The importance of moving your body

The low-impact chair classes are designed to improve students’ strength, flexibility and mobility according to their needs and physical restrictions. Class begins at 8:15 a.m. and meets M-W-F from September through May.

The low-impact chair classes are designed to improve students’ strength, flexibility and mobility according to their needs and physical restrictions. Class begins at 8:15 a.m. and meets M-W-F from September through May.

Step aerobics classes meet at 7:00 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting September 5 in the Fitness Center at Robson Ranch. Steps, mats and towels are provided; just wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes and come ready for some fun.

Step aerobics classes meet at 7:00 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting September 5 in the Fitness Center at Robson Ranch. Steps, mats and towels are provided; just wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes and come ready for some fun.

Judi Lewinski

We all want to feel better and have more energy, but how do we know if we are doing what it takes to achieve these goals? Most of us used to run around the house or office all day, climb stairs, chase kids, carry heavy loads and use muscles all day long.

Now that the joys of retirement are here, our lifestyles have changed. That’s the good news, but the bad news is that as we are less active, aches, pains and bloating increase. Though we have no control over aging, we do have control over other issues. Most bloating is nature’s way of retaining fluids in your body to ‘water down’ the toxins that are not being eliminated. This may cause fuzzy thinking, sore joints, poor digestion and heartburn, just to name a few. The build-up of toxins may also prevent your body from absorbing much of the vitamins from foods you eat. The results are low energy, sluggishness, puffiness and difficulty losing weight. Many doctors are now becoming aware that inactivity is as much of a health risk as smoking.

Remember that all activity can increase your circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. This means eliminating more toxins, too. Increased activity also encourages communication between parts of your brain that control memory, language skills and your ability to focus and multi-task. By increasing your activity 30 minutes or more a day you can improve your ability to maintain a good healthy brain, get more restful sleep, feel less pain, improve your immunity and reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches.

“It’s never too late and you’re never too old,” says Judi Lewinski, one of the fitness trainers at Robson’s Fitness Center. “In fact, regularly moving your body can help prevent or manage a wide range of health problems, including dementia, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, depression and much more.”

Are you ready to get more active? Contact your doctor for restrictions, especially if you are on medications. If you have been inactive for a while, start slowly. You may want to enlist the help of a professional that can safely guide you within your limitations.

This information is presented to you by Judi Lewinski, who teaches the Chair Challenge Classes (8:15 a.m.) and the Step Aerobics Classes (7:00 a.m.) at the Robson Fitness Center. Both of these one-hour classes resume September 5 (Labor Day) and continue every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through May. Judi says, “Just bring your bottle of water and a positive attitude. Come have fun with us while you get healthier! And bring a friend.”

Your first class is free, and prices range from $3 to $5 depending on the package you choose. For more information contact Judi at [email protected].

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis