As “time and tide waits for no man”, take control of your own health now through healthy eating and an active lifestyle.

Get Active

Physical activity or the lack thereof can determine whether the ageing process will be beset with health problems or not. So make the best of your senior years and achieve physical wellness by making minor adjustments in your daily routine. Simply observe these 3 key strategies:

  1. Strength Training: Maintains muscle mass while keeping bones strong. Try this:
    Carry groceries in a basket instead of using the cart or trolley; or lift a 500ml bottle of water over your head while watching television.
  2. Endurance Exercises: Improve cardiovascular conditioning and keep the heart, lungs and arteries healthy. Try this: Use the stairs instead of the lift; or go window shopping to give your legs and heart a good workout.
  3. Balance Exercises and Stretching: Improve balance and flexibility to minimise risk of slips and falls. Try this: With a buddy, sit on the floor facing each other, place your feet together and take turns bending backwards and forward pulling on a towel, holding each position for 15 seconds.

Eat Right

For seniors to age well and be in good health, eat foods that are high in nutrients such as whole grains, fruits and leafy-green vegetables, which provide the body with the required minerals and vitamins. Seniors should also cut back on sugar, fat and salt, and increase calcium intake for stronger bones. Remember the saying, “You are what you eat”.

More Good Years

One is never too old to start a healthy lifestyle. Try brisk walking, leisure cycling or stretching exercises. Start slow and then gradually increase the distance, duration and frequency of your activity. Enjoy as you progress and you will have many more good years ahead.

Republished with permission from Council of Third Age.