Having my birthday coming up soon makes me think about aging. Every year we get one year older, but in the last 7 or 8 years I feel like I have aged at double speed. So, lately I have started to read on reversing the aging process. Is it really possible?
A woman as old as she looks.
Mortimer Collins
I see 70-year-olds on rollerblades, or lifting weights at the gym, 60-year-olds are participating in triathlons. And at the same time, they look like they are still 35 years old. Some do not look a day older than their own children; slim, fit, with a smooth skin and above all healthy. How do they do it?
There are many factors in our lifestyle that age us. As we all know there are some bad habits that make us look old very quickly. Smoking affects not only our lungs, but it also makes our skin look old, our gums bad (which makes our teeth fall out), and even causes hair loss. Other habits or lifestyles also affect the aging process. Here are a few:
- Being emotionally unhealthy makes you age faster than you should. Worries and stress should be avoided. Learn to find happiness and satisfaction within yourself.
- Strong friendships and healthy marriages help protect your health. A good way to cultivate a social life is to be a good friend to others. Joining groups and clubs will also expand your social life and expected life span.
- Eating habits greatly influence your aging. I could make a list of vitamins and minerals that are very important when you want to slow down the aging process (like vitamin C and E, Folic Acid, Potassium, etc), but it is better to say that you have to eat more healthy; eat unprocessed grains, fruits, veggies, lots of fish, not too much red meat, and eat at regular times. Do not skip breakfast and do take multi vitamin supplements daily.
- Many people nowadays live with chronic sleep deprivation (for many different reasons) and age before their time. Too much sleep is just as bad and can raise blood pressure levels. Create a healthy sleeping schedule and stick with it.
- Not enough physical exercise makes us age really fast. We do not look any younger when we are obese, have our skin and fat hanging from our body, and have to stop halfway a flight of stairs to catch our breath. Burn some calories, do strength exercises (90 minutes per week), add more cardio to your routine (half hour per day), and include a few balance and flexibility exercises (30 minutes per week). Not choose one of these options, but do (at least) all of them.
Mark Twain
So, after reading this, do you think you are doing well? Do you feel younger or older than you really are?
As I wrote, the last few years I feel that I have aged at double speed. I exercise less than before, my eating habits have not improved and I do not really get enough sleep. I took the RealAge test and found that the biological age of my body is 17% older than my chronological age. It is time to start reversing the aging process and get younger! The good thing is that RealAge creates a personalized plan for you and lets you set goals for the next three months. If you want you can sign up for motivational emails to help you reach your goal.
Take the test! And do not forget to let me know any shocking results that the test gave you or New Year’s resolutions that you have made!
Comments 4
Get over to your local dermatologist and get a prescription for Retin A… it’s the only cosmetic that truly works…. the stuff at the dept stores won’t do a thing for you…
Posted 08 Jan 2009 at 3:20 am ¶I think I’m doing pretty good - exercise, diet, sleep. You should read Robin’s blog about living forever… it’s a bit crazy but also inspiring.
Posted 11 Jan 2009 at 3:14 am ¶http://letsliveforever.net/
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I’ve aged, I’ve become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I’ve become my own friend. I don’t chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn’t need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70’s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love … I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody’s beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don’t question myself anymore. I’ve even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
Posted 11 Jan 2009 at 5:49 am ¶Thanks Marlene to your great contribution.
Posted 12 Jan 2009 at 9:29 pm ¶I do not think that I really care about gray hairs (which I do not have yet) or a flat belly (which I never had), but I do care a lot about living long enough to get old and still be able to do the things that I want to do. Whatever that is at that time.
Bless you with your confidence!
Post a Comment