How proper fitness and nutrition can steer us away from being old and grumpy
Let’s face it: Aging cannot be prevented. Even though we might view aging as a spiral that is slowly getting out of control, we in fact, can manage our aging process! I mean, there is a difference between waking up one morning and feeling like Ozzy Osbourne on a long night out or Sophia Loren on summer’s day. And even though we think there is nothing to be done about wrinkles and stiff necks, it is never too late to change your ways! In recent years the medical industry discovered that we don’t actually have to be our ‘birthday’ age and that we can completely control how our insides and outsides look (considering that there are environmental and genetic factors). Proper nutrition and fitness have shown to decrease your age as you age. The measurement of age can be expressed in two ways:
Chronological age: the age measured according to the calendar
Physiological age: the age measured according to how your body is functioning compared to averages found in different age groups.
Proper nutrition and fitness can decrease your chronological age as fitness increases your lifespan…literally. An increase in body functioning and the ability to perform will allow an individual to sustain an enjoyable and productive lifestyle in their later years in life, not mentioning that you’ll actually feel younger almost instantly. The quality of life is as important as the length of your life…so what else is there to say?
Physiological adaptations (other than looking fabulous) that occur with fitness training and proper nutrition can counteract the effects of aging, disease and inactivity. And if this long list of adaptations doesn’t convince you to get on the bandwagon then I don’t know what does.
Physiological adaptations: Decrease in resting heart rate, decrease in sub maximal heart rate (under a workload), decrease in resting blood pressure (if elevated), decrease in blood lipids, decrease in body fat, increase in heart rate recovery (after a workload), increase in heart size, increase in heart efficiency, increase in blood supply to the heart, increase in efficiency of oxygen exchange, increase in lung capacity, increased maximum oxygen uptake (ability to perform), increased lean body mass, increased strength, increased bone density, increased ability to handle stress, increased flexibility, increased strength, increased coordination, increased sex drive…and many more!
Aging gracefully is hard, I know. But there are many small lifestyle changes that can happen today:
Replace coffee with organic green tea filled with anti-oxidants
Wake up ½ hour earlier to do a simple workout routine
Throw away everything in your kitchen that is chemical hell (e.g. Diet coke/ Doritos)
Stop smoking!
Have a ½ hour siesta!
Replace binge nights with one glass of red wine
Go to bed early and get your beauty sleep
Think positive and engage in positive self-affirmations.
Please check out my new website at www.theartofbody.com
For Questions/Advise and interest in personal training: ns@theartofbody.com / 08123 89 09 99
