Small Choices

No matter our age, it is easy to make the choices that will keep us healthy. These choices need not be difficult, but they are cumulative when repeated every day.

We all know that after 50 our waistlines seem to magically thicken. Unless we choose to keep our weight under control, we can be at risks for a variety of ailments including diabetes and heart disease. Taking steps to ensure our nutritional intake is as healthy as possible is a good start, but it must be combined with regular exercise if fat is to be lost. Diet without exercise will result in a loss of muscle rather than a loss of fat.

But a regular exercise program need not be anything complicated. Walking every day is the easiest and safest form of exercise. And once it is part of your life, you will feel energized as you lose unwanted pounds. A lady I know who had long neglected any form of exercise decided one day to start walking. It was a nice day so she walked for an hour. She felt good and proud of herself for having done it, however the next morning her legs were sore, so walking fell by the wayside. Small steps should be the rule, not an all-or-nothing approach. If you haven’t been walking a great deal, like any other form of exercise, it is best to start slowly by gradually increasing time and pace.

Studies have shown that walking 30 minutes every day not only results in weight loss but has other health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, increasing lung function and strengthening bones to prevent osteoporosis. And walking is also great for lifting the spirit, especially if it is done outside in nature.  When that’s not possible, combining mall walking and window shopping is a fun alternative. There are walking clubs in almost every community, so the idea is to find one and join a group that will bring a social dimension to a walking regimen. A perfect combination!