KEEP
MOVING
A Daily Dose of Exercise
With its ability to help ward off diseases,
prevent injuries and boost your mood,
exercise can be a truly powerful “medicine.”
BY JULIE K ENDRICK
twice each week, an 85-year-
old woman dons workout gear (her
favorite T-shirt says “Super Diva”)
and meets with her personal trainer
for a one-hour session. The two
began working together nearly 20
years ago after she recovered from
colon cancer. These days, they move
through a series of cardio, weight,
resistance, stretching, core work
26 | “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” —Lord of the Rings
and balance exercises, including
chest presses, leg curls, push-ups
and planks. Workout complete, she
hurries off to her job — as Supreme
Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Has this commitment to exercise
helped Ginsburg to keep cancer at
bay, maintain a grueling schedule
and stay mentally sharp? More than
likely, yes. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) states
that while genetics play a role in
susceptibility to disease (such as
Regular exercise
obesity or diabetes), it’s also true is good for
that lifestyle may help prevent
these diseases. Not only that, even our bodies.
moderate movement can help lift —Dean Somerset,
gloomy feelings and improve mood. certified exercise physiologist
and certified strength and
Good in Any Amount
conditioning specialist
“Regular exercise is good for our
bodies,” says Dean Somerset, a
certified exercise physiologist and schedule of exercise can help you to
certified strength and conditioning maintain self-care. You can simply
specialist (CSCS). “Exercise is not walk around your home and enjoy
what I call ‘dose dependent,’ either, your environment, and that helps
because there may be benefits with you have a better quality of life. And
any amount you do.” the more you exercise, the more
Regular exercise can improve your you will want to do, until exercise
cardiovascular system, strengthen becomes part of your daily routine.”
bones to ward off osteoporosis, the program, he ate healthy and along with representatives from the
and help you build and maintain Pathway to Health participated in weekly meetings. CDC, YMCA and National Institutes
muscular strength, according to the While it can be challenging to start Two and a half years later, he has of Health. “I was a ‘poster child’ for
CDC. Exercise might also help you and stick with a schedule of regular lost nearly 60 pounds, with the goal the program’s success,” he says.
avoid or postpone joint-replacement exercise, the health benefits can to lose another 25 pounds, and has Patsy Lillehei, 75, is another
surgery. be truly significant. One inspiring experienced complete relief from the exercise success story. She began
example is John Humphrey, age 70. health issues that had made walking participating in local triathlons
Big Benefits The St. Louis Park, Minn., resident painful. 10 years ago. “I was the only woman
Building strength through exercise was struggling with health issues “They asked us to commit to over 60 competing in my first
is important for good health. For that made walking painful, which 150 minutes of exercise a week. Now triathlon,” she says, “but I was
example, working to build a stronger contributed to weight gain. I have increased my exercise a lot,” awarded a first-place trophy.” She also
core or improving your balance After learning about a prediabetes he says. “Best of all, I feel good.” swims competitively, and was part
may give you better neuromuscular lifestyle change program piloted by As a result of his success in the of the 2017 winning team for her age
control, and that could help reduce the CDC and offered through his local program, Humphrey was recently group in the women’s 200 medley
the risk of falls. Somerset has an YMCA, Humphrey discovered that invited to Washington, D.C., to relay of the U.S. Masters Swimming
easy at-home balance-builder: “Try he loved water aerobics and began speak at a congressional briefing on Summer National Championships.
regularly standing on one foot, to take classes regularly. Through the Diabetes Prevention Program, While she clearly thrives on the
Illustration by catchfire
then switching to the other. That competition, Lillehei stresses a
can make a difference when you greater benefit to her activities: “I’m
encounter a moment of being off healthy, I’ve made new friends and I
Sign in to your plan website and go to Health
balance.” & Wellness, then click Lifestyle for exercises have a purpose — to stay fit and have
A few minutes of exercise a day that may help (or prevent) certain conditions. fun.” Remember, check with your
can reap long-term health benefits, myAARPMedicare.com doctor before beginning any new
Somerset says. “Keeping a regular exercise program. •
by UnitedHealthcare | 27