Here’s How to Stay Young

I could make this the shortest post in blog history by just writing the following: “Diet and Exercise!”

Exercise

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? But what is our society doing to make this a reality?

If you watch any TV — or you read newspapers or magazines, they’re all filled with various pills you can take to lose weight — while at the same time tempting you with pictures and ads for sugar and fat-laden goodies. Now, there’s no guarantee that you’ll live into your “elder years” just by eating right and exercising regularly, but you’ll sure improve your chances — in a big way!

Yet, our streets are made for drivers, not people walking or biking (although bike paths are becoming more available) — and we’ve made fast-food the way to get a meal, rather than taking the time to cook something healthy. Sure, I know time is a factor — we’re all so busy that coming home to a nice home-cooked meal is a rarity.

With 35 million Americans aged 65 and older — a number expected to double during the next 25 years — seniors and government must both make healthy choices, said Nancy Whitelaw, director of the National Council on the Aging’s Center for Healthy Aging, which funded the report.

When it comes to nutrition and activity, “people know the message,” she said. “The challenge is to make it operational in our daily lives.”

People who exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and avoid tobacco have a much better chance of avoiding chronic diseases that lead to premature death, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain cancers. They also have reduced rates of disability, better mental health and cognitive function, and lower health costs.

Yet, approximately one-third of persons age 65 or older have not engaged in any leisure-time physical activity within the past month, including the majority of those over the age of 75, according to the study.

Just 30 minutes of activity five days a week can make the difference, said Whitelaw. The idea is to get your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes, and participate in activities that build balance, strength and flexibility. Recommended exercises include walking, swimming and bicycling. Doctors also endorse strength training two days per week.

So reach for an apple instead of the chips, Whitelaw said. And if you can’t do 30 minutes of exercise at a time, try it in 10-minute spurts. You can also stretch when you’re washing the dishes, take the stairs rather than the elevator, and walk across the parking lot rather than fight for the spot closest to the door. Better still, walk to your destination if it’s less than a mile away.

These are things we all know, she said. “We just got out of the habit.”

Have a healthy day.

Shanti,

Ron

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Ron Rink (See my profile on the “Contributors” page — the link is in the upper right hand corner) writes regularly in his “Nutrition and Weight Loss” blog at: http://www.wecould2.com. Be sure to stop by, check it out, and leave a comment.
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