Do you move enough? 🤔
Hi
I have a big birthday coming up which has spurred me to think about writing a new series of books covering those topics that concern seniors. The first book, which I am researching now, is about the importance of physical activity (I avoid the word ‘exercise’ like avoiding other words that are scary for some folk!).
There are a lot of compelling reasons to keep your activity levels up, no matter your age. (I’m talking to you – whether you are a couch potato or just have slowed somewhat in the last little while – no matter whether you are generally fit and healthy for your age or you have had recent surgery or have a chronic condition or you have a problem with your weight that keeps you from moving as much as you’d like!)
Some fun (or not so fun) facts based on solid scientific research:
One study found that if you can devote 150 minutes or so in a week to taking yourself on a daily walk, a bit of physical activity that need not be much longer than a mere 20 minutes, seniors gain 30% lower risk of falling ill, or dying or becoming dependent. Another way of looking at it is this: when you take ten minutes to walk somewhere and ten minutes to get back again, you have achieved your goal. The even better news? You can start with 1 minute out, turn around, and walk one minute back. The next walk, aim for two minutes out and two minutes back. If your muscles are seriously weakened by inactivity, you might have to keep that up for a few walks before you are able to do it easily, then increase it ever so slightly. Keep track and you will eventually achieve your goal of a total of twenty minutes for each walk.
Another set of researchers in their study reported that walking for five to seven days a week was associated with up to 80% lower risk of having trouble with your legs or back. They say such people live a further four years longer than people who are sedentary. More important, in my opinion, is that those extra years are more enjoyable.
One American study reported by scientists at Harvard University found that men older than 45 (why are so many studies about men only?) who had been sedentary but had agreed to start increasing their physical activity, have a 24% lower death rate. They say daily walking for about ¾ of an hour at about 17 minutes a mile gives maximum benefits. They ask, ‘Can you walk away from father time?’ and the answer is obviously ‘yes’.
I own a little wrist watch which also tells me my daily step count. Several scientific studies have said maximum benefit for health is achieved with about 7,000 steps so that is my goal. I love walking even when I am taking the same route each day. I notice the clouds, the leaves, flowers, the first of the seasonal changes, people, dogs, waves on the sea … and I make up scenes and conversations and plot twists for my murder mysteries.
Now that walking is part of my daily routine, I love it.
MY WRITING of MYSTERIES
I am happy to announce The Nanny is Dead, the third Darkwater Lake Mystery, is due for publication on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo and a host of other outlets at the end of March. The regular price after the first week will be (US) $4.99, however it will be (US) $2.99 for that all important first week (starting March 31st).
About The Nanny is Dead: When you're a disgraced professor hiding in the little Darkwater Lake community away from scandal, securing an off-season house-sitting gig at a sprawling remote lakefront estate should promise complete escapism. But for Jodie Hill, it only brings another gruesome murder mystery to solve...
Interested? Grab it while the price is low! I will send you a short email with the link to the book as soon as the sale is on.
Now, I’ll get onto writing A Neighbour is Dead, Book #4 in the Darkwater Lake Mystery series which takes place in the depths of Canada’s winter. It’s a cool book to write while I’m still in New Zealand’s summertime! (Pun intended! 😉)
Cheers,