Hey Boomers! Do you find yourself feeling sluggish, unmotivated and perhaps even putting on weight? What have you been doing wrong and how can you reverse this downward trend?
The good news is that with a little creative thinking there is plenty you can do and it all boils down to your lifestyle. Do you sit a lot – perhaps watch television or read? Do you stay up late at night due to insomnia? Obviously, you need to become more active. However, when the aches and pains of our latter years begin to set in, this can be a real problem.
However, there are other things you can do to get your metabolism going, such as eating five or six small meals each day, instead of three with supper overloading you. Don’t skip meals as this has the reverse effect of slowing down your metabolism, especially breakfast and whenever possible, eat organic. Get an immediate jump-start on your metabolism by eating a good breakfast. Have healthy snacks throughout the day like fruit, vegetables, yogurt and nuts. And drink plenty of water instead of calorie filled sodas and fruit drinks as well to keep you hydrated and feeling full. Some researchers claim that eating spicy food helps you lose calories.
You can also boost your metabolism in the morning with some light exercise or stretching. Take a 15-minute walk or if you’re able, run or do aerobics to run off those calories your body has stored overnight. If you get the chance later in the day, do it again. At the same time, you must know your limits. According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (March 2008) people 65 and older who jog may be at risk of developing blood clots. Make sure you see your doctor and have a complete checkup before beginning any strenuous exercise regime.
Another way to promote healthy living is to get enough sleep. Have you ever wonder why you get the munchies late at night? Research has shown that being sleep deprived reduces your appetite-suppressing hormone called Leptin.
Aside from sleeping, eating properly and exercising, a healthy lifestyle means not smoking. Cigarettes contain hundreds of dangerous chemicals that can harm every organ of your body. The Department of Health and Human Services, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention states that “438,000 deaths, or nearly 1 of every 5 deaths each year in the United States” is caused by smoking. Of those deaths, cancer leads the way followed by chronic obstructive lung disease. Smoking also reduces circulation by narrowing the blood vessels, which leads to the development of peripheral vascular disease. As well, post-menopausal women who smoke generally have lower bone density.
Another issue when it comes to healthy living is drinking alcohol. When it is over-consumed, it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, not to mention the many other mental and emotional effects. As with everything in life, drinking in moderation should not be a problem unless you already have a health issue that is adversely affected by alcohol. If you take regular medications, drinking alcohol can be a dangerous mix.
At the same time, many studies have been done on the actual health benefits of red wine. Researchers now believe that one or two drinks a day can lower your risk of heart attack by between 30 and 50 percent. The reason is that red wine raises your good HDL cholesterol and prevents the bad LDL cholesterol from forming.
The good news is that with a little creative thinking there is plenty you can do and it all boils down to your lifestyle. Do you sit a lot – perhaps watch television or read? Do you stay up late at night due to insomnia? Obviously, you need to become more active. However, when the aches and pains of our latter years begin to set in, this can be a real problem.
However, there are other things you can do to get your metabolism going, such as eating five or six small meals each day, instead of three with supper overloading you. Don’t skip meals as this has the reverse effect of slowing down your metabolism, especially breakfast and whenever possible, eat organic. Get an immediate jump-start on your metabolism by eating a good breakfast. Have healthy snacks throughout the day like fruit, vegetables, yogurt and nuts. And drink plenty of water instead of calorie filled sodas and fruit drinks as well to keep you hydrated and feeling full. Some researchers claim that eating spicy food helps you lose calories.
You can also boost your metabolism in the morning with some light exercise or stretching. Take a 15-minute walk or if you’re able, run or do aerobics to run off those calories your body has stored overnight. If you get the chance later in the day, do it again. At the same time, you must know your limits. According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (March 2008) people 65 and older who jog may be at risk of developing blood clots. Make sure you see your doctor and have a complete checkup before beginning any strenuous exercise regime.
Another way to promote healthy living is to get enough sleep. Have you ever wonder why you get the munchies late at night? Research has shown that being sleep deprived reduces your appetite-suppressing hormone called Leptin.
Aside from sleeping, eating properly and exercising, a healthy lifestyle means not smoking. Cigarettes contain hundreds of dangerous chemicals that can harm every organ of your body. The Department of Health and Human Services, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention states that “438,000 deaths, or nearly 1 of every 5 deaths each year in the United States” is caused by smoking. Of those deaths, cancer leads the way followed by chronic obstructive lung disease. Smoking also reduces circulation by narrowing the blood vessels, which leads to the development of peripheral vascular disease. As well, post-menopausal women who smoke generally have lower bone density.
Another issue when it comes to healthy living is drinking alcohol. When it is over-consumed, it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, not to mention the many other mental and emotional effects. As with everything in life, drinking in moderation should not be a problem unless you already have a health issue that is adversely affected by alcohol. If you take regular medications, drinking alcohol can be a dangerous mix.
At the same time, many studies have been done on the actual health benefits of red wine. Researchers now believe that one or two drinks a day can lower your risk of heart attack by between 30 and 50 percent. The reason is that red wine raises your good HDL cholesterol and prevents the bad LDL cholesterol from forming.
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