Active Living Program News
Active Living Every Day a Success with Older Adults
Jim Bald, 76, lost 57 pounds and increased his energy level. Deanna Richardson, 58, conquered pain in her knees, lost weight, and hopes to build endurance for a 10K competition. Estelle Zimmerman, 71, dropped several dress sizes and found a new zest for living. How did they do it? By completing Active Living Every Day, a behavior change course designed to help sedentary adults become—and stay—active.
Jim, Deanna, and Estelle participated in Active Living Every Day at OASIS in San Antonio, Texas. OASIS is a national educational organization for older adults. Funded through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Active Living Every Day is part of the foundation's four-year "Active for Life" initiative aimed at increasing the activity rate of Americans 50 and older.
Unfortunately, many people have developed a long list of excuses for avoiding physical activity. "I'm too tired." "I'm embarrassed to go to the gym." "I look terrible in shorts." "I don't have time to exercise." And so goes the litany. And it’s true: It can be hard to set aside time for a daily workout, and push-ups can get boring mighty fast.
That's why Active Living Every Day takes a different approach. Participants are encouraged to find activities that they like, such as walking, dancing, or gardening, and build them into their routine every day to get the health benefits of being more active.
For example, homemakers might be encouraged to walk up and down all the aisles at the supermarket when they go for groceries, whether they need anything from the aisles or not. Dedicated "shopaholics" might be told to take three or four turns around the mall when they hit the sales. TV addicts might be told to get up and jog in place during commercials.
Ruth Ann Carpenter, one of the authors of Active Living Every Day, believes most Americans have allowed themselves to get soft. She quotes the U.S. surgeon general, who claims that 25 percent of the adult population is sedentary—which means 40 million to 50 million people. "And one in four is a true couch potato who rarely does anything more strenuous than change channels with the remote," Carpenter adds.
“Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating back-breaking labor," Carpenter emphasizes. "But I do think people need to think more about walking rather than driving, and climbing the stairs rather than taking the elevator all the time. We need to concentrate on the simple little things that can keep us in shape."
Moderate-intensity physical activity offers many of the same health benefits as more strenuous activity, and it’s a more appealing option for older adults. A new study from the University of Michigan indicates that physical activity can help control escalating health care costs for sedentary adults. Lower blood pressure, less reliance on medications, weight loss, and improved mood and well-being are all possible as a result of increased physical activity.
To learn more about Active Living Every Day, click here. To locate an Active Living Every Day licensed center in your area, click here.
Sources
Budge, Rose Mary. Daily-activity class helps older people lose weight, gain enthusiasm. San Antonio Express-News, April 27, 2004. www.mysantonio.com.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Relationship of body mass index and physical activity to health care costs. May 2004; volume 46, number 5.
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