Exercise: More Important Than Ever By Leigh Anne Richards

Exercise: More Important Than Ever

My friend, John Hanc, a writer from Long Island, New York, has done several interviews with me over the years about basic fitness trends. He writes for several nationally published newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times and, Runners World about fitness-related topics. I’m excited that this Alabamian and New Yorker can come together to write this article for you!

During the pandemic, we talked about how our exercise had been affected and how we were coping. He is an avid runner, works out with a personal trainer and practices yoga. John, like the rest of us, is a BOOMER and exercise has been a part of his life for 40 years.

When the stay-at-home order was put in place in both New York and Montgomery, the one thing that was not taken away was going outside to walk, run or do any kind of physical activity in our homes.

As most of you are aware, COVID – 19 virus seems to hit the older population

feelings of Fitness over Fifty hopelessness. Anybody out by Leigh Anne Richards there struggling with these or still struggling? Research shows and the people with chronic diseases the hardest. Some chronic diseases include help with that too! that exercise can Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity, etc., all conditions that can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity Even if you have exercised during the pandemic, a lot of us lost our ability to work out together in a group fitness setting. Yes, you can get those feel-good So if I can shout this from the roof tops (without a mask on), NOW should be a wakehormones when exercising at home, but what happens when your time to connect with people and socialize was at your local gym? up call to get active! In fact, COVID-19 should be a wake-up call for all of us to get us moving and healthy—not just for our physical health, but our mental health as well. Even though many of you could not be in your exercise class or your walking group, technology became a way to work out together. ZOOM has become a popular way to get to see your friends and exercise. While you still can’t be in the same room together, sharing the joys John and I also discussed the importance of mental health during and challenges of a Spin class, you are still able to look at the faces, talk and laugh while working out. this pandemic. We’ve seen an increase of stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness, John pointed out that he felt like us BOOMERS became more familiar with technology during this time in order

to stay active and be able to keep in touch with people. You had to learn ZOOM to stay in contact with your grandchildren, committee meetings, etc. Heck, even happy hour and cocktail parties have been done through ZOOM.

Many of you have had to learn about Fitness apps to stay active with types of exercises you were either doing with your trainer or your exercise class. If you haven’t discovered it already, social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram and Facebook are great sources of information for exercise videos and followalong exercise formats.

If social media isn’t your thing, I also have several friends that bought a Peloton bike during the pandemic to stay active. Peloton’s stock has soared because you not only get a bike but so many other exercise formats to do in the privacy of your home.

The point? Technology keeps us connected, and we as BOOMERS have been forced to learn. And if we’re honest, we think it’s a good thing for us!

John and I agree that the Pandemic has made us appreciate our desire to exercise and stay fit more than ever. Even if you’re stuck at home—it’s never too late to start! It doesn’t have to be extreme or complicated, just find ways to move and have fun! And if you need help figuring out what to do, Google “exercises for Boomers.” I guarantee you’ll find plenty of ideas and videos.

Although New York and Alabama are miles apart and culturally very different, the commonality is the importance and value of our health and wellness, with physical activity at the top of the list!

John Hanc has authored or co-authored 18 books, including several award-winning memoirs and a number of successful works of prescriptive nonfiction. As a journalist Hanc, is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and a long-time contributing writer for Newsday. His work has also appeared in the Boston Globe, Columbia Journalism Review, Family Circle, Runner’s World, Smithsonian and other publications. Hanc teaches journalism at New York Institute of Technology and is a member of the Harvard Medical School’s annual three -day course Writing, Publishing and Social Media for Health care Professionals

Leigh Anne Richards, MEd, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, General Manager- MetroFitness. For any questions or comments, contact Leigh Anne at LAMetrofit@aol.com

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