Good Health Habits at 50 and 60 and Beyond
Do you feel as good now as you did at 40 years of age? At 50? At 60?
If the answer is no, read on. You might be able to feel as good as you used to—or even better—by picking up 1 or 2 new good health habits. It may seem like more trouble than it's worth to start doing something new.
However, even small changes can improve your health. One small change you can make is to add some activity to your daily life. Another is to eat more fiber.
What if I've never been very active? Will starting now really make a difference?
Yes! Physical activity is good for people at any age. Among older adults, falls are a common cause of injury and disability. Physical activity makes your bones and muscles stronger. When your muscles are strong, you're less likely to fall. If you do fall, strong bones are less likely to break.
Regular physical activity is good for your brain too. Recent studies have shown that people who do simple exercises (for example, walking briskly) on a regular basis are better able to make decisions than people who aren't physically active.
I haven't been physically active in a long time. I'm afraid I'll get hurt when I start.
From diabetes to heart disease, many chronic (ongoing) health problems are improved by even moderate amounts of physical activity. For people who have these conditions, not exercising is a bigger risk than exercise-related injury.
Talk with your doctor about your plans before you get started. Your muscles will very likely be sore when you first increase your physical activity, but don't consider that a reason to stop. Mild soreness will go away in a few days as you become more used to the physical activity.
What's the best way to get physically active now?
For most people, walking is one of the easiest activities to do. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week, but you don't have to do all 30 minutes at once. Try walking for 15 minutes twice each day or for 10 minutes 3 times each day.
People who have started being physically active later in life say that exercising with a partner or a friend is the best motivation to stick with it. Some suggest starting or joining a walking group with friends or neighbors. Others suggest getting a dog that needs to be walked.
If walking isn't your idea of a good time, try gardening or dancing. Go fishing or swimming. The activity can be enjoyable and good for you.
What about strength training?
When your muscles are strong, activities like getting out of a chair or holding a door open are much easier. If you decide to lift weights, start with a 1-pound or 5-pound weight. If you don't have weights, you can use a can of soup, a book or a full water bottle. Keep your weights in the same room as your television and do a few exercises while you watch.
Another way to build muscle is to use a resistance band (also called an exercise band). Resistance bands are flexible and come in different lengths. They are commonly used to strengthen upper arm and leg muscles.
Why should I eat more fiber?
Fiber can improve your health in 3 ways:
It helps your colon work better;
It reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer; and
It is associated with lower cholesterol levels.
Men over 50 years of age should get 30 grams of fiber per day; women over 50 should get 21 grams per day. |