Getting older is a process that we can’t control. But we can always slow it down by following a healthy lifestyle. Our muscles and bones get weaker as we grow old, and it makes daily tasks difficult. It gets even worse for women as the muscle loss accelerates when they cross the age of 50. If you are a man or woman in your post-40s, this article is for you.
We have discussed some proven fitness and diet tips that experts recommend for healthy elderly living in this article.
- Pay attention to your health
We often see old people living an unhealthy life, eating junk food, drinking sugary beverages, and avoiding exercise. In India, people love eating sweets during and after the meal ignoring their negative impact on their health.
And when these things make them sick, they either go to doctors or gulp OTC medicines for a temporary cure. But often, the situation goes out of control after neglecting the health issues frequently. So, pay attention to your health and have healthy routines to live a happy life in your old age.
- Stay physically and mentally active
Generally, most people stop being active by the time they reach their 50s and after retirement. Fatigue and Inability to do work and exercise due to a weakening body are among the most common excuses. If you are one of them, it is time to stop being inactive and start physical activities. But physical inactivity only increases the problems.
Here are some of the ways you can keep yourself fit.
Outdoor exercising
Outdoor exercises are highly beneficial for elders as it provides fresh air and a joyful environment. If you have a park near you that has open gym equipments installed, you can go there in the morning or evening. If not, you can have some instruments for your own premises or backyard.
Apart from other workouts, you should go for brisk walking or jogging in the early morning or evening. You can go to the park or even walk on the sidewalks.
Strength training
Weak muscles and bones lose the strength to lift weights. It means this is the area where you need to keep training yourself. The more you do strength training, the more your capacity to lift weight will last longer. Remember that high-intensity interval training is not suitable even if it gives you a good cardio workout. Instead, you can go for a 30 minutes brisk walk. It will provide you with a lot of benefits apart from a healthy heart.
Flexibility training
Rigidity in joints is the most painful problem people have to suffer in their old age. You can’t stand and walk with the same comfort as you used to at your young age. It is because you start losing the flexibility of muscles and tissues connecting joints as you reach the 50s. Here, the exercises for flexibility like lunges, straddles, stretches, bends will help you a lot.
- Eat and drink for nutrition
You may be a taste lover and might have enjoyed your young years eating and drinking whatever you want. But as you cross the age of 50, it becomes crucial to watch your lifestyle, especially your consumption habits. The food and drink that you consume play a vital role in your health at this age.
Hence you should remove sugar and junk food and include the foods that provide better nutrition in your meals. Note that you don’t have to stop living a joyful life. You have to be mindful while choosing things that have a direct impact on your health and fitness.
- Eat 5 to 6 small meals a day
Your digestion system becomes weak as you grow old. So eating healthy food is not enough. You have to eat only those foods that are easy to digest, that too in moderation. Hence experts stress having multiple small rather than three full meals.
You can take 5 to 6 small meals. That way, you will supply enough nutrition without making it hard for your stomach. It is also beneficial for our metabolism and helps in burning fat and losing weight.
Conclusion
Old age is a blessing when you can finally stop running after worldly matters and do whatever gives you peace of mind. In this context, we hope that the fitness and diet tips we discussed above will help you maintain good health.
Stay healthy, stay happy!
