Three Ways To Live A Healthier Lifestyle

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

It was during my forties that I turned my focus to living a healthier lifestyle. My 20s and 30s were pretty carefree as far as my health goes. I was young and reckless and didn't think too much about taking the best care of myself. But now that I am in my fifties, I can't be as careless about my health. I have to prioritize exercising, eating right, and self-care. Here are the 3 ways I focus on a healthier lifestyle in mid-life.

1. EXERCISE
It goes without saying that exercise is one of the most important parts of any healthy lifestyle. As humans, we are designed to be active. When you exercise, two chemicals known as endorphins and serotonin are released by your body. Both of these chemicals have positive effects on your chemical makeup and therefore your body feels energized and your mindset is influenced positively.

Most medical professionals recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week and doing strength training at least three times a week. So that means you could go for three one hour runs and lift weights on alternate days, for example. But if you are just starting out, be sure to start slowly and work up to what you can reasonably handle. You don't want to burn out or become so sore that you never want to workout again.

The Gym
The first place to consider exercising is a gym. It is unlikely that you are going to have home facilities that match what's available at a gym. They are like temples dedicated to exercise and the art of working out, so they pride themselves on having all of the equipment you could possibly hope for and professional help to guide you.

There are pros and cons to using a gym, and one of the cons is that people who are new to exercise can be intimidated by the environment. However, for those of you who are motivated by being surrounded by fellow exercisers or even aren’t remotely concerned with other people, then the gym is the place for you. This is especially true for someone starting out who needs some advice. Gyms will have professional trainers on site who will guide you through equipment and routines to help you achieve your fitness goals.

I belong to a gym and there are so many things I love about my gym, but they aren't for everyone. Also, I work out 4-5 times per week and mix up my activity. I alter between heavy cardio (running 3-5 miles, Stairmaster for 60 mins) to weight training to yoga and Pilates.

At Home
For those who aren't fond of being physically active in front of other people, then the privacy of your own home is as good a place as any to work out. Today, there are several ways that you can work towards your fitness plan using things like workout DVDs, internet forums, YouTube videos, and reference books.

However, before you start working out at home make sure you have enough space for the regime that you are planning on doing and the equipment you will need. It might seem expensive at first to buy things like weights and yoga mats, but if you’re committed to the home workout plan, then you will quickly make that money back by not having a monthly gym fee. Some of the activities you can do at home include yoga, Pilates, weight training, and aerobics.

Outdoors
The final location is the big wide world. Restricting your routine to the indoors might seem a little bit too claustrophobic to you, and getting outside is a more alluring option. If that is the case, you can open up a whole world of activities, especially with aerobic exercise in mind. You can go for a run, cycle, or do yoga in open spaces like parks and commons.

If being active outside appeals to you, then you might want to consider looking up a local class or boot camp. These groups gather outside and put themselves through rigorous exercise that is guided by an instructor. You will get clear guidance and also tick off another important factor to being healthy, socializing.

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2. DIET
Diet and exercise go hand in hand. What you put in your body needs to properly fuel the exercise you do in order to expend that energy. A good diet plan should always be about ensuring your body is supplied with the nutrients it requires to function at optimum capacity. With that in mind, you need  the six important dietary elements that your body demands:
  • Carbohydrates
  • Fats
  • Protein
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Water
Rather than focussing your attention solely on how many calories you are intaking, think of your day as one big meal plan. Consider calories based on your exercise strategy and overall health goals but also the required nutrients to survive. Carbohydrates give you energy. Protein supports your immune system, and water helps your vital organs flush toxins from your body. You might want to download an app like MyFitnessPal which is designed to help you keep track of your eating, so not only are you meeting your goals, but also keeping your body properly nourished.

3. SKINCARE
Part of a healthy lifestyle includes personal care, especially skincare. You can never start too early when caring for your skin. I was a little late to the game, only starting in my mid-30s. I regret that I didn't make skincare a priority earlier, and I most certainly regret the extreme sunbathing I did as a teen. 🤦‍♀️

There are so many products on the market today that make skincare easy, accessible, and affordable. If you want something quick and easy, a face mask is a popular favorite. There are helpful guides such as https://www.siobeauty.com/blogs/news/face-masks-for-acne that offer advice on what products are best for your skin and other similar skincare tips.

At a minimum, you should be cleaning and moisturizing every morning and evening. I use face masks 2 times per week and an exfoliator one day a week. And always wear SPF!

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