Endurance & the ability to “Hang in There”
Do you ever feel out of breath completing simple, routine tasks,
such as getting up to turn off a light, going to the rest room, or even keeping
up with a conversation? Do you ever experience confusion while performing physical
activities? Is taking a few steps while maintaining proper breathing and heart
rate a challenge? If so, it’s time to take charge of your endurance!
Endurance exercises are exercises that challenge your heart rate
and breathing rate. Taking part in endurance exercise has several potential benefits
such as keeping your heart, lungs and circulatory system healthy. These
exercises can improve your overall fitness and over time may help you complete
everyday tasks more easily.
Endurance exercises can be functional activities such as
sweeping or dancing. They can also be more “traditional” forms of exercise like
walking, jogging, or doing light exercises for an extended amount of time. The
American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of physical activity to decrease
the risk of several diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and strokes.
When building endurance, remember to progress at a rate
appropriate for you. Make sure you don’t overdo it. Take YOUR time progressing
at YOUR rate. Start with ten minutes of walking, or whichever activity you
enjoy, and add on a minute or two every week depending on what’s best for you.
Another form of endurance exercise is known as “interval style”.
For example, you may complete bicep curls without weights for a certain length
of time at a suitable speed for your fitness level. The exercise may seem easy
for a few seconds, but over time your body works hard to keep your blood
pumping and breathing rate elevated thereby benefiting your cardiovascular
system.
A consistent regimen of endurance exercises can pay
dividends in the long run. By committing to incorporating these activities into
your routine you may notice that what used to be an exhausting task has turned
into a simple activity to complete. Challenge yourself but remember to take it
easy at first.
Living a healthy lifestyle takes time to embrace and to
maintain! Call or Visit St. Mark Village in Palm Harbor for a tour and more information regarding our Independent Living or Assisted Living facilities.
