Turning 50 is a significant moment—we start to think deeply about our health and how we live our lives. For black women, reaching this age brings opportunities and challenges, especially when staying active. But why is staying active vital as we age, and how can it improve our lives? Let’s explore how black women over 50 find strength and joy in keeping active.
Physical Movement
Physical movement encompasses any bodily activity that improves or sustains general health, and physical fitness is considered physical movement. It’s a general term that covers everything from regular workout regimens to simple pursuits like gardening or dancing.
Examples of Physical Movements
Walking
According to Harvard Health, walking is considered one of the best exercises, especially for people over 50. Walking is a simple yet effective way to stay active. It improves cardiovascular health, lowers stress levels, and helps with weight control. When done with friends, a daily walk can serve as a time for community building, introspection, and isolation for black women over 50.
If you are interested in joining a walking group, especially one for black women over 50 who want to engage in physical activities and build community, there are groups dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and camaraderie through Walking and hiking.
One outstanding organization is GirlTrek, a global movement encouraging black women to walk for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. GirlTrek encourages its members to walk for 30 minutes daily to empower themselves and build community.
For those in the metro Atlanta area looking to explore the outdoors and connect with fellow hiking enthusiasts, check out Ch8sing Waterfalls. Ch8sing Waterfalls empowers women of color to embrace healing while forging diversity and changing the narrative of the outdoors, one hike at a time.
Dancing
Dancing is an enjoyable pastime and a powerful physical movement. It combines cardiovascular exercise with muscle strengthening and balance.
Dancing has several advantages beyond its health; it can be a joyful and cultural expression connecting us to our roots and traditions. Studies show that a 30-minute dance class burns 130 and 250 calories, about the same as jogging. Google to discover dance classes in your area. Alvin Ailey Dance Company offers free and low-cost online dance classes.
Chair Exercises
Chair exercises are an excellent choice for those with mobility limitations or who find standing exercises difficult.
Chair exercises can strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance joint mobility, making them ideal for maintaining independence and functionality.
YouTube is an excellent source for finding simple and easy chair exercises. You can also check out Geri-Fit for chair exercise classes for seniors in your area.
Gardening
Gardening involves a range of physical movements, such as digging, planting, pulling weeds, and watering. It is healthy for the body and provides healing properties and a strong bond with the natural world, feeding the spirit. If you are looking for garden classes, check out Eventbrite for gardening workshops in your area, or AARP offers free online gardening classes.
Water Aerobics
Water aerobics offers a low-impact yet very efficient exercise. It’s a popular choice for many black women over 50 because it combines physical activity with therapeutic benefits, particularly for maintaining healthy joints. The YMCA is great for water aerobics classes tailored to individuals over 50. Also, some senior centers (with pools) offer water aerobics classes, as do local community centers.
These activities are great because they’re easy, fun, affordable, and can significantly boost the well-being of Black women over 50. Whether it’s a relaxing swim or an energetic dance, each movement brings strength, vitality, and joy.
Testimonies
The real magic of physical movement unfolds in the stories of those who’ve woven it into their lives. Read the testimonies from three black women over 50 about how incorporating regular physical activity has been transformative.
Me, 59
For me, engaging in physical activities like long walks or runs, yoga, or stretching greatly enhances my overall well-being. Mentally, it helps me stress less and think more clearly. Physically, it makes me feel strong and healthy. Spiritually, moving my body is a way to feel closer to something bigger, bringing peace and a sense of being part of the world. Physical movement also makes me feel like I’m putting myself first.
Glenda, 66
Glenda has discovered the fountain of youth, flowing right through the soles of her walking shoes. Walking is her go-to for maintaining physical fitness and a vibrant mind and spirit. She shares, “Walking isn’t just exercise; it’s my therapy. It lifts my mood, clears my head, and connects me with my surroundings deeply spiritually.”
For Glenda, the benefits extend beyond the immediate boost of energy and mood improvement. Her walking routine has become essential for her, too, leading to better sleep and refreshing mornings.
Glenda finds that regular walks keep her joints flexible and her movements fluid, reducing the discomfort that used to cloud her days. “My walks have become my natural remedy for arthritis. Each step strengthens my muscles and my resolve to stay active,” she says.
Moreover, walking has been instrumental in losing and managing her weight.
Onetha, 64
For Onetha, walking is more than just an activity; her chosen method of physical movement empowers her in numerous ways. Each step energizes her body and clears her mind, giving her the mental clarity to face life’s challenges head-on. Walking becomes a time for problem-solving, where solutions appear with the rhythm of her strides. It also plays a crucial role in her ability to manage overeating by serving as a mindful practice that reconnects her with her body’s needs, aiding in maintaining a healthy weight.
Through walking, Onetha finds strength, clarity, and balance, making it an essential part of her daily life for empowerment and wellbeing.
From their testimonies, one thing is clear: the impact of physical movement is profound, giving Black women over 50 the power to lead more fulfilling, healthier, and happier lives.
As we’ve explored, physical movement has the power to connect the mental, emotional, and physical facets of our lives—especially after the age of 50.
Whether dancing, Walking, chair exercises, gardening, or other forms of physical movement, Black women can revitalize their bodies and spirits, celebrate their rich cultural heritage, and foster community connections.
These activities are more than exercise; they deeply influence overall wellbeing, enriching the lives of Black women by providing joy, strengthening health, and enhancing a sense of belonging.
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Disclaimer
The content on this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not professional advice and should not replace consultation with a health care professional. RBL Wellness & Beauty LLC or I am not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or any other damages arising out of or connected in any way with the use of the information provided on this site, including recipes, advice, and tips.
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