If you haven’t yet found a way to be active while also being social, you can double your gains if you combine the two. We all know moving keeps us healthy, but the social aspects have been proven to make at least as much of a difference in our well-being as exercise. Check out these great ways people are staying active while strengthening social ties: a win-win for overall health.
Getting physical and social
Having a friend to work out with is always a motivator to keep moving. Why not join a group that is focused on fitness and fun so you can always do both? The YMCA of Greater Louisville offers Forever Young/Active Older Adult programs that aim to keep older adults moving and connected. They offer special fitness classes designed for participants age 50+. In addition to fitness classes, the groups plan social events and outings.
“Our programs are open to all — you do not have to be a Y member to attend,” says Sandra Simpson, Forever Young volunteer coordinator for the Northeast Family YMCA. Social events range from events at a Y location to field trips. “We are headed to tour Rebecca Ruth Candy next month as a group,” Sandra says. “We do most of our events at the Y, but occasionally we go offsite. We are taking a bus as some of our members do not want to drive, so it is great to all travel together.”
Events hosted at Y locations include time for socializing, and often the groups share a meal together. “We have done a variety of things — in February we make valentines to donate, last March we played bingo, and we do potlucks,” Sandra says. Branches host different events, so to get involved, check the YMCA of Greater Louisville website or contact the YMCA branch closest to you.
By Tami Pyles
P.S. Get inspired by this article: How One Man Got His Fitness Back in His 50s
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