Welcome back!
As we age, it becomes all the more important to take a look at our lifestyle. Are we living the best we can to maximize the time we have left on earth?
Living a healthy lifestyle will go a long way in ensuring we stay active and vibrant as long as possible. After all, most of us have grandchildren we want to enjoy, sons and daughters we would like to spend time with, and friends and neighbors to gather with for social activities.
The better we feel, the more we will enjoy our senior years. Here are a few tips to help us stay as healthy and active as possible:
Keep Moving!
We have all heard it before. We must keep moving to stay healthy. Whether it’s walking, swimming, hiking, aerobics, or yoga, we must stay active to stay healthy. We should try to meet the recommended 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise at least five times per week.
I know that is pretty heavy amount of time for many seniors, but if we break it down to doing something several times a day for 10-15 minutes then we are helping ourselves more than if we do nothing at all.
Eat Wisely
Eating wisely by following good nutritional habits will help us stay healthy. Eating smaller portions of the right food 4-6 times a day is better than eating more than we need three times a day. Now that summer is here, we have ample opportunity to take advantage of the food coming from our gardens.
If you don’t have a garden, check out the local farmers market. Most have a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to choose from. You can also pick up some fresh flowers or delicious baked goods while you are there. If you live close enough, walk there and back for extra exercise.
Quit Smoking
If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Smoking kills literally thousands every year and causes untold health complications.
Watch Your Weight
If you are overweight, do what you can to lose as much as possible to get yourself back to your appropriate weight. Increased weight leads to numerous problems including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes.
Before beginning any type of weight-loss program, be sure to check with your physician or health care provider.
Keep Up The Good Work!
If possible, gather a few friends or relatives together and keep each other updated on how you are doing as you work on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you can work out with others, that will help keep you motivated.
Keep a simple food and activity journal to help track your progress. Success breeds success. As you see your weight go down and your physical activity increase, you will feel much more motivated to continue.
Living a healthy lifestyle is paramount to enjoying life. Start today and see what happens in the next few months. You won’t succeed at living a healthy lifestyle until you get started. You will be glad you did!
