Exercise. It’s one of those things people believe is only for the young. As you age, life becomes more complicated to the point where things like your health are placed on the back burner. You have your job, wife, kids, friends, and a number of other commitments that take over your life.

All those activities you did when you were young have dwindled down to nothing. Now you are 65, retired, sitting in your rocking chair thinking about how active you once were and how age has prevented your participation. Well, this may not be you right now, but it could be your parents, grandparents, or aunt/uncle.

Exercise needs to continue as you age. Forget about looking good for the beach and the camera. We’re all trying to live! Young, middle-aged, old… it doesn’t matter! Did you know that the average adult loses 3-4lbs of muscle per a decade? It may not seem like much but that’s a lot of withering away. Due to that muscle loss, resting metabolic rate is lower, causing an increase of stored energy, which is a nicer way of saying you’re becoming fat.

Now, I don’t know how often you see your parents, but the next time you look at them, imagine seeing them in the hospital for a health issue. A health issue that could have been easily prevented if they were given a little nudge toward exercising. I am not saying you should have them working out six days a week doing navy seal training. Just call them and ask them if they want to go for a walk. Use it as a little bonding or catch-up time.

I guarantee that at least 10% of adults 50 and older are afraid to exercise because they are too embarrassed from what they can’t do, while the other 90% believe that they are just too old and are only causing more damage. That 90% is right about the damage, but its good damage. This good damage is the breaking down and building up of the muscle. This will make the body stronger and durable, giving older adults the capability of surviving a fall.

One person that is a great testament to exercise at an advance age is my grandmother. All her life she has walked everywhere. 1 mile, 5mile, 10miles… you name it! She has never held a driver’s license, so when she couldn’t bum a ride, she would grab her purse and hat and begin her journey. At the age of 87 she was diagnosed with stomach cancer. At her age the doctors usually do not perform invasive surgery. Yet, according to the doctors, they contributed her strong heart and overall health for the ability to perform the invasive surgery.

Really, it doesn’t take much to boost the health in advanced ages. You got to have a talk with your parents aunts/uncles and grandparents. Tell them the facts. Let them know that falls are the major cause of traumatic brain injuries which has a significant correlation to early death. People that don’t exercise tend to have a higher fear of falling, which increases the likelihood of a fall.

So please, show them love and give them that nudge that will add years to their life. That’s the least you can do for all the years they put up with you.

-Phil