Meet Steven Berkowitz. He’s one of many 2025 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes, and he’ll be sharing updates on his well being and wellness journey by the remainder of this yr. Steven, age 72, didn’t at all times put a precedence on health. Nevertheless, after difficult himself and seeing what he may accomplish, he’s put it again into focus for greater than 40 years now. Steven has been devoted to exercising almost on daily basis and displaying that it doesn’t take a lot to get began and preserve going.
At any time when I start or improve a bodily health program, the important thing for me is to know why I wish to do it. What I discovered is – like many others – I wish to reside independently and be wholesome for so long as attainable. Subsequently, it’s vital to be good how I’m going about exercising.
Going Close to to Go Far
My health journey started after I was 30 years previous and never in the perfect bodily situation. I had a 2-year-old daughter and a desk job, which made discovering time to train tough. But, I knew I needed to begin in some way. So, on January 1, 1983, I started by jogging a half mile round my neighborhood after I returned house from work. It was January in Virginia, so it was darkish and chilly, nevertheless it nonetheless felt good. The following night time, I jogged a half mile once more. Then once more on the subsequent night time, and the subsequent night time…
After three weeks of nightly jogging, I elevated my distance to 1 mile. After one other three weeks of jogging one mile nightly, I elevated it to one-and-a-half miles. I continued this sample of accelerating my distance by half a mile each three weeks till I used to be jogging six miles an evening persistently.
Finally, I started coaching … to finish the Marine Corps Marathon.
To extend the problem to myself, I started racing. Utilizing the identical philosophy, I constructed up from racing 5k to 10k after which 10-mile races. Finally, I started coaching that entailed a number of week-end runs of 15 miles. It allowed me to finish the Marine Corps Marathon, which runs by the various historic monuments of Washington, D.C.
From Gentle to Heavy
After just a few years, I noticed one thing was lacking. On any given day, we push, pull, bend, elevate, twist, step up, step down, attain up, attain down, and transfer in ways in which require muscle energy and agility. We lose power and muscle mass as we age, and I used to be not doing something to counter this loss.
Thus, I started a resistance coaching program. Whether or not utilizing physique weight, resistance bands, free weights, or machine weights, resistance coaching helps keep or construct muscle power – a crucial part to dwelling independently and being wholesome.
I by no means in contrast myself to what others had been doing; as a substitute, I competed in opposition to myself by making an attempt to enhance…
Much like how I started operating, I began with extraordinarily low weights. In my opinion, this is essential if you’re simply beginning or are re-engaging in a resistance coaching program. The very last thing you wish to do is harm your self making an attempt to be wholesome. I regularly elevated the load and variety of repetitions and units I did. Extra importantly, I by no means in contrast myself to what others had been doing; as a substitute, I competed in opposition to myself by making an attempt to enhance on my prior month’s accomplishments.
Protecting within the Know
As I aged, I listened to my physique and tailored to keep away from accidents. Immediately, I do aerobics on daily basis, however I do it on a stationary bike or cross coach. I exploit decrease weights for resistance coaching to keep away from harm however nonetheless construct and keep muscle mass and energy to assist each day actions. I additionally get hold of a DEXA (Twin-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan, also referred to as a bone density scan, twice a yr to assist me chart my progress and am pleased with the outcomes.
Vitamin and adaptability are different crucial parts in my health program, however I’ll save these for one more weblog.
It’s by no means too late to put money into your well being and wellbeing. Common health workout routines will increase your power, enhance mobility, and assist you feel and look youthful on daily basis. Begin small, keep constant, and luxuriate in a stronger, extra highly effective model of your self.
Save the Date
I look ahead to connecting extra with the Senior Planet neighborhood at my upcoming digital presentation on Wednesday, Could 21 at 1:30pm EDT. Save the date and keep tuned for extra info because the date attracts close to!
In want of somewhat motivation to get shifting? Be part of our each day well being and wellness applications, keep tuned to the newest information and articles from SeniorPlanet.org by signing up for The Orbit weekly e-newsletter, and observe us on social media (Fb | YouTube | Instagram) to get to know these awe-inspiring athletes. You would possibly simply discover a new love for health alongside the best way!
Pictures courtesy of Steven Berkowitz
