Exercise for Folks Over 65

As we get older our bodies become more fragile and we may feel like we don't have the strength or stamina to get out and exercise. However, even in the face of old age, it's important to get our bodies moving to preserve and improve our health. Some people over the age of 65 are just giving up, assuming that they'll never again see the good shape they were in during their younger years. The truth is, they are dead wrong!

As our bodies age, we do not recover from physical exertion as quickly as we once did. Do you remember how resilient you were when you were young? Perhaps you could run for miles, play tennis for hours, lift weights or even chop wood in your parents' backyard! Nowadays, many of those actions might seem unthinkable to you. Challenge yourself to revisit a more youthful state of mind. Sure, you may not be able to run a marathon, swing an ax, or pump iron like you once did, but there are many activities you can still perform to keep your body feeling young and healthy. As mentioned before, it takes a lot longer to recover from stress being placed on your body now than it used to. With that said, you simply have to increase your physical fitness level over time.

It's important to talk to your doctor first to make sure you're fit for the physical activities you wish to perform. Ask your doctor for help formulating or modifying your exercise regimen according to your needs. Remember, exercise will supplement the coverage provided in your Sarasota Florida health plan, keeping you healthier longer and thus keeping health care costs and insurance premiums to a minimum. If you don't have health coverage, stop what you're doing right now and contact a Florida health insurance agent to discuss your options for Sarasota health plans.

Good Exercises for People Over 65:

Walking - Walking is an excellent way of getting exercise for people of all ages. It can be as easy or as intense as you desire. Start by walking for about 15 minutes at a slow pace, and then slowly increase your walk time to 30 minutes and then up to an hour if you're motivated. Not only is walking easy, it also has relatively low impact.

Yoga - Stretch your physical AND mental muscles while at the same time learning great ways to relax, improve mental focus, and relieve stress. Yoga is recommended for all ages, and most yoga schools offer special modified classes just for seniors.

Swimming - Swimming is not only great exercise, it's fun! A simple, healthy way to relax, swimming strengthens the muscles, including the heart, and relieves the discomfort of back pain and swollen joints. Even severely handicapped individuals can benefit from the effects of swimming.

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Serving central and west coast Florida, Bay Marketing, a licensed independent contractor with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, has been providing Sarasota insurance plan information for individuals and employers during the last twenty years. Many of their professional agents specialize in both individual and commercial health insurance for the florida business owner. Call 941-922-9000 / 800-329-1569 or contact Bay Marketing for an online individual and group insurance quote at Florida Health Plans Online.

Author Elliot Bigman.

Tips for Boosting Your Immune Health

If you've begun weighing your options for Sarasota health plans, then you've already taken steps toward making sure you're getting the health coverage you need. Aside from becoming a Sarasota health insurance customer, there are numerous ways you can protect your immune health in a proactive effort to avoid having to seek medical help for health complications in the future. Building a strong immune system is a precursor to making sure you're protected from illness and disease caused by bacteria we encounter every day. Need some ideas for turbocharging your immune system? Read on.

Stock up on raw fruits and veggies for their vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and fiber. Many vitamins, such as vitamin C, are antioxidants and will protect immune cells from damage caused by environmental toxins. Dark-colored fruits and veggies (broccoli, kale, seaweed, berries, etc.) tend to be higher in polyphenols, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. The nutritional content that you receive from raw fruits and veggies is unparalleled.

Lemons restore the acid-alkali balance in the body. Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in water, using it in baking or cooking, or adding it to tea and salad dressings helps maintain the body's internal climate at a pH that's supportive of healthy bacteria, as opposed to harmful bacteria which thrive in more acidic environments. Consuming apple cider vinegar is another great way to improve your body's alkalinity.

Protein is an essential building block for a healthy immune system. People who don't get enough protein tend to compensate with carbs which convert to glucose, thereby increasing blood sugar and stressing the pancreas and the immune system. The bottom line here: make sure you're getting plenty of protein.

Drink plenty of water. Despite constant reminders, people still aren't getting enough water. Thirst is not the only sign of dehydration. A number of seemingly unrelated symptoms can manifest due to lack of water intake - headaches, for instance. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in water. So, take your weight in pounds and divide by 2. That will equal the number of ounces of water you should have per day. In the spirit of hydration, try to cut back on caffeine, which not only robs your body of vitamins and minerals - it dehydrates you. If you drink coffee, be sure to add two glasses to your water intake per cup.

Stop consuming refined sugar, and you will see noticeable results in your energy levels, immunity and even your ability to think clearly. Refined sugar is devoid of all nutrients and is typically made of pure carbohydrates. Refined white sugar elevates blood sugar levels and is considered to be empty calories as it offers no nutritional substance at all. Many nutritionists consider sugar a drug for its impact on the human body. It's best to avoid artificial sweeteners, too, as they are more toxic than cane sugar. If you need to use sugar, consider unrefined raw sugar which is made from the juice of the sugar cane plant and has trace minerals and nutrients present.

By taking steps like these to boost your immunity and by having a good Sarasota health insurance plan, you are mapping out a future of disease prevention and good health for yourself.

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Serving central and west coast Florida, Bay Marketing, a licensed independent contractor with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, has been providing Sarasota insurance plan information for individuals and employers during the last twenty years. Many of their professional agents specialize in both individual and commercial health insurance for the florida business owner. Call 941-922-9000 / 800-329-1569 or contact Bay Marketing for an online individual and group insurance quote at Florida Health Plans Online.

Author Elliot Bigman.