**”I’m too old to start exercising, it won’t help me now.”

**”I’ve never exercised in my life, if I start now, I’ll hurt myself.”

**”What’s the use? I’ve let myself get unhealthy and after all these years, I couldn’t possibly get better.”

Do any of these sound familiar?

These ideas are popular, but without foundation.  In fact, studies show the opposite is true.  With the proper guidance from a qualified professional to get you started, you can:

          Slow down the aging process

          Rid yourself of many aches and pains

          Sometimes even reverse the need for medication

          Eliminate the presence of some age-related diseases

If you are still skeptical about whether exercise is beneficial for adults in their later years, here are 10 more reasons to put your life in motion:

          1.  Weight-bearing/resistance exercise provides significant improvement in bone density.

          2.  Regular exercise may speed up the ability of the body to heal wounds by as much as 25 percent.

          3.  When previously sedentary seniors incorporate exercise into their lifestyles they not only improve physical function, they also experience psychological benefits as well.

          4.  Regular continual exercise over an adult’s life can significantly decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

          5.  Practicing balancing has everything to do with an elderly person’s ability to get around and live independently.

          6.  Adopting a lifestyle of eating right and exercising can reduce periodontal disease – the main cause of loss of teeth.

          7.  Exercise decreases the risk of future problems with climbing stairs or even walking.

          8.  Resistance training (strength training) has repeatedly been shown to be a safe and effective way to reverse muscle loss in the elderly.

          9.  Exercise is more important than worrying about controlling weight when it comes to preventing physical decline in older women.

         10. Minimal exercise for people in their 50s and 60s can extend their life expectancy – especially if they have conditions or habits that endanger their hearts, like diabetes, high blood pressure or smoking.

If you want more information on how you can reap the healthy benefits of starting a daily activity plan, contact your local fitness center, recreational facility or in-home personal trainer for expert advice and assistance.  In Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Sun Lakes and Gilbert, Arizona, you can contact Julia Johnson, certified personal trainer with Life In Motion Fitness, who specializes in at-home fitness programs for people over 50.  She can be reached by calling her at 480-264-9567.  Visit her website www.limseniorfitness.com to get all the information on her services, experience and more.