This week in part two of my three part series Thriving Women I shared information on food and fitness to help women get through a time in their lives in which they may not be feeling their best, because of hormonal issues, stress of many responsibilities and a lack of time for self-care.
There, I said it, middle-aged ladies like me.
Here’s the thing. Whatever it is that is keeping us from living optimally (time, stress, menopause, etc.) the best antidote is healthy food and exercise.
I shared some tips with my friends about how to best manage time through meal planning and prep, and making time for movement (any kind), and reducing unnecessary stress.
Why it is so important to do this now?
I just turned sixty and I looked up what the average life expectancy is for a woman like me, born in 1959. Well, folks, it is 87.9 years according to Social Security . Which means I could live longer! The more important question has to do with how I will live. What is the quality of my life? Will I be feeble in body and mind? Or energetic and alert? Will my mind be intact, or will I suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s?
Taking care of myself now gives me a much better chance of a fulfilling and physically active life, with an active mind. I’ll take that, thanks! The alternative doesn’t appeal to me at all.
We have all seen older people who are curved over their walkers, shuffling around. We have all been exposed to members of our family who have been placed in nursing homes or are in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation centers for what is often a symptom of lifestyle choices.
Metabolic syndrome – high blood pressure, high sugar levels, high triglycerides and excess fat around the waist all increase our chances of heart disease and stroke, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. In fact, some doctors refer to adult onset diabetes as “diabesity” because it so often results from obesity.
The good news is that these chronic diseases can be thwarted by changing patterns of behavior and managing our stress levels better. Eating well and exercisng regularly are some simple ways to decrease your morbidity. And decreasing your stress is so important too. Who hasn't heard of a 40-something having a heart attack at work?
The even better news is that it is now easier than ever to make these changes with small lifestyle hacks that will cumulatively make a big difference over time. Especially if you utilize a professional health coach to get you started.
Next week, in my final session of this three-part series, I will be sharing information on cutting edge technology and scientific studies which will further enhance our quality of life right now and well into the future. If you are committed to finding out more about nutrition science benefits and aging well, join me at the library at 2pm next Saturday. Don’t just survive – thrive!
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