Staying fit and healthy should be of importance regardless of your age, and many struggle to stay fit and in shape as the year's progress. As humans get older, their abilities to lift weights and partake in physical activities reduce, due to joint pains, weight gain, busy schedules, and whatnot. So how can you stay healthy and illness-free all year around?
Watch what you eat:
There is an age-old saying that you are what you eat and we at HYP take that extremely seriously. The foods that you consume throughout the day not only influence your weight but also impact your mental health. Foods that are calorically dense can affect your energy levels, leaving you feeling lazy, tired, and low on energy. That is because your body uses energy to digest and break down the excessive calories that you have consumed. So the next time, keep an eye out for the portion size if the food isn't on the healthier side.
Participate in regular physical activities:
The definition of working out can vary from person to person and we get it, not everyone enjoys lifting weights, and that is totally fine. But that shouldn't become an excuse for you to sit around and munch on a bag of chips, without performing any sort of physical activities. If walking is what you enjoy, then you should find a friend who is regular and make it a point to meet up for daily walks every day, at a fixed time. If walking is not up to your ally, then you can go cycling, enroll in Zumba classes, karate classes, play a sport with friends, whatever it takes to get you off the couch and moving.
Focus on hydration:
When we speak of nutrition, a lot of us focus on our caloric intake and almost forget about the importance of staying hydrated throughout the day. Almost 70 % of your body is water and doctors say that whenever you feel thirsty, it is the first stage of dehydration. So make it a point to drink sufficient water throughout the day, as not only water is calorie-free, but it is known to curb hunger pangs.
Undergo timely medical checkups:
Timely medical checkups are important as they can highlight underlying health issues that may have gone unnoticed before. With the help of these tests, you can monitor your blood sugar and keep tabs on your weight, as elevated blood sugar levels are known to cause weight gain and lead to a host of health issues such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiac complications just to name a few.
Take some time to de-stress:
We get it, life can be stressful most of the time, and stress is known to trigger our body to produce cortisol, which can lead to weight gains and other health complications. From time to time, take the time put for yourself and indulge in activities that can help you de-stress and unwind. Things like catching up with friends, playing board games with loved ones, to picking a hobby such as learning a musical instrument all of which can help you feel mentally relaxed. If you feel that you might be too old to take up a hobby, then remember, it’s never too late.
Maintaining good physical and mental health at all ages is important, as it helps you stay in a positive state of mind and holds the potential of keeping illnesses at bay.
Questions?