Q: My elderly parents haven't maintained a regular exercise program in years.

I'd like to see them get back into shape but I can't get them to start walking every day, and weightlifting is definitely out of the question. Any ideas?

A: Don't be too hard on your parents. Keep in mind that it is tough for most people to restart exercising after years of inactivity.

Research shows that half of sedentary people are unable to maintain a newly adopted exercise program. And while there are numerous studies showing the benefits of strength training for the elderly, your parents don't have to rush out to the weight room.

A recent study from the Oregon Research Institute suggests that Tai Chi, a low-impact Chinese exercise, can help older people regain some of the physical functioning that they may have lost to inactivity. Seniors taking Tai Chi classes reported better physical functioning both at the three-month midpoint and the six-month end of the pilot study.

Tai Chi may offer a particularly attractive form of fitness activity for this population. Members of the classes described the lessons as a positive experience with wide-ranging benefits that both energized and relaxed them. They felt it had helped them build better flexibility, balance and strength.

From Healthy.net