By Alex Baran,
Project Weight Loss Staff Writer
January 26, 2010 
Jane Fonda, the famous actress, wants to release a workout DVD for elderly women. Despite she’s 72, Jane looks great and wants to spread her healthy message to other women.
Back in the 1980s the actress released a series of workout videos and now she plans a fitness comeback, according to SFGate. “We will film them in mid-March. Mine will target an audience that has been left out, my age group and the (baby) boomers. I want to get to people who have stopped working out or never did,” said Jane.
Staying physically active and exercising regularly may help you avoid or delay disease and disability. However, older adults are sometimes wary about exercising. Some are afraid to exercise because they think they will get too tired or may suffer injuries. Yet older adults hurt their well-being more by not exercising rather than exercising.
Vitamin D is important not only for bone health. Previous studies showed it also protects the body from colds, diabetes, tuberculosis, and cancer. Vitamin D is naturally produced under sun exposure. Juice, cereals, and fortified milk also contain vitamin D but the amounts do not cover the daily need of vitamin D, said Houston. So a condition to a healthy life would be to watch your vitamin D intake as well.
To stay healthy and independent you should do strength exercises, balance exercises, and stretching exercises. Strength exercises help build muscle and increase your metabolism; a higher metabolism will keep your weight and blood sugar in check.
Drink water to avoid dehydration. Endurance exercises should not make you breathe too hard so you can't talk, and should not cause chest pain or dizziness. Endurance exercises include walking, jogging, swimming, raking etc. Build up your endurance gradually. Stretch after your activities, while your muscles are still warm.
Before starting stretching exercises, warm up by doing some easy walking or pumping your arms first. It is normal to feel a mild discomfort or a mild pulling sensation. You shouldn’t bounce into a stretch – try making slow steady movements instead.
Balance exercises help build leg muscles and prevent falls. While doing balance exercises, try to hold onto a table or chair for balance with just one hand. Then slowly lift one leg to side, eight inches out to the side. Keep your back and legs straight and hold position. Slowly lower leg and repeat with other leg. You must keep your back and knees straight throughout exercise.
If you’re afraid of injuries, here’s some advice on avoiding them: don't hold your breath while exercising. Breathe out while you lift or push weights and don’t forget to breathe in as you relax. Avoid thrusting movements. Use smooth and steady movements to poise your body.
Exercise and feel younger again. Life is too precious to stop enjoying it. This seems to be Jane Fonda’ secret for a healthy living.
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