Tips and Resources for Getting Active

 

 

If you’ve been thinking, “I really should move more, but where do I even start?” you’re not alone. The internet is packed with options, and figuring out where to begin can be the hardest part. I’ve pulled together a simple, beginner-friendly list for seniors (or anyone really) who want to ease into an activity routine. No perfect outfit, no fancy equipment — just a few trusted places and small, doable steps.

First things first: start gently and give yourself permission to go at your own pace. Its is a lifestyle change and they take time. It is not a contest. A few minutes counts. Comfortable shoes, a sturdy chair, a clear space, and some water nearby are a good start. If you have questions about what’s right for you, especially if you’re new to intentional physical activity or have any concerns, check in with your healthcare provider. Be sure to warm up with slower movements and finish with easy stretches can help your body ease in and out of activity. This is especially important if you have not been active for a while.

Here are some useful resources you can explore:

National Institute on Aging — Exercise & Physical Activity: Plain-language videos, a “Workout to Go” printable checklist, and safety tips. 

SilverSneakers: Many health plans include access to online and in-gym classes designed with older adults in mind. Search your health insurance plan's site for “SilverSneakers eligibility” to see if yours includes it.

The YMCA and community centers: Look for “Active Older Adult,” “gentle,” or “low-impact” on class schedules.

Your local Parks & Recreation and Senior Centers: Often offer affordable group classes and walking clubs for those who want to add a social element to their activity.

Your local library: Free movement classes or DVDs you can check out.

YouTube: Search for Yes2Next (walking and light strength), SeniorShape Fitness (chair and standing), Tai Chi with Don Fiore (slow, calming flow), and Yoga With Adriene (gentle/chair options). Start with “beginner” or “chair” playlists.

Outdoors and walking ideas: Mall walking before stores open; neighborhood strolls with a buddy; use the AllTrails app to find flat, paved paths (filter for “easy”).

Consistency is maybe the most important success factor. Here are a few practical tips for staying consistent: 

Put movement on your calendar like any other appointment until it becomes a part of your normal routine.

Keep a simple checkmark log on the fridge to celebrate each tiny win. 

Stack activity with something you already do (after breakfast or before your favorite show). 

Mix in music, fresh air, or a friend to make it enjoyable. Variety helps — rotate walking, gentle strength, stretching, and balance practice through the week so it stays interesting.

If you’d like this as a quick printable checklist or want a couple of starter videos based on what you enjoy (walking, chair, stretching), comment “START” or message me and I’ll send them over. And if you have a resource you love, drop it below — your recommendation might be exactly what someone else needs today.

We really are all in this together.

Let's Just Not Call It Exercise Any More

 

As we take a closer took at the three key inputs to having long, healthy and happy senior years (exercise, diet and relationships), let's start with exercise. But before we do, let's rename it. "Exercise" just raises negative feelings for too many people, especially older ones who may have physical limitations or dread the idea of the gym. Instead, we'll call it "activity". Much less unpleasant, right?

Activity isn’t about climbing mountains or training for the senior marathon; it’s about showing up for your body in everyday ways. Try to think of regular activity as a friendly nudge, not a finish line. For seniors, and anyone who hopes to become one someday, “exercise” can be as simple as the moments you already have in your day. If the word workout makes your shoulders tense, take a breath—this is not that.

Here’s what “regular” looks like in real life: a short walk after breakfast, a few sit-to-stands from a sturdy chair while the TV is on, heel raises at the kitchen counter while the kettle hums. Light resistance shows up in ordinary objects—water bottles, canned goods, a tote of books. Balance can be practiced holding the back of a chair, eyes on a steady point. Shoes you trust, a clear path, and a pace that lets you chat are simple guardrails. If movement is new or you’ve got questions about what’s right for you, check in with a professional who knows your particular history.

Consistency tends to feel kinder than intensity. Pair movement with habits you already have: after brushing your teeth, before lunch, during your favorite show’s commercials. Go ahead and keep it playful—set a timer for a few minutes, put on a song, or call a friend and stroll while you catch up. Write it down somewhere you’ll see it, and give yourself credit for every little “done.” (One of those calendars that seem to show up at this time of the year is perfect.) If spandex is involved, it’s optional and probably more for dramatic effect than any practical reason.

I like to think in terms of four gentle pillars: strength, balance, mobility, and easy-cardio. Strength can be chair squats or wall push-ups you can do at your own pace. (Remember, it's not a competition.) Balance might be heel-to-toe walking along the counter, one hand resting there as a spotter. Mobility is the feel-good stuff—neck turns, shoulder rolls, ankle circles. Easy-cardio is anything that gets you moving smoothly: an unhurried walk, light dancing in the kitchen (or with a friend!), even tending plants.

Start Small. Stay Gentle. Keep Showing Up. Regular activity isn’t a contest; it’s a conversation with your body, one you get to keep having. You can even combine it with building relationships if a program like Silver Sneakers appeals to you. (I love to check two boxes with one activity!)

Activity is like most anything else, starting is the hardest part. It gets easier and easier the more you do it and you will soon begin to feel the many benefits of being more active. As it becomes part of your routines and habits, you may even find yourself feeling bad when you miss doing it. (Seriously. Ask my dog how he feels about missing one of his walks.)

So step one in aging well and making your senior years active and happy is to get moving. Next time I will share some ideas and resources for getting started.