FYI: National Senior Health and Fitness Day is Wednesday, May 30th

Yes, I know that’s a long, unwieldy title, but so is National Senior Health and Fitness Day, so I was a bit constrained by that fact…cut me some slack.  Anyway, NSH&FD is, in fact, celebrating its 25^th anniversary the last Wednesday in May, which has been its home date since 1993.

For 25 years, it has been reminding seniors about the importance of starting and/or maintaining a healthy lifestyle and motivating them to exercise on a regular basis, get regular health screenings and to eat a healthy diet of fruits, veggies, and proteins…unabashed, self-promotional plug ahead (which, by the way, MagicKitchen.com can help you with).

NSH&FD was, and is, organized as a public-private partnership by the Mature Market Resource Center, which is an organization known as a national information clearinghouse (google it) for the senior marketplace.  Not sure what that’s all about, but they’re the ones who put this whole thing together.

Since 1993, it has grown to include over 120,000 seniors participating at over 1,200 locations nationwide.  It is now the largest annual health and fitness event for seniors in the country.  Local organizations nationwide sponsor various events on NSH&FD.  For example, here in Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center sponsors a walking and informational event at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium.  I love the smell of elephant dung in the morning…smells like…victory.

Other local organizations that sponsor events includes hospitals, parks and rec departments, senior centers, health clubs, retirement communities, houses of worship and health departments.  And what types of events do they sponsor?  Fitness walks, low-impact exercise classes, health screenings and informational sessions, workshops, health fairs and small-group exercise demonstrations, to name but a few.

More than likely, one of these organizations is sponsoring an event in your area.  Of course, it’s not necessary to attend one of the sponsored events to celebrate NSH&FD, especially if there isn’t a local event near you.  Simply celebrate with friends and/or family by going to a local park, attending a fitness class, going dancing (yes, dancing), or participating in an Iron Man Triathlon…I jest of course, unless you’re capable.

Just remember, this day is meant to be the beginning of your journey to a healthier lifestyle and can’t be a one-day thing in a vain attempt to achieve fitness.  It’s a little like making a New Year’s resolution at the end of May.

Use this day as a springboard to a healthier you.  Attend a local event, gather some health information, join an exercise class (anything with “aqua” in the title is a great place to start) and use those friends to motivate you to attend those classes on a regular basis…shaming usually works best.

Seriously, wouldn’t you like to be active, mobile, ambulatory, for as long as possible?  Then simply remember this year’s theme for NSH&FD: active today…healthier tomorrow.

For more information on NSH&FD 2018, just visit here: http://www.fitnessday.com/senior/index.html