... BUT DON’T OVERDO IT!

FOR all the proven health benefits of exercise, I really must stress that it’s very important not to overdo it — particularly if you haven’t worked out for a while.

If your regime is too strenuous, you can end up with tissue damage and actually increase inflammation in the short term.

So it is important to embark on a training programme, preferably one that is supervised, that will build up your fitness gradually. Build up your exercise levels sensibly, so your muscles, heart, lung and joints can repair between sessions. Your body will also gradually increase its levels of antioxidant enzymes (vital for repair and fighting disease). This is particularly important for older people whose bodies adapt more slowly to these changes.