The Simple Exercise Al Roker Does Every Day for Healthy Aging

Reviewed by Dietitian Katey Davidson, M.Sc.FN, RD, CPT

Key Points

• There are a variety of lifestyle habits that help support healthy aging, including exercise.

• Al Roker says the most important thing he focuses on as he gets older is maintaining his balance.

• Balance exercises may help support brain health and prevent falls in older adults.

When it comes to getting older, there are a variety of lifestyle habits that can support healthy aging. From eating a balanced diet and prioritizing sleep to staying connected with others and engaging in physical activity, there’s a lot you can do to support “living your best life” as you age.

And while there are plenty of supplements marketed for longevity, along with intricate wellness routines that claim to add years to your life, sometimes the simplest habits make the biggest difference.

And who better to walk us through their go-to healthy aging habits than America’s favorite weatherman, Al Roker? After all, he spends a good portion of his day on his feet telling us whether we should expect rain, snow or sunshine. When it comes to his own health, Roker says one of the most important things he focuses on as he gets older is maintaining his balance.

“I think healthy aging is about trying to maintain your core, trying to maintain some strength, balance, not falling,” he says. “One of the things that’s been most important is working on my balance.”

And Roker may be onto something. In fact, research suggests that balance exercises may even benefit brain health, which is an important factor to consider for healthy aging. Additionally, balance exercises can help reduce the risk of falls, a major concern for older adults.

Balance exercises are also an incredibly accessible way to add more physical activity to your day. You don’t need any special gear or equipment, and you can easily do them at any time—even while you’re working, just like Roker. “Like balancing on one leg—that’s something you can do even when you’re not training,” he says. “You know, sometimes I’m just standing in front of the weather map, I’ll just balance on one leg to see how long I can do that for.”

Right now, Roker says the longest he can hold a single-leg balance is 30 seconds on each leg, adding the caveat that “some days, you know, [it’s] a little easier than others.” And that’s an important reminder when starting any new exercise routine—building balance and strength takes time, and how your body feels can vary from day to day.

That said, incorporating balance activities into your routine may help support healthy aging in a variety of ways—from supporting brain health to reducing the risk of falls. Research suggests that fall-prevention programs generally include balance training about two to three days per week. If you’re looking to incorporate more balance exercises into your weekly routine, here are a few accessible options to try:

• Walk heel-to-toe. From a standing position, walk in a straight line, placing one foot directly in front of the other so that your heel grazes your toe with each step. Try walking about 10 feet back and forth three times.

• Practice standing from a seated position. Start by sitting in a chair or on the couch and practice standing up. As this becomes easier, you can try sitting on the floor and practice getting up from there.

• Try a wobble board. If you’re looking for a challenge, a wobble board can help you work on your balance. Keep your legs and core engaged as you practice, and use a stable surface for support if needed.

• Strengthening muscles in the back, abdomen and legs. Body-weight exercises such as planks, crunches and squats can help strengthen the muscles that support balance and stability as you age.

There may be plenty of products and elaborate routines marketed for longevity, but Roker reminds us that, oftentimes, the simplest habits can make the biggest difference. So the next time you’re watching the weather and Roker tells you what’s happening in your neck of the woods, take a cue from him and check in on what’s happening with your balance too. Because while healthy aging can sometimes feel like it requires an expensive supplement or complicated routine, Roker’s approach couldn’t be simpler: Build strength, work on your balance and find little ways to move throughout the day—even if you’re just standing in front of a weather map.

Read the original article on EatingWell