving.

Maybe it would not be the right time to go for a brisk walk, but slow stroll, even in your home, would be a good choice.

Try to keep your body in motion, which will help keep your joints lubricated.

Remember, exercise does starve off premature aging. Stress accelerates aging. Fitness programs can help balance your stress and prevent a broad range of aging-related diseases.

Regular exercise is a way to counteract the total aging process. You can influence how fast or how slow you are aging!

Who needs extra signs of aging, when it can be helped and prevented by moving your body regularly! Slow and steady wins the race!

Lewis County Senior Health and Fitness: 796-5564