My dad likes to say how great he looks for his age. I like to compare myself to people ten and twenty years younger than me. I've been into exercise and good diet (on and off) for over thirty years, and am darn glad that I have. It's one reason I feel good, and it just makes sense that it's one reason I look good.
From News-Press:
Healthy aging starts with overall wellness and positive lifestyles choices. Eating a well-balanced diet, incorporating physical exercise into our daily routine and adopting positive wellness habits are all important steps to healthy aging.
The American Heart Association's campaign to educate women about heart health is in full swing this month as the focus is on the Go Red for Women initiative. The little red dress lapel pins have successfully branded this important campaign.
According to its website, the message is simple for women in later life. "The prevention prescription in your 60s is the same as it's always been - healthy diet and exercise."
An important first step is to know your numbers. Monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels and be aware of what is considered normal compared to numbers that should elicit attention.
The Go Red for Women website contains a helpful chart to refer to important numbers that affect heart health. Visit the website at goredforwomen.org.
It is never too late to adopt healthy lifestyle choices. If you smoke, now is a good time to stop. If you live with a smoker, take steps to help them eliminate the habit - their secondhand smoke is equally detrimental to your health. Recognize the effects that alcohol use has on heart health and consciously make an effort to consume alcohol only in moderation.
Pledge to focus on healthy eating and incorporate regular exercise into your schedule. This will help to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, which goes a long way toward the goal of heart health and overall wellness.
To get off to a good start, start your day with a nutritious breakfast including fruit such as cherries and blueberries. Follow this positive step with a 30-minute walk around your neighborhood. Within an hour, you will have incorporated two important steps to healthy aging in your daily routine. Before you know it, healthy lifestyle choices will become a natural part of your day.
Finally, focus energy on reducing stress. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh and elicit positive feelings. Slow down and take time to enjoy the moments you have to spend with friends and family. Take deep breaths. Accept the things you cannot change and try to eliminate whatever you can on your worry list. Get a good night's sleep. Give back by volunteering for a cause dear to your heart.
