Living a long life is something I'm sure we all want. But how many of us consciously think about living a healthy long life? Of course there are a few that never exercise and eat all the wrong foods that live an active life well in to their ninety's. But most of use aren't so lucky that way. We may get the chance to live a long time but we will need to do something about living healthy. Why is that? A lot of it seems to be that we are programmed to think that as we get older we just can't do the things we did when we were younger. I'm sure you've heard people say things like "leave that for the younger kids' or "I'm to old to do that".
Stimulation is an outside action that will cause some kind of a response. It can be an odor, something that you touch, something that you see, or something that you here.
As you get older those outside actions need to include an activity that causes your muscles to react (getting stronger), a new activity (learning a musical instrument or a new language), meeting new people (joining groups).
Muscles and the brain have a "use it or lose it" mentality. This is especially true as you get older.
If you don't stimulate your muscles with exercise they will over time get smaller and lose the strength to get you around easily and safely.
The brain is really no different. If you only sit at home watching TV (not much of a mental challenge) brain function over time will decrease. Along with other body functions.
The snippet below is from an article I found a couple of weeks ago that has some good information about all this. I hope you find it useful and can apply some of it to your life.
If you recognize where this article is from, could you please let me know so I can give proper credit to the author.
Maintaining strength, balance, and stability is so important as you get older that I can't stress it enough. Older does not mean that you are in your 60's or beyond. It is any point in your life when you stop taking care of your body and you mind.
There are many people that I have met who are many years younger than me in terms of age and make me feel like they are older than me. Why? Because they have stopped, or not even started, taking care of themselves.
You probably know if you are one of those types. Check what kind of physical condition you are in right now.
Is it a struggle to get out of a chair? Do you easily stumble or lose your balance?
Are you shaky going down a set of stairs?
Do your legs tire easily?
If you find the answer is yes to some or all of these questions then you need to do something about the lower half of your body. To put it bluntly, if you don't get some strength in your legs you are screwed. It's the key to enjoying life as you get older. Strengthen your legs and you will find that your upper body will strengthen also.
Plus your attitude will improve and your outlook on life.
You may not want to join a gym or have weights at home for doing squats and other types of weight lifting. That is understandable. Using weights for fitness is not for everybody.
But there are some simple exercises you can do to improve you strength and stability.
Watch the video below by Kevin Gianni of the Renegade Health Show. These are great exercises for starting out and using for an everyday routine. If they are difficult for you at first do them by a table for extra stability. Once you get comfortable with these add some weight or increase the repetitions to add more muscle.
I just happened to stumble across this video that has some great exercises for the legs. If you are older and have noticed that your legs are getting weak and getting up and down out a chair is difficult these exercises are just for you. Even if you are not old they are a good way to start getting back into shape.
Leg strength is so important for your overall health, prevention of accidents, and general mobility. Especially as you get older.
Be like a boxer. The one with the stronger legs in the final rounds is usually the winner.
You can do these exercises without weights and add them later as you get stronger.
For some people a beginning fitness program may be as far as they ever get.
Whether it is from a lack of time or a lack of desire total fitness is not for everyone. I don't think there is any thing wrong with that way of thinking.
It is just like me with cooking. I will probably never be a great cook, but I do like to do the learn the basics. Maybe after time I will find that I enjoy it and venture further with the meals I prepare.
So it goes with fitness for some people. They will definitely benefit from a beginning fitness program and never take it any further, or they may find they like it and start adding more challenging routines to their program.
Below is a video that has some basic fitness routines that are beneficial to the beginner. If you are just starting out, give them a try.
After watching the videos of Bill Wilson and listening to what he has to say I have had to sit and think about the which categorie Mr. Wilson is in. Many people may say that he is a hero for being in such great health and being active at his age.
I have been trying to think if I have any heroes and I am not able to think of a single person.
But I do have role models that encourage me to be succesful with different aspects in my life.
Bill Wilson is a person that has become a role model for having an active life as I get older. Let me change that though. Not for when I get older, but for right now in my life.
Bill is showing all of us that at any point in our life we need to do certain things to be not just a spectator but a participant. Exercise is just one of those activities we need to do. We need to eat right, read and play games to keep our brain fit, and be a functioning part of our community.
It doesn't matter if you are under 40, over 40, or over 80, you need to be active.
Start now doing the things Bill is doing. Then when your 88 you can be someones role model.
This is a video I found of Scott Tousignant-The Fit Bastard-training and chatting with his client Bill Wilson. The remarkable thing about Bill is that he is 88 years old and did not begin any kind of an exercise program until he was 80 years old.
Can you imagine how his life would have been different if he had started his fitness and health program earlier in his life.
It should come as no surprise that Bill has become stronger and gained muscle mass during the last 8 years.
Use this video as motivation to begin your fitness program now instead of waiting until you are in your 80's. If your are in your 80's start tomorrow and enjoy an active life.
I just sent a note to Scott to find out how Bill was doing and got this update.
He is just now returning from a trip to Japan and will soon be leaving on a trip to Europe.
I just happen to stumble across an interview that Kevin Gianni did with Jonny Bowden that I find very informative about health and longevity. Although it is best to start as early in life as possible, Jonny is very clear that it is never too late to regain your health. In most cases the body is very forgiving and will repair itself from mistreatment.
Too often fitness is associated with weight training and big muscles. Fitness should be looked at more as a way of becoming healthy. Eating right, moderate exercise, being a part of a community, and even being in love are some of the simple things mentioned by Jonny Bowden.
Watch the video below and see how fitness and health is simple, no matter what your age. I strongly suggest you watch it more than once.
Not everyone is going to accomplish what you see in this video. Even though his time commitment is maybe just a few hours a week, lifting weights and going to the gym may not be your thing. Just find something that works for you. It can be anything that puts a small amount of stress on your body.
Get up and go for a walk. Instead of a stroll pick up the pace a little. Start walking up hills. Maybe half way the first time and then gradually increasing each day or week.
Just get up and do something. Enjoy the improvement and your life.
Don't wait until you're 71 to start. Get in shape at any age!
Thoughts about staying fit after 40. Or maybe more appropriate is staying fit after 50. And soon staying fit after 60
And so on, and so on, and soon.
For those out there that are always thinking about your age you need to stop thinking about the number. Start concentrating on just the words "staying fit".
Don't let the thought go through your head that you can't do something because of your age. Just try it. If you can't do it tell yourself and anyone else that the reason I can't do it is because I can't do it. It's not because of my age.
But of course your chances of succeeding will greatly increase if you have trained or made some attempt to stay fit.
Staying fit, which includes eating right, is the key to not thinking about your age as time moves on.
Often getting and staying fit is something that can't be done on our own. We need someone else's guidance or routine to follow. It can help a lot if we know exactly what needs to be done on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. And exactly what to have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If you are interested in a plan to follow you should take a look at Fit Over Forty. It's the best program out there for those that want to stay fit and not think about your age.
How would you like to add 14 years to your life? Who wouldn't? I know that when you are under 30 the idea of living forever is still lingering inside. But after 40 the idea of immortality begins to fade away and adding another 14 years to your life begins to take on some importance.
The University of Cambridge just completed a study showing that with some rather simple changes in your life style you really can extend your life a few more years. The results are definitely not a big "who would of thought of that". They are the same things that has been said for a long time.
1. Don't Smoke
2. Eat Fruits and Vegetables
3. Drink Alcohol In Moderation
4. Exercise Regularly
The big surprise for this study was not that these habits improve ones life, but how dramatic the benefits relate to an extended life. These benefits were seen regardless of whether people were overweight or what social class they came from.
There is no guarantee that if you make these changes to your lifestyle you are going to automatically gain 14 years of living. But your chances will improve considerably. Don't forget that when you take care of yourself by eating right, exercising, and not smoking, the you live will be more enjoyable because you are fit.
