Do you remember when your hair started turning gray? Or what about when you started straining your eyes more to read the labels in your cabinet? If you remember these times, you are among the thousands of people feeling the physical signs of aging.
It's not fun for most of us, I definitely wasn't thrilled by these physical reminders of getting old.
But, they say you're just as old as you feel.
I'm not giving out my age, but I'm definitely not going to let aging stop me from enjoying life.
Many of these aging processes can be controlled to some degree.
Here are a few tips of managing those common issues that creep up on all of us as we age: 1.
Weight Training Helps Keep Stronger Bones--Bones lose their density as we grow older.
It's just a fact of life.
There are ways to reduce bone loss simply by adding weight-bearing exercise such as walking.
This alone will help slow that aging process.
Yoga or free weights are two other good options.
I like the free weights myself, but it's all a personal preference as long as you do something.
Making sure your diet has enough vitamin D and calcium is also very important.
2.
Getting the Best Sleep--It's important to make sure to keep your bedroom for sleeping.
Your bed may be a great place to read, snack or even watch TV, but it can make a make you sleepy at times other than bedtime.
Avoiding caffeine, sweets and heavy meals at night will help for a better night's sleep.
I love eating early and then going for a walk outside.
This helps enhance your body's natural sleep patterns, as well.
3.
Watch the Scale--We all had such a high metabolism when we were younger.
I could eat twice as much as my brothers and never gain a pound.
But as we get older, we tend to be less active, burning fewer calories.
This in itself decreases muscle, which in effect burns calories less efficiently.
The more muscle you have, the easier it is to burn up those extra calories.
As you lose muscle, fat usually increases.
I enjoy riding a stationary bike and using free weights, as well.
In essence you need to cut calories and increase activities to reach or maintain your ideal weight.
Ideal is obviously different for everyone, but you know where you want to be, so go for it! I love adding extra veggies and fruits, helping fill up on good foods in order to avoid excess high calories.
It works! Aging is not horrible; it's just part of life.
I thought I'd dread the day I starting getting gray hair and seeing those extras lines on my face, but as long as I work on eating healthy and keep active, it's just another phase of life.
It's a lifestyle change that will keep me feeling young.
I'm not getting old, I'm just getting better.
You can too!