'Now' is Always the Best Time to Be More Active

Move more. Sit less. Be more active. Get your exercise. You've heard the advice before. And if you've ever muttered something like: "What's the point? It's just too hard. It won't do any good now," you're not alone. But here's the thing...It will do you some good.

New research shows that exercise at any age, even if you've been a couch potato for years, can promote health, prevent disease, help you lose some weight, and ultimately live longer. In the study, researchers followed 315,000 senior-age adults and tracked their exercise habits.

One group was active when they were younger, but didn't exercise much as adults. But when they began exercising again at 40, 50, or older, something surprising happened. They cut their risk of death from heart disease by 43 percent and cancer by 16 percent.

That might be the difference between a daily 30 minute walk or another 30 minutes of TV. Which would you choose? The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 150 minutes of physical activity a week for most adults. What are some ways you can fit exercise into your life as you get older?

• Go for a walk
• Ride a bike
• Take fitness class
• Swim
• Take a hike
• Do simple exercises during commercials

Regular exercise will help you feel better and live longer. But it's not the only thing that matters to help you live a healthy and happy life. Your diet matters, too. Research shows eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, nuts and seeds, legumes, and drinking plenty of water is a recipe for good health.

You'll find all that and more on the Senior MagicKitchen.com menu. Pick your favorites, all made from fresh ingredients, and let us do the rest. You'll have your next meal ready in minutes. Eat, enjoy, then go for a walk.