A few weeks ago, I was finishing a trail run at a park in south Charlotte. It was not an unusually hot or lengthy run. As I sipped from the drinking fountain, I noticed an ache in my knees. Again, not unusual but it seemed more familiar than I’d like to admit.

As one of the younger of the 70+ million boomers advancing in age, my dream that I’ll live forever is fading as fast as my hairline and my not so dark hair. Having completed my share of 10Ks, marathons, distance cycling and adventure races, I began to consider how to stave off the march of the years. One thing is certain, if Boomers are going to fight off the advance and all the related challenges, aches and aliments, they’ll have to be active participants in life and health.

According to American Sports Data, Inc., “…62 percent of the U.S. population acknowledges the benefits of exercise, know it should exercise more, but never does…”  Clearly we recognize the importance of exercise but many are watching from the cheap seats, but not everyone.

Michele A., a 50+ year old who uses regular trips to the YMCA to attend water aerobics, spinning, and sculpting classes is not one watching from the stands. Michele, originally from the Chicago area, maintains a full schedule of exercise, vitamins and healthy eating to fight off the arthritis and the pounds. This regiment is supported by chiropractic visits and massage therapy. Michele uses a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle trading trips to the doctor for visits to the YMCA.

So what advice would the Boomers get from some experts on how to approach exercise and fitness. I pursued the question with someone who was once proclaimed as, ‘the toughest man on the planet.’  Ian Adamson (www.ianadamson.com), a seven-time world champion, three-time world-record holder, three-time Eco-challenge winner knows a lot about fitness and suffering.

Adamson found a way to become a world champion in the midst of a full time job as an engineering project manager, running a small business and going to school three nights per week to complete his master’s degree. All the while, Adamson shoe-horned in 20 hours of training a week and raced most weekends.

Riding his bike to work and school, Adamson ran at lunch, swimming or kayaking in the evenings. “Making my commute count was huge… doubled up everything else-extreme but you get the picture.”  Yes Ian, I get the picture. The lesson here is efficiency, taking advantage of opportunities for fitness in whatever corner or crevasse of your life is open. Adamson found things that he was passionate about and incorporated them into his daily routine. Adamson says this, “…is really the key - even if you can make 30 minutes a day to walk at lunch or take the kids for a hike on the weekend, it adds up to useful activity.”

Regarding diet and eating, Adamson advises, “It's all too easy to eat what is convenient, so make it convenient to eat what is good. I keep plenty of healthy and tasty snacks around as I am a constant grazer. This is actually a good way to eat since you are less likely to binge, and bingeing is bad.”

According to a survey by National Ambulatory Medical Care, the number two reason for visits to the doctor, among the 70+ million boomers is sports injuries.  The thought that a boomer might visit an orthopedic professional is preferred to a cardiac doctor and probably more likely. The reality is that this generation has grown up exercising and expects to continue. Sadly, the knees of an active 50 year old are not going to perform like the knees of a 25 year old. The New York Times recently reported that the boomers appetite for exercise has created an epidemic often referred to as boomeritis. A term trademarked by orthopedic surgeon Nicholas A. DiNubile.

So what about the aches? While enjoying a recent adjustment, I asked Dr. Michael Guerriero, a Matthews chiropractic doctor who use the Active Release Technique to relieve pain and keep Boomers active. His advise, address the pains early. If a pain persists for more than a week, get some attention before it becomes debilitating and prevents the activities. “Stress and health, and a little bit of weight control,” is why Barbara T. another Boomer squeezes exercise into a 60 hour work week usually with 5AM workouts. Admittedly, Barbara says “stress reduction, the number one reason…why else would anyone else get up that early.” Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is essential to a lifestyle that prevents illness, reduces stress and extends longevity.
 
So while we continue to age, staying active is critical to our health no matter the level of intensity. Find something you are passionate about and ‘just do it.’ What if you haven’t exercised in 20 years? You might consider a lifetime sport like walking, hiking, cycling, swimming or perhaps flat water kayaking or scuba diving. Finding space and time in your life is essential and can maximize efficiency in already your over-taxed life. Squeeze in activities whenever you can, no matter the time available. Finally, when (not if) the aches give you pause or more likely, an excuse to skip exercise, address them with a professional, no matter what.