Fitness and Women Over 40 - The Sad Consequences of a Sedentary Lifestyle

Let me first give you a definition of sedentary: it means you sit a lot and exercise very, very little, if at all.

Please note: women over 40, see your doctor before starting any type of exercise program. Why? Because you may have some serious risk factors to be evaluated by a doctor. She/he will make the best recommendations for your exercise program. This is extremely important!

A sedentary lifestyle puts you at risk for osteoporosis: a bone disease occurring especially in women after the menopause in which the bones become very porous, break easily, and heal slowly. It may lead to curvature of the spine after the vertebrae collapse. It is attributed to a lack of calcium. The worst case scenario: dowager’s hump.

Why does every exercise program include strength training or weight lifting?

Because a sedentary lifestyle causes you to lose muscle throughout your body. You become so weak it’s difficult to open bottles or jars among other problems.

Arthritis sufferers need to “keep moving”. It means avoiding a sedentary lifestyle at all cost. They must strength train and do stretching exercises. Otherwise they have great difficulty standing up from a chair or getting out of bed or climbing stairs.

Exercise can greatly improve their flexibility and strengthen the muscles around the joints, which may reduce the amount or frequency of pain medication.

There is a recent study that shows a sedentary lifestyle causes more deaths than smoking!

In other words, being a couch potato can literally kill you. This is only an introduction to the health problems caused by inactivity. There is a longer list not covered here.

When I asked an 85 year old woman what was the secret to her longevity, she responded “keep moving”. She does not have a sedentary lifestyle.

In other words, fitness and women belong together. I will provide more information on fitness and women in the articles below...

Fitness For Women - Exercise Is Critical If You Are Over 40
By definition, fitness for women means good physical condition; being in shape or in condition. Take a few minutes to think about that and let it sink in.

Abdominal Exercise For Women - The Top Three
Searching for some abdominal exercise for women? Here's a top three and a few things to consider!

Strength Training For Women - Building Muscles For A Better Health
Strength training for women builds muscles, improves balance and coordination, and decreases the risk for osteoporosis.

Fitness for Women over 40? Consider Yoga
Are you looking for a slower-paced exercise, one that does not leave you breathless and exhausted? Try yoga for over 40 adults.

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