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Section: Being Well

Staying Fit —Your Fountain of Youth
By Jenna Brinkworth

Did you know the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health report that there is a fountain of youth? It can easily be yours, and millions have already discovered it. If you want to feel better and enjoy an improved quality of life, all you have to do is be physically active. Before you say “not me,” read a bit more.

Just achieving a total of at least 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity (on five days a week, as recommended by the U.S. surgeon general) you can improve heart health, lower risk for or help manage diabetes, reduce arthritis pain, anxiety and depression.

The nonprofit Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo recommends first consulting with your health care provider and then selecting an activity that you enjoy, like walking at a mall with friends, swimming, Tai Chi, tuning into one of the early morning chair exercise programs on television, or a physical activity program at your local YMCA, senior or community center to reap the benefits of safe fun physical activity with other older adults.

Being physically active regularly will improve the quality of your life this new year and for many more to come. Call the Wellness Institute to request the a Passport to Wellness kit for older adults for fun physical activity resources.

For more information, call 851-4052, write to beactive@city-buffalo.org, or visit www.BeActiveNys.org.

Jenna Brinkworth is the director of older adult programs for the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo.


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