As we get older, we should recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy weight. A healthy weight can help you live a longer and healthier life by decreasing your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. If we want to prioritize our health and independence, we must emphasize healthy lifestyle choices such as indulging in healthy foods and engaging in regular physical activity. Here are some tips to get you started.
Be Physically Active
Each week, aim for at least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. Feel free to spread it over the course of the week. You can work your way up to this number or establish your own, as long as you strive to be as physically active as possible. Integrating strength training twice a week would help to restore muscle and increase your metabolism too. Through regular exercise, you will be able to perform everyday tasks easier and remain independent without needing much assistance.
However, if you are not used to conducting strenuous activities for extended periods of time, you should consult with your doctor to confirm that it is safe for you to proceed. You may have underlying health issues such as dizziness, breathing difficulties, hernias, or a recent operation that might have worsened if you had proceeded without consulting. Your doctor may have some safety suggestions or recommend specific types of exercise for you.
Breaking Bad Habits
Old habits are hard to break. That is why we recommend you to make tiny changes to your lifestyles that will have a significant impact on your health positively in the long run. Some adjustments you can try are to reduce the amount of sugar you add to your tea or coffee. Instead of having sweet desserts like cakes and pastries, you can try to have fruit. Incorporating legumes such as lentils, beans, tofu, or peas instead of meat for dinner can also be another option. Regardless of what you choose to do, you can try making one small change every week.
Having A Balanced Diet
Sometimes less is better. With that saying, as we age, we need to learn to control the portion of our meals and not overeat as we would need to work twice as hard to burn all those unnecessary calories away for our health. The most efficient approach to reduce the likelihood of unexpected weight gain is to make healthy meals and snack choices. A nutritious diet should include lean protein, two servings of fruits, plenty of vegetables, and whole grains per day. Older adults who are concerned about their health should consult with their doctor on the best diet for them.
The Benefit of Managing Your Weight
You might be thinking if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages as a lot of time and effort has to go into making this a successful venture. It will undoubtedly be a challenging journey. Maintaining a healthy weight, on the other hand, is one of the most efficient strategies to keep the independence and freedom one desires as they age, increasing the probability of them continuing to enjoy the activities they prefer.
