Were you hoping for a magic pill?
Me too. Oh, if only it were that easy.
I already know the key to aging well. So do you.
I doubt you can pick up a magazine or read a newspaper or go online without being reminded of it. Here’s just one example.
New Rules for Saving Your Memory, an article by Judy Jones in the June 2009 issue of More magazine, says that a huge number of people are keeping their cognitive function well into their 80s or beyond.
Part of the population, though is not aging well at all, not even in their 60’s.
What’s the difference between the 2 groups, according to the article?
An active lifestyle.
30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least three times a week boosts brainpower, decreases stress, and reduces the risk of dementia, depression, heart disease, and more.
Everything but wash the windows, apparently.
Seriously, I know exercise is important, vital, crucial. I’ve known this for years. But I still don’t do enough of it.
I dabble in it here and there but I confess I do not consistently get 30 minutes three times a week. There are so many things I’d rather be doing.
What about you? Do you get the recommended amount of exercise? What tips and tricks do you use to get yourself to do this?
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I had to chuckle because misery loves company! I've been in a funk for days now. I call all these types of things "the mosquitos" of life. It's like one more thing and you're going to pull the trigger. What I hate and this seems to apply to m
Oh my gosh! I felt your inner pain ... and I apologize for the fact that when I got to the part about setting your hair on fire, I laughed. I'm so glad you weren't hurt, and hair grows back. Perhaps a new hair-do would not only rectify the situation 
There is no such thing as a legal separation in my state..The only way I can get husband out of the house is to force him out..He refuses to leave..I would have to file for divorce and get temporary orders including a restraining order..
I feel so
I’ve pretty much given up on gym, just a waste of money for me since I can never get there! I walk every where. Try to run most of my errands within walking distance of my house. On a good afternoon, I can probably get in a couple of miles, depending on where I have to go. I keep free weights in my car and bring them to work to get a little strength training in…
Tamara: I have a collection of exercise cds. I think the last time I popped one in the player was last winter. I don’t like exercising. It was something I did on a continuum up until my breast cancer diagnosis. For whatever reason after that I just couldn’t grove with it. I mean – I had exercise machines, club memberships, bicycles, skates, etc. The whole nine yards!!! I did it all. Now, I just walk. I can’t get the mojo up that I once had to be as fanatical about it as I once was. I have found there are much more important things to be concerned about. I make sure I eat right, get plenty of sleep, stay as far away from unnecessary stress as I can, drink water as if it’s going to dry up tomorrow, and walk, walk, walk. I have found that walking helps clear the cobwebs from my brain and makes me a calmer person. On top of which – I don’t have to worry about the joints in my knees giving out or wearing down (even further than they have already) from jogging or climbing. Now I know you ladies are going to tell me there are a ton of ways I can get in shape – but the bottom line is. I AM HAPPY WITH THE WAY I AM!!! My cholesterol, sugar and blood pressure are great – thank you!!! I get checked every time I go for cancer treatment follow-ups (which is twice a month) so I know I’m in a good state healthwise. I could stand to lose a few pounds – but these days who can’t?!! As far as I’m concerned the key to aging well is all about the mindset. I FEEL – THEREFORE I AM!!!
Exactly! Back in my 20′s and 30′s, I killed myself to be a size 6. I’m 5’7 and back then, I weighed 120 pounds…I thought I looked great, but others thought I was too skinny. Anyway, pregnancy and a hypothyroidism killed that!
Now, I could stand to lose about 20 pounds (I’m down about 15 since August, and still working on the rest)but at my last checkup, my doctor said I was one of the healthiest 50 year olds he’s seen in some time.
I’m done killing myself…going to enjoy life and keep walking!
“Enjoy life and keep walking.” That sounds like a great prescription!
Hi, Persimian! I don’t like exercising either so I hear you. You are walking (which as I understand it completely counts as exercise!) plus doing a lot of other good stuff for your health. And your #s are good. I’m not a health expert but it sounds to me like you’re doing a good job of taking care of yourself.
Walking and strength training. Sounds like you’ve found some ways to fit that so important exercise into your life. Good for you!
for me it was a wake up call and the fact that i felt like i was 100 years old. I joined a gym near my home. At first i started going in the evenings, that did not work out at all, then on the weekends and that does work most of the time. Classes are best for me since i will not do anything if i am not pushed. I needed to add weights and was not good doing them by myself since you have to do 3 sets of 20 to workout the muscle and i could not focus. The weekends were for spinning since during the week i would not be able to do those. So, a gym acquaintance recommended that three of us join a personal trainer and split the cost. We do this at 6 a.m. Monday and Thursday. At first it was hard to get up so early. Then they changed the time to 5:30 a.m.! I said NO WAY! Well, yes way! I am doing it and feel terrific when i get home at 7 a.m. First, with an empty stomach you are burning fat, in the evening you are burning what you ate that day. I also drink a lot of water while doing the weights as i am drenched. Muscle mass is important at our age as well as aerobid exercise. I did not think so until all my fresh started to flab all over the place. Sweating is good for you, and you feel the effects immediately. If i can do it you can do it… I am the laziest exercise person on earth! This is a matter of life and death. And exercise is not to be a size 6, actually you do not lose too much weight by exercising, the diet is what makes you lose weight. I do not diet very well, i enjoy eating, but i am trying to incorporate a healthy way of eating. No chips, burgers, french fries, soda, etc. I do have to have my coffee and lately changed to herbal tea in the evening. YOU CAN DO IT!
All right, Lynnette! Sounds like you’ve made a major change re exercise & that it’s really working for you. Hooray! Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement.
In answer to your question_______umm, no, not very much. Maybe that’s why I’m just starting on Prozac. I feel too apathetic to do very much but take a walk whenever my back doesn’t bother me too much. Sometimes things, small frustrations pile up and I feel overwhelmed. I read a lot of stuff about the steps to take, like the thread I’m looking at right now “How to Slow Your Aging” which I’ll read next, but probably won’t do much about. A friend of mine started Prozac last month and feels much better, so I’m hopeful. I would like to get all this anti-aging advice together and actually do it, if I could just make myself care.
Hi, Crystalli! Sorry you’ve been feeling apathetic & overwhelmed. Hopefully the Prozac will help you feel better. And, when you do, you can start taking small steps to take good care of yourself.
Thanks for your kind wishes, Bonnie.