Senior Fitness With Meredith

Self care is an aspect of life that everyone should consider at some point especially as you age. Small tasks that you should keep in mind that focus on taking care of your physical, mental and emotional well being can add up at the end of the day, week and month. This week we're sharing a few of of the most essential tasks that you can try when it comes to self care. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). Why self care is so important especially as you age and why we thought it was a good idea to dedicate and episode to this issue. 2). What the priority is when it comes to self care and how this can often be over looked when living a busy life focusing on others. 3). Why it's important to consider setting "boundaries" when it comes to feeling overwhelmed. 4). The importance of making time to participate in activities that "rejuvenate" and "refresh" you on a regular basis. 5). Why doing the things that make you feel in "control" of your life is key to maintaining a clearer mental and emotional state which helps your overall wellness. /// We hope these tips on self care are helpful to you and open up the possibilities of health, wellness and longevity through consistent self care routines and tasks. Little reminders that you can practice will keep your goal of long term physical, mental and emotional health a stable pillar in your life now and for years to come. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." - Thomas Edison This quote reminds us that we can not give up, we must keep trying even if it is “just one more time”, it will keep us going! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this special episode we're sharing a few things we've learned after releasing over 400 exercise related videos on our YouTube channel. We started our channel in 2019 and have learned so many interesting things about creating a fitness brand online and getting to know the amazing fitness community that has become of it. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). Some of Meredith's personal experiences and history in teaching fitness classes for people of all ages and how that lead into creating the Senior Fitness With Meredith YouTube channel. 2). Why our YouTube channel is really focused on creating exercises for people of all ages and abilities even though it is name "Senior" Fitness With Meredith. 3). The importance of creating exercises that support all levels of fitness from Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. 4). Some of the amazing feedback we've received over the years from all over the world and how that helps give us more ideas on things to try and exercises to create. 5). Some of the great relationships and stories that have come from creating helpful exercise content and how that has been a great surprise for our team. /// Thank you for joining us on this special episode. It has been quite the journey for our team and we've learned so many things from our subscribers and followers. We could definitely not have made it this far without your support. We hope to continue releasing more health and fitness related content in the years to come and we can't wait to see what the future has in store! Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out." - Calvin Coolidge This quote reminds us that small steps done each day are what help us attain goals, and to keep going! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we're stretching out and "opening our minds" about how we should all be more like our tongues! This may sound funny, but there is a story behind it and how it actually relates to staying active on a regular basis. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). The story behind how this topic came about and why we thought it was very relatable to our listeners and those who enjoy an active lifestyle. 2). The importance of movement throughout your day, even when you're not actually exercising. 3). Some suggestions on how to stay motivated when you don't feel like exercising or being active. 4). Why we often make the mistake that trying to get fit or lose weight is like a straight line when in reality there are many ups and downs to get through which is normal. 5). How your body changes over time and what may have worked to stay active in the past may not work as easily now or into the future. /// We hope you enjoyed this fun episode and maybe after hearing it you'll agree on why we should all try to be more like our tongues! Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." - Colin Powell This quote reminds us that hard work continually is what gets us to our goals, not just hopes! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September is Falls Prevention Awareness month and in this episode we wanted to shed more light on this important cause. Unexpected falls can cause much more than just physical damage. There are many mental and emotional aspects that come into play not just for the person who experienced a fall but also surrounding friends and family. Falls can occur at any age but the most vulnerable are older adults or those with disabilities. Luckily there are a few easy things that you can do to minimize the risk of a fall to remain safe in your home or living space. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). What Falls Prevention Awareness Month is and why it has become so important to recognize each year. 2). Why it's important to highlight Falls Prevention Month in all independent and assisted living facilities. 3). The importance of including easy to follow balance exercises each week in your regular exercise routines which help build strength and stability. 4). How certain medications can cause problems with balance which can lead to falls and other physical complications and why it's important to discuss this with your doctor. 5). Why it's important to make sure any assistive devices like a walker or cane are regularly checked so they don't break or collapse which can lead to a dangerous fall. /// We hope the tips in this episode are helpful to you or someone you know who may have experienced a fall. Making sure to take a few extra steps in securing your surroundings to avoid the risk of a fall will go a long way to a safer, healthier, more independent life for you and your loved ones. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"One day you will look back and see that all along you were blooming." - Morgan Harper Nichols This quote reminds us that it is important to look at our progress, to see how far we have come especially when we are feeling down on ourselves. Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maintaining a regular exercise schedule is one of the gold standard indicators of health and wellness and making sure your mind and body are in the best shape they can be. However, no matter how much we exercise there may always seem to be aches and pains and mental challenges that we attribute to living an active lifestyle. Surprisingly, there are many other factors that can affect the way your mind and body responds to daily life and one of those can most definitely be the weather. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). Why we decided to dedicate an episode to this topic and how common it is to feel the effects of the weather and yet, not realize how much it is affecting you. 2). Insight into the comments and feedback we receive on our YouTube channel and website in regards to how different weather climates around the world affect others who live an active lifestyle. 3). How weather can affect you mentally and emotionally which can be challenging when trying to maintain consistency with exercise and diet. 4). How certain climates and weather changes can affect your respiratory system which can cause problems in your overall well being. 5). How constant weather changing patterns can weaken your immune system especially in those who may not be very physically active or overall healthy. /// We hope the tips in this episode are helpful if you are experiencing physical or mental challenges during your active lifestyle. The weather isn't usually something we focus on when it comes to staying active and healthy but it most certainly can play a role in how your body and mind respond to exercise and the everyday challenges we encounter. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Socrates This quote reminds us that we must build the new to make change stick! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being in caretaking is one of the most important jobs or positions to take on when it comes to caring for the aging or those in need. It can be demanding and even stressful at times but also very rewarding in making the difference in someone's life. It is also easy to lose sight one the most important aspect to caretaking, making sure you as the caretaker is being taken care of. Putting your health and wellness first as a priority is key to maintaining an independent life and allowing yourself the necessary rest time to recharge will give you the ability to be your best at your job especially when you are needed most. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). The definition of a "Caretaker" and what their roles and responsibilities usually entail. 2). Why it's important to also prioritize your health and wellness as a caretaker so that you can be the best version of yourself when taking care of someone else. 3). Helpful ways you can plan healthy meals around the eating times of the person you are caring for to ensure you are also eating healthy and not allowing your meals to be an after thought. 4). Planning tips on how you can better schedule your day around caretaking so that you get better sleep at night which will help you recharge your mind, body and soul. 5). The importance of staying socially connected to close family and friends while you are away from caretaking. /// We hope the tips and information in this episode are helpful to you if you or someone you know is a primary care taker. Taking care of our aging or those who need it most is needed in all facets of life and making sure those who take on this role are caring for themselves is just as important. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well." - Diane Ackerman This quote reminds us that we need to fill each day with so much good, not just live the length of each day! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regular exercise is key to maintaining an independent lifestyle especially as you age. Keeping a schedule of workouts helps build consistency and confidence in sustaining a healthy future. But what happens when you hit a "funk" or encounter an unexpected injury that sidelines you for a period of time? There are many things that occur in life that can throw surprises into your regular schedule which can keep you from staying on track with exercise. This can cause feelings of "falling behind" or lagging with your routine exercises. Luckily, there are some easy tips you can follow which will help you get back into the game and feeling great both in body and mind. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). What events, thoughts or circumstances in life can make us feel like we're not exercising enough and why this is more common than we may think. 2). Some of Meredith's personal experiences in working with clients over the years and their thoughts on keeping up with exercise and staying active. 3). Why it's important to not "over set" your fitness goals if you've been away from exercising for a long time or are just getting started. 4). The importance of finding workouts and exercises that you enjoy doing and how that's helpful for your motivation each day. 5). The physical, mental and emotional benefits of regular exercise and remembering why this is important for your overall and long term health. /// We hope the tips in this episode are helpful to you if you feel un-motivated to exercise after a long break or if you're just having trouble getting started for the first time. There's no shame in taking time off and when you're ready to come back to exercise, we hope the information in this episode helps motivate you to get moving towards a longer and healthier future. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln This quote reminds us that we must live each day fully, not just going through the motions of each day! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this podcast episode we're excited to dive into the health and wellness benefits of our new "Brain & Body" exercise video series! This new series is all about strengthening the connection between your mind and your body movements. All exercise uses this connection but this series will challenge your cognitive abilities and match them with easy to follow movements that you can do right at home. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). How you can easily find this workout series and where it is located on our website or YouTube channel. 2). Meredith's thoughts on why she felt it was important to include this exercise series in her growing library of videos. 3). Some suggestions on when to try this series of videos as either warm ups, cool downs or as a great quick daily exercise. 4). Some of the frustrations that occur when we may not feel mentally sharp at times and how these workouts will help with this. 5). Why this series is great for those who may have cognitive issues and how they can benefit from incorporating them into a weekly schedule. /// We hope this episode gets you just as excited as we are about this new series! We will be publishing more "Brain & Body" workouts in the coming months that are designed for all levels of fitness. We're dedicated to empowering not only your physical well being, but your mental sharpness as well which is key to a longer, more independent life. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“To keep the heart unwrinkled — to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent — that is to triumph over old age.” – Thomas Bailey Aldrich This quote reminds us that we can triumph over life as we age, but we must stay happy and positive through it all! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have that favorite song we like to hear every now and then but did you know that the songs you love may be doing more for you than you realize? It has been shown that music has many benefits beyond just candy for our ears. It has the power to help destress and calm our minds, help us find clarity and mental focus, and even help our bodies physically. For those with cognitive issues, music can enhance experiences and emphasize memory and function. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). Some of Meredith's experiences in working with clients and their attitudes on how music has effected their personal lives as they aged. 2). How music provides a "dopamine" like feeling which effects our mood, attitude, outlook and emotions. 3). How different genres of music can mean different things to different people and why it's important to listen to what gives you the most joy. 4). Why music can be very effective in helping those who have had strokes or have cognitive issues as it can help re-capture memories, thoughts & emotions. 5). The benefits of music on your physical self by either playing an instrument, dancing or singing. /// We hope the information in this episode on music is helpful to you or someone you know. It's easy to take music for granted when we turn on the radio our put on our favorite songs but having music in your life on a regular basis will boast many benefits to your overall health and well being. So don't hesitate to crank up your favorite tunes as often as possible! Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Change is the law of life." - John F. Kennedy This quote reminds us that change is inevitable, we must embrace it and know it is okay! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moving can be stressful. There are many factors that can make a move difficult like arranging for packing time, boxing, plans for furniture, transportation, getting people to help you and so many more. But this can also be a lofty task for an aging person as well. In most cases, older adults will not be able to move by themselves which means they will need help. This can also be stressful as not all moves are always wanted, but needed. As part of our "Caretaker series", before deciding on the technicalities of moving, there are important factors to consider which will help make a move much easier for and aging person even if it is under un-wanted circumstances. In This Episode You Will Learn: 1). How moving can be difficult especially as you age or someone you care for ages and some of the challenges involved in getting started. 2). Be sure to keep lines of communication open during the process so that everyone feels respected and not rushed into making un-wanted decisions about items in their home. 3). When hiring movers, make sure the aging person is comfortable with the people entering their home by introducing everyone and getting familiar with names etc. 4). Making sure to treat items in the home with respect and compassion when moving them to a new home. 5). The importance of following up with the aging adult after the move has taken place to make sure they feel comfortable in their new space. /// We hope the tips we've shared in this episode are helpful to you or someone you know who may be contemplating moving or helping and aging adult move. Taking the necessary steps to make sure everyone involved is comfortable, is important to ensure a successful move for all involved. Team Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Ageing is just another word for living." - Cindy Joseph This quote reminds us that to age is a wonderful thing, as it means we are fortunate enough to live! Meredith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.