Seniors are often concerned with maintaining a healthy body weight, especially during the holiday season. Many things factor into weight including genetics, age, gender, lifestyle, family habits and culture, sleep, and even their home environment. As we get older, our metabolism slows, but being physically active and eating healthy foods can benefit everyone.*
Share these tips with your patients for maintaining a healthy weight:*
-
Limit portion size: Be mindful of what a portion size is. It is often less than we realize.
-
Choose healthy snacks: Choose an apple or a handful of peanuts, instead of those crunchy chips.
-
Get physical activity: Even a little bit can go a long way.
Benefits of exercise
Educate seniors that having an active lifestyle has many benefits, not just on the scale. Exercise can help lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and certain cancers.† Regular exercise may help with daily activities, keeping up with grandchildren, preventing falls, and staying independent.*
Exercise may also:‡
- boost mood
- sharpen focus
- reduce stress
- improve sleep
How much exercise is needed?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, each week.§
Moderate-intensity exercise is when you're breathing hard but can still have a conversation. Vigorous exercise is when you can only say a few words before having to take a breath.‡
The SilverSneakers benefit can help your patients stay active. Many exercises can be done in a seated position so they can stay active at any level.
Encourage your patients to activate their SilverSneakers benefit today.
SilverSneakers is a lifestyle and fitness benefit designed specifically for seniors, included with an
Independence Medicare Advantage plan at no additional cost. SilverSneakers includes:
-
SilverSneakers On-Demand™ online workout videos for at-home workouts, available 24/7
-
SilverSneakers LIVE™ full-length classes and workshops
- memberships to thousands of fitness locations¶
- group exercise classes¶ designed for all abilities
- instructors trained in senior fitness
- fun activities held outside the gym‖
- SilverSneakers GO™ mobile app with workout programs, location finder, and more
For more information on SilverSneakers or to help your patients get started, go to
SilverSneakers.com.
*https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/maintaining-healthy-weight
†https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity-and-obesity/
‡https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/PAG_MYW_Adult_FS.pdf
§https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
¶Participating locations (“PL") are not owned or operated by Tivity Health, Inc. or its affiliates. Use of PL facilities and amenities are limited to terms and conditions of PL basic membership. Facilities and amenities vary by PL.
‖Membership includes SilverSneakers instructor-led group fitness classes. Some locations offer members additional classes. Classes vary by location.
SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. SilverSneakers On-Demand, SilverSneakers LIVE and SilverSneakers GO are trademarks of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2021 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.