Taking care of our health is something we should all be doing if we want a long, happy life, and is especially important now as keeping a healthy body weight and getting important nutrients helps you fight disease. In my last post, I discussed the importance of a healthy diet to maintaining a healthy weight and some things that have worked for me. This time I will talk about some other aspects of being healthy and what has worked for me in recent years.
I try to be physically active. Our bodies need to move to be healthy. I have lower back problems, and my chiropractor and other doctors all tell me exercise helps with back pain. You need muscle mass to help support you back, so weight bearing exercise is good too. If you haven't exercised in a while, start small. Go for short walks. Just try to get moving and be consistent even when you don't feel like it. Be sure to talk to your doctor before you start an exercise regimen if you have health issues. You could also get good advice from your chiropractor or join a gym that has a professional trainer.
There are some things you should keep in mind if you are starting to exercise for the first time. Find an activity you enjoy so you will stick with it. Get the right shoes for the type of activity you will be doing. Invest in quality shoes as well. Working out with a partner makes it more likely that you will continue the habit. It gives you accountability, and it makes working out more fun. I have been going to the gym for a long time and work out with my husband who has a lot of experience with lifting weights. If you do not have experience, get some help getting started so you do not injure yourself.
It's also important not to push yourself too hard, especially as you get older. If you injure yourself, it could set you back on your health journey. A good rule of thumb is if it consistently hurts, stop doing it. For example, I quit using certain weight machines because it was hurting my knee. I do not want to wear my knee out. I also cannot do a lot of bending-over exercises because of issues with my lower back. Those types of repetitive movements could lead to early degeneration of the discs in my lower spine. I found substitutes for those exercises that allow me to continue building strength in certain muscle groups.
I go outside. Getting sunlight and fresh air is good for us. Women especially get low on Vitamin D, and getting regular sun helps. Do it in spurts when it's hot, and protect yourself from sun exposure between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Getting outside is great for my mental health as well. I work inside all day in a windowless office staring a computer screen, and it makes me a whole lot happier when I take a break and walk a few blocks or get out in nature on the weekend.
I get regular checkups from my doctor. As you get older, this becomes more and more important. Checkups can prevent something serious from getting out of hand, like cancer. My doctor made me get a colonoscopy at age 44 because my younger sister survived colon cancer. Sure enough, there were precancerous polyps that would've turned into cancer if I had waited until I was having problems to get checked.
I also go to a chiropractor. Most people experience aches and pains, more so as they get older, and even more if you have a job with repetitive movements or you sit at a desk all day or stand on your feet all day. Going to a chiropractor helps me with aches and pains without having to take pills all the time. Medicine is helpful and is sometimes needed, but getting an adjustment is much easier on your body than pain medication or steroid shots. Chiropractors also give good advice on what you can do on your own to help with aches and pains, like stretching and specific exercises.
I take supplements. I have heard conflicting information on supplements. Many fit people take them, but I have heard some doctors say they do not help while others say they do. They seem to help me. I take a multivitamin for women. Do your research to find out which vitamins are right for you and if the maker of the vitamin makes a quality product. I also take other supplements for specific things that I tend to be short on and have had to be prescribed for, like iron and Vitamin D. I know many fit and healthy people who take supplements prior to and after they work out. If you are unfamiliar with supplements, do some research and talk to your doctor.
I also take a fiber supplement. I'm not going to go into detail, but this has been a game changer for me. This is another thing my husband has tried to get me to do for years, but I put it off because I thought it would taste bad. It doesn't, and it's made a huge difference in my gut health. And when your gut is working right, it affects all kinds of aspects of your health. One of my kids started taking it when she was having some stomach problems, and that's all that was needed. No drugs or drastic diet changes were required. It's also something my gastroenterologist suggested.Finally, find knowledgeable and trustworthy people you can get ideas and advice from. I would suggest talking to someone that is your age or older and understands changes that happen to the body as it ages. Those people can be doctors, fitness professionals, or simply people who have experience in that area and show that what they do works for their bodies. I am fortunate to have a fitness-minded husband who has helped me out a lot since I have entered my 40s.
All of these actions will help your immune system. And if you can develop healthy habits and stick with them most days, you will see results in your overall health - like better sleep and more energy, weight loss, and a happier disposition. When you adopt healthy habits, you are less likely to get sick, and when you do, you will be able to handle it better. Good luck!
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