Baby Boomers and Health Problems

You may have promised yourself that you would never end up looking like your parent; overweight, inactive, and with various health problems. Some of us have already broken that promise.  Many of baby boomers have a dual role of taking care of children and elderly parents. These time constraints mean lunches and dinners are often fast-food choices, and there is little time for any physical activity other than it takes to keep their home or job running smoothly.

Studies show that sixty percent of the population is either obese or overweight. This means heart health is in trouble in our nation. Just being overweight can cause problems with your heart. The heavier you are, the more at risk for cardiovascular disease you are. Being overweight also increases your chances of high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The higher these numbers are, the more risk you have of developing a clot large enough to block the blood flow to the heart.

Studies show that even if you have normal sized arms and legs but have a bulging belly, you are still at risk for heart disease. Research shows the larger your belly is, the more risk you have of having a heart related problem.

Reducing your waistline and bringing down your weight can play a big part in decreasing your risk of heart disease. One way to do both is through regular exercise. Research has proven exercise does more than just give you a better looking body, it’s also important in keeping your heart healthy. Statistics tell us, people who exercise regularly have a 50 percent lower risk of having chest pains or a heart attack. People who exercise regularly live longer even if they smoke. In fact, they may live longer than a nonsmoker who doesn’t exercise.

There are many benefits of exercise to your heart health. You will probably lose weight, or keep a lower weight, lower your cholesterol, and maintain a lower blood pressure. Exercise also affects the heart by keeping blood vessels healthy. Regular exercise will reduce your heart rate and blood pressure, and that will reduce demand on the heart. If you already have cardiovascular disease, you can help keep your heart rhythm normal and expand smaller blood vessels to keep blood flowing around an area that may already be clogged.

Doctors tell us, exercise is the best prescription you can follow for a healthy heart. If you are not used to exercising, start slowly. Try taking a walk around the block once a day, then twice a day, or stretch your walk out to two blocks. It’s important to listen to your body and not overdo it when you begin. Starting slowly will help your heart, encourage you to do more, and exercise will make you over-all healthier.

Another form of exercise for baby boomers to consider is the practice of Yoga. Yoga is low impact and concentrates on breathing and relaxation techniques. Any one of any size or age can start doing Yoga and have an impact on their health. Adding in the relaxation methods used in yoga practice and you can bring down your blood pressure and release stress that may be harmful to your heart. Yoga has proven to be effective in relieving stress, calming nerves, and promoting heart health. Many fitness clubs now offer yoga classes with certified trainers that can help beginners start yoga safely. Yoga practice urges you to listen to your body and build up to working to your full capacity. Special needs can be discussed with the trainer and routines custom-made to fit your body.

If there are no classes available, check out yoga tapes and other low impact tapes that will guide your new exercise routine.

It doesn’t matter which exercise you start with, what’s important is to make it a regular part of your life. Walking is the easiest and least expensive way to start exercising. Be sure to buy a good pair of walking shoes to protect you feet and you’re all set. Many malls allow walkers to walk inside during bad weather; some park districts also have indoor walking tracks available to the public.

Before starting any physical exercise routine, contact your doctor. He may also recommend the exercise for you.