Getting Older and Tryin’ to Stay Fit!

Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated. Doing something is better than doing nothing.

I know running is an excellent activity for people as they get older.  For me, it seems to be the ONLY thing that will take the weight off and provide the necessary benefits which can offset the effects of aging & heart disease, which according to webmd.com is a killer for African Americans.

“Before age 50, African-Americans’ heart failure rate is 20 times higher than that of whites, according to the study. Four risk factors are the strongest predictors of heart failure: high blood pressure (also called hypertension), chronic kidney disease, being overweight, and having low levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol. Three-fourths of African-Americans who develop heart failure have high blood pressure by age 40.”

From the 30s onwards, a number of physical changes take place in the average person’s body.

www.bootcampsf.com class at AT&T Park

www.bootcampsf.com class at AT&T Park

Aerobic capacity decreases, muscle mass reduces, muscle elasticity reduces, lung elasticity declines, bone density reduces, the metabolism slows, body fat increases and the immune system becomes weaker.

These changes will have an adverse impact on running performance. The fall in aerobic capacity, reduced stride length, reduced leg strength, and reduced ability to store energy all contribute to deterioration in performance. In fact, according to runners world.com, it is thought that running speeds over any distance deteriorate by about 1% a year from a peak at some point in the 30s; and we appear to lose aerobic capacity at about 9-10% a decade.

So it’s clear – the benefits of running are there: reductions in the risks of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer; reduced depression and anxiety; weight control; improved bones, muscles and joints; improved mobility and coordination, and a psychological sense of well-being.  What is especially important for black men my age, is that the risk of developing these conditions grows as we get older, so the benefits of running are increased.

I don’t move like I used to. Getting older and tryin’ to stay fit ain’t easy, but I’ve got to stick with it.

For me, running seems to be the only exercise that will take off the weight!

For me, running seems to be the only exercise that will take off the weight!

I’m gonna do what I can do and do it consistently, then worry about improving it later.  Getting started is everything – and if you see me struggling – send a shout out!

Help to keep me inspired!