Fit & Fabulous

Horizons in Hemophilia, October 2009

Penny Kumpf, RN, VWD Community Outreach Nurse 

It has been said that if we could put fitness in a pill there would be no chronic illness.  Have you been wondering why you can’t touch your toes, look over your shoulder like you use to when you back out of the driveway, or stay awake to hear the teenagers come in?  Well guess what...our bodies are aging but you can be fit and fabulous as you age, even into your 90s.

One of the committees created at Hemophilia of Georgia is the Aging Healthy Committee.  As a committee we have been impressed with all the services that are available to help men and women who have bleeding disorders age well with few complications. Physical activity is huge!

Statistics show that we are living longer and the over-100 age group has seen the largest increase.  So now you have to ask yourself "do I want to be able to do the things I would like to do into my 70s, 80s and beyond?"  Exercise is your magic pill!

A balanced exercise program should include:

• Stretching your body. While stretching, hold each stretch for at least 30 to 60 seconds.
• Balancing - you can even do this on one leg while brushing your teeth.
• Aerobic exercise (cardio) for at least 30 minutes on most days.  This includes walking and can be spread out through out the day.
• Weightlifting at least twice a week with weights that tax you after 8 to 10 repetitions.
• Exercise your brain with a new activity like Scrabble®, crossword puzzles or learning something new.

Adding physical activity to your life can help make you fit and fabulous.

For more great reading on this subject go to www.aarpmagazine.org/health/seven_reasons.html.