I've been on a health journey in the past few months. In many ways, I've felt like that old dog trying to learn new tricks. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks, but it's not easy and it does take considerable time and tremendous rewiring in the brain. What have I learned so far?
While it is not rocket science to be healthy, it feels like rocket science when it comes to changing old, unhealthy ways.
A good routine
A good routine makes a huge difference when it comes to healthy living. I've been spending quite a bit of time with my very healthy 91-year-old dad who lives by a good routine. That's been a good teacher for me.
Exercise
The exercise doesn't have to be fancy, but simply getting out there and moving helps a lot. That said, however, there is a lot to learn about just-right exercise that makes you stronger without injuring you. I signed on to some expert help and I'm learning a lot about weight training, balance and good, healthy routines. I'm glad I did this.
Nutrition
Since, for many of us, food equals lots of pleasure, there's some been a significant need to learn about what foods result in the best, possible healthy nutrition. So many foods that we may have become accustom to are often not nutritious and work against our good health. So learning about what creates a healthy, energizing, feel-good diet is important and making sure those foods are on hand is critical to good health.
Planning
There's a lot of pitfalls out there when it comes to good health. When you travel, you may not be able to access healthy food, adequate rest, or a positive routine, but if you plan for that ahead, you're more likely to achieve it and stay on top of your game.
Substitutions
Substituting equally satisfying options for non-nutritious, unhealthy activities and events can really help you to transition to a healthier routine. For example, sometimes I eat for comfort, but I can also play online Scrabble for a bit of satisfying comfort--Scrabble has a lot less calories than eating simply for pleasure. Similarly alcoholic drinks are actually not healthy at all--most are filled with sugar and weigh you down. You can replace unhealthy alcoholic drinks with healthier drinks made with a splash of fruit juice, seltzer and ice or you can have one drink, then replace the others with healthier, non-alcoholic drinks. Ice cream is easily replaced with non-fat yogurt-banana-fruit combinations that leave you feeling good and benefitting from all that healthy, fat-free protein. Everywhere there is an unhealthy choice, overtime you can learn to replace that with a healthy choice.
Stress is unhealthy
Too often life in the USA is stressful, and finding out what stresses you out and then reducing that stress is extremely good for your health. When you are not stressed, you are likely to make healthier choices.
Start early
Friends who had early starts in healthy living find it a lot easier to live healthy lives as they age. We do the young people we live with and work with a big favor by fostering as many healthy, positive ways of living as possible.
As we age, we can change our lifeways, but it will take lots of time and effort. If we want long, healthy lives, it's the only right choice to make. Onward.