A
long life starts with a healthy lifestyle
Metro —
As the aging process progresses, most men begin making health a priority. But
many of the health problems both men and women encounter as they age are the
result of lifestyle choices they made when they were younger and continued to
practice as they got older. Simply put, what’s done to a body today will affect
how it behaves tomorrow.
Fortunately,
the human body has an amazing capacity to recuperate, meaning it’s never too
late to make lifestyle changes that can make a person’s golden years more healthy
and enjoyable. While the term “lifestyle change” can seem overwhelming, many of
these changes are far easier to put into practice than it might seem.
• Watch
your weight. Obesity levels have exceeded, reached or are approaching all-time
highs in many developed nations. Obesity can be especially harmful to adults
approaching their senior years, as obesity increases a person’s risk for
diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
Maintaining
a healthy weight is one of the best things a person can do to avoid the series
of problems that men and women can encounter as they get older. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention points out that defining a healthy weight
depends on a number of individual factors. For example, age is a determining
factor, as a healthy weight for an individual at 45 might not be considered
healthy when that individual turns 60.
Because
each person is unique, defining a healthy weight is something that should be
discussed on a case-by-case basis with a physician. Even if a friend of the
same age and similar body type has been given a healthy weight, for instance,
this doesn’t mean that’s a healthy weight for all people of that age and body
type. Past health history and physical activity level are significant factors
in determining a healthy weight, too.
• Make
dietary changes. To some, the thought of changing their diet is an unwelcome
one. Because food is such a big part of most people’s lives, this is often seen
as the most difficult lifestyle change to make. However, a series of subtle
changes as opposed to a massive dietary overhaul can do the trick.
While
many people eat healthily during their three meals per day, it’s the in-between
meals hours where diet often suffers the most. Snacks high in saturated fat, such
as potato chips, can be very unhealthy.
By
switching snacks to a serving of fruit or vegetables, men and women can ensure
they’re getting their recommended servings each day, and may be reducing the
risk of cancer and other chronic diseases as a result.
The
majority of fruits and vegetables are low in fat and calories, and also provide
essential vitamins and minerals. For those unsure of how much fruit or
vegetables they should be eating each day, the CDC offers a fruits and
vegetables calculator on its Web site at www.cdc.gov.
• Be
more active. Becoming more physically active is something many adults need to
do. The CDC estimates that 50 percent of American men and women do not get
enough physical activity to provide health benefits. Physicians recommend 30
minutes of daily, moderate physical exercise. While finding the time each day
can be a commitment, 30 minutes, the length of a typical television sitcom,
really is not much time at all.
Those
who haven’t been active in a while need to ease back into being physically
active, perhaps starting with a daily walk on flat ground and then gradually
tailoring a routine that is more challenging and beneficial as the body
acclimates itself to daily activity. Again, because every person is unique, it’s
best to consult a physician before beginning any new exercise routine.
•
Recognize and deal with stress. Stress can be very harmful to all men and
women. The negative side effects of stress are both physical and mental. Stress
can lead to excess weight gain, which, as previously mentioned, can increase
the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Mentally, excess stress affects mood, which can negatively impact relationships
with friends, family and coworkers.
While stress is
a fact of life for most, both in their professional and private lives, it’s
important to recognize that stress can be very detrimental. Though there are no
guaranteed and foolproof ways to reduce and manage stress, research has shown
that exercise has proven a reliable source of stress relief for many people.