After two weeks of watching the Olympics, are you ready to pick up the pace of your exercise program?  Or start a program to improve your overall health?

There is new evidence that you don’t need to train at an Olympian’s pace – just by adding walking to your daily routine or light weight lifting, you can increase longevity and improve your body and mind. 

A recent New York Times article highlights some of the recent research that starting an exercise routine at any age can help fight cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes and dementia. It’s worth a read if you’ve been putting off physical activity because of your age.  “Physical inactivity is one of the strongest predictors of unsuccessful aging for older adults and is perhaps the root cause of many unnecessary and premature admission to long-term care,” according to two geriatricians in a recent article in the Archives of Internal medicine. 

One of the new studies points to positive impact on preventing or delaying loss of cognitive functions.  Here’s an interesting program on the aging brain – what it does best and not so well – from NPR. 

And, there are financial rewards for being healthier, as well.  You may also benefit from lower health care expenses and less need to hire people to assist you in doing everyday activities. 

If you don’t know where to get started, try your local senior center.  They frequently have low impact exercise programs that can be a great place to start.  And always, check with your doctor before you start a new exercise regimen, especially if you have been inactive.

So if you missed your “get excercising” New Year’s Resolution, it’s not too late to get started. Or you got off course becuase of the winter snow and cold, get started now.  The health benefits, no matter what your age, of just a bit of routine physical activity should be enough to get you moving.