LIfestyle Changes for Positive Health Benefits - Aging Gracefully

[HawkinsHollow]

I am 50 and while I don't feel or look (or act for that matter) my age yet I slowly feel the years creeping in. I learn A LOT from you old farts on here. Under your sometimes prickly exteriors there is years of collective knowledge and a yearning to contribute to the greater good of humanity. It shows and it is what makes this forum a great place.

As we age we learn a lot about ourselves and our bodies. My question to you is what have you learned about your bodies as you have aged? What things have caused a positive lifestyle change? Health benefit? What activity helped you get off some prescription? What supplements do you take and have you noticed a benefit? These things can be both mental and physical. Maybe it is something your friend has done and you wish you would have or could have. Maybe your grandparents lived to be 103 by doing this. ANYTHING to help us live a better healthier life as we age. Ready go!

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I will start... If I had one complaint about my health it would be flexibility and minor aches and pains in my hips and lower back after a day of activity. YOGA, I know I need more of it in my life because I just feel better both mentally and physically when I am doing it. I truly think it is one way to help your body age gracefully. Now I just need to get off my rear and make time for it a couple times per week.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Morning Hawkinshollow,
Get up every morning and try and enjoy another day on earth which is a true gift from God ! Have a positive outlook even when things are less than ideal !

Everyone is different in this world and we need to recognize this !

Lead a healthy lifestyle, for me at 73, I go for a long walk every day or an hike in better weather and keep active! For me there is no alcohol consumption during the week, on the weekends I have a couple of drinks ! That alone can get many people off of any blood pressure meds !

Get involved in projects or hobbies !
I have a few ! Keep your mind sharp by reading and for me I started learning a new language a few years ago !

Be kind and compassionate to people who have little or less than you !

These are a few ! Have a blessed and safe day !

 

[MattB4]

At 65 I am in good health and attribute much to having a daily walk of a few miles. Routine sleep habits and as the years passed having to add certain things such as blood pressure control medication, reflux medication, daily multivitamin, B-12 (due to pernicious anemia), and most recently supplemental fiber to help regularity. No smoking or illicit drugs.

I never was one for fanciful diets or extreme exercise routines. A daily multi mile walk out along the County road is a easy habit to maintain and does not put stress on the body like running does.

Low stress living is likely the key to getting the most lifespan out of anyone's body.

 

[bridge4]

I had someone come to where we work and talk about this. They encouraged a handful of things.

-Stretching regularly, and before any big activity
-You may not be able to stop all age related decay, but you can fight back. Do light strength training and body weight exercises.
-Keeping active and in shape doesn't mean doing the same thing everyday, if something gets easy, walk further, or do another pushup. You can build at this age, don't think you are shot yet! Even at 60-70 you can regain some of what you lost.

Sleeping and eating well obviously make the list as well. But it sounded like not giving up, and pushing back against father time is the best way to stop it.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Morning bridge4,

Do light strength training and body weight exercises.

Yes I forget that, closing in on 74 and I still do my pushups probably 4 or 5 times per week along with some incline sit-ups ! Good advice !

 

[bridge4]

Good Morning bridge4,

Yes I forget that, closing in on 74 and I still do my pushups probably 4 or 5 times per week along with some incline sit-ups ! Good advice !

I'm hoping at that age I'm doing that myself! Good for you! Even starting stretching in the morning, has stopped my back from hurting most the time. These little things can add up!

 

[riptides]

I think I will chime in, I took up karate in my younger years. As I aged the movements and mental disciplines, mediation while moving, helps immensely with life stresses.

Maybe look into Qi gong, also known as chi gong as a starter for mental to physical health.

 

[ronjhall]

At 82 I find the best I do is keep moving. When I am feeling bad. I go find something to do. But try to not overdo it. Can always finish it tomorrow.
With primary care Dr’s help I am off prescription drugs. I have no muscle or joint pains. You do not need to do hard exercise. 1/2 hour walk will get you 2 miles of walking.
Eat a good diet. I am not an expert. But not over eating seems to have helped me a lot.
My mom ran a seniors exercise class until she was 90. She lived to 96. Dementia was what she died from. My dad did the daily exercise until his drinking and smoking caught up with him at 87. Good genes help as you age. My siblings are all in their 80’s. Doing about the same as me health wise.