SENIOR HEALTH & FITNESS

False Perceptions of Aging

By Jim Evans

DEAR JIM: I find my health declining steadily as I grow older – I’m 72 - and the number of my medications increasing with every year. I admit that I have never been fond of exercise, and my eating habits have never been particularly good but, still, I didn’t expect to go down hill so quickly and so dramatically. Is this just an inevitable part of aging or is there something I can do to reverse this downward trend? GETTING OLDER BUT NOT BETTER

DEAR GETTING OLDER: Sorry, but age is not an excuse for your problems. Contrary to what many people believe, poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If you have not led a healthy lifestyle over the years, you are probably paying a price now in terms of chronic disease, disability, diminished quality of life, and increased health care costs. However, the choice has always been yours to do something about it or not – and you still have the same choice today.

You may not be able to reverse any damage that may have already been done, but you can definitely reverse the downward trend and start living again rather than feeling sorry for yourself. The CDC cites that “much of the illness, disability, and death associated with chronic disease is avoidable through known prevention measures” including regular physical activity, healthy eating, avoiding tobacco use, and the use of early detection practices such as screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, diabetes and its complications, and depression. None of this is news to you, of course, so what are you waiting for?

To begin with, start increasing your level of physical activity today. Not tomorrow – today! It doesn’t have to be a “formal” exercise program, but at least start walking 20-30 minutes a day. If it’s too cold or too hot, too icy or too humid, too snowy or too rainy, or too anything that makes it difficult or uncomfortable to walk outdoors, just walk in place in front of your TV. How hard is that!?!

Start watching your diet more carefully too. If you still insist on enjoying your favorite snacks, try drinking a full 8-oz glass of water before you take that first bite. It will automatically reduce your ability to consume as many calories and help you to keep you weight under control.

If you smoke, just quit! If you aren’t already suffering from some form of respiratory problem or lung cancer – and even if you are – quitting smoking will at least improve your quality of life in the time you have left. Most people have the greatest success just quitting “cold turkey” and never look back, but if you need help, there are plenty of excellent smoking cessation programs on the market.

And, lastly, get regular checkups and screenings to stay ahead of the game. Don’t wait until you have a serious problem before you take action and then expect a miracle of modern science to save your bacon. Doctors have the ability to detect many potential problems before they become troublesome, so schedule regular appointments with your doctor at least once or twice a year.

What does all of this really mean? It means taking some responsibility for your own health and well-being instead of blaming your age for your problems. There are many people in their 80’s, 90’s, and even in their 100’s ENJOYING a high quality of life by simply LIVING a better life. You can too, and it’s never too late to start.

Jim Evans is a 40-year veteran of the health and fitness industry and a nationally recognized consultant on fitness for seniors.