Please Checkup yourself on the following:
Do you: Feel energized 14 hours after
waking up? (If you woke up at 7 a.m., you should still feel awake and active at
9 p.m.).
Exercise is a
known energy booster, and if you feel completely zonked at the end of the day,
chances are an overly sedentary lifestyle is at least partly to blame. One
large study, which analyzed 70 papers on exercise and fatigue that involved
more than 6,800 people, found that sedentary people who followed a regular
exercise program had less fatigue than people who didn’t work out, according to
WebMD.
Can you: Carry large containers of milk or
water in each hand, without feeling strain?
Being able to
tote a gallon (which weighs about 8 pounds) isn’t just about the size of your
biceps. That strength also comes from your shoulders, back, chest, knees, and
more—all important muscle groups to keep strong as you get older. A lack of
strength can make you more vulnerable to injury, as well as conditions like
arthritis, osteoporosis and even depression and dementia. One Tufts University
study found that after older adults with arthritis followed a strength training
program for 16 weeks, their pain levels decreased by 43 percent.
Can you: Jump up and down 10 times, without
causing your heart to race?
This
is a sign of a well-controlled heart rate (and good cardiovascular fitness). A
gym class or workout routine that emphasizes interval training is a great way
to boost your endurance and lower your resting heart rate. A lower resting
pulse means your heart has to beat less—and should in turn last longer.
Can you: Trim your toenails standing
up—without any discomfort from the bending?
Shocked
at how inflexible you are? Well, let’s work on that. Being able to stretch
without pain is important not only for bone and joint conditions like arthritis
and osteoporosis, but it may also be a clue about other issues like heart
health. One study in the American
Journal of Physiology found that the inability to stretch past your
toes was associated with arterial stiffness, a precursor to heart disease.
Incorporate stretch-and-strength yoga-style exercises into your weekly workout
regimen.
Can you: Raise your foot as high as your
hip when kicking?
Another
example of flexibility and strength; if you have trouble with this exercise,
yoga-style classes and moves that stretch your hips will help you improve.
Can you: Twist and look behind you without
moving your feet?
This test
demonstrates good core strength and flexibility; both keys for a strong,
healthy, pain-free back.
Can you: Load your luggage into the storage
bin above your airplane or train seat without strain?
This
is partly about technique (you can’t just heave it up there) and partly about
back, core, and leg strength. Many of us who focus our workouts around
cardio—and skip spine-boosting exercises like yoga, Pilates, and strength
training—will have weaker backs than we’d like.
Can you: Carry a large basket of clothing
up and down two staircases, without struggle or strain?
This is a
test of strength, cardiovascular endurance, and balance; climbing stairs
requires more stamina and energy than walking the equivalent amount of steps.
Unfortunately, today’s modern world of escalators and elevators provides few
chances for stair climbing. If you fail this fitness test, try working more
stair-climbing opportunities into your day. Walk up and down the steps in your
home while on the phone, or opt to use the stairs in your office building or
department stores or malls.
Can you: Dance to a fast beat for more than
10 minutes without feeling winded
A growing
body of research shows that you don’t need to endure continuous long workouts
to reap health perks. In fact, short intense bursts of exercise (10 to 15
minutes) may burn more fat and build more muscle than an hour of chugging along
on the treadmill. Try these 1-minute fat releasing moves to get
started.
Can you: Walk for 30 minutes straight
without getting tired?
A daily walk of
at least 20 minutes is linked to so many health boosts, you can’t even
list
them all here. But among the top include helping with weight loss and
maintenance, boosting mood and energy levels, lowering blood sugar and blood
pressure, and more.
How did you do? Your Results.
"If you couldn't do all, build
up slowly with a mix of exercises that
emphasize cardiovascular fitness,
strength training, and flexibility, the
trifecta of fitness skills needed for a
long and healthy life. But if you could
handle them, and especially if you're
over the age of 45, you’re in pretty
good physical shape."