It’s the first time in recent history that our health and our capacity to live long and productive lives are not solely dependent on how lucky we got in the gene department. The idea that people fall out of shape as they get older is also no longer the norm. We have the ability to make changes in our lifestyle so that we’ll remain fit for life. Here are some tips on how to achieve that.
Understand Your Nutritional Needs
The first thing that anyone who’s interested in staying fit should understand is that at its core, the basics of healthy eating for both sexes are the same. However, both men and women do have some unique nutritional needs that must be met. For example, physically fit men and women of the same age have different calorie requirements. An average Joe needs about 600 to 800 cal more per day than the average Jane. Getting the right amount of daily nutrients will give us energy for the day and will lower the chances of developing certain diseases. Focus on fruits, grains, vegetables, lean meats and low-fat or fat-free dairy.
Stay at a Healthy Weight
We all have enjoyed that magical period in our lives when we could eat anything we want without fear of packing on the pounds. Alas, our nutritional demands go through significant changes as we get older. Weight gain becomes faster, our calorie needs go down and lean muscle mass is sometimes replaced by fat, particularly when our physical activity dwindles. Even those who remain active will notice that their metabolism slows down once they hit a certain age, making it challenging to maintain their ideal weight or to lose weight. However, it’s vital that we keep our weight in check as being overweight or obese can increase our chances of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Get Regular Medical Exams
Regular visits to the doctor become even more important as we get older. Make sure to ask your doctor how often you should visit and what screening tests you need to take to ensure good health. Don’t forget that prevention or early detection makes it easier to manage certain illnesses.
Don’t Forget your Medication
Taking prescribed medications correctly and at the right time could’ve prevented thousands of unnecessary deaths every year. So make sure you understand and follow your doctor’s instructions for all your prescribed medications, especially those that help control ailments like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Try to get enough sleep
Giving up a few hours of sleep to finish that report might seem like such a small sacrifice, but not getting the right amount of sleep affects both our mood and health. Be mindful also of conditions like sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly. Consult your doctor if you think your sleep apnea is becoming a serious problem.
Managing stress, staying away from alcohol and not smoking are also good lifestyle changes to make if you want to remain healthy.
Staying fit at any stage of life requires the 3 Cs – Courage, Consistency and Commitment. We should all have the courage to commit to being healthy and be consistent in making staying fit a part of our life.
