Staying Healthy After 60

As you age, it can be easy to feel like staying healthy is an impossible task. You might have lost some of the spring you had in your step when you were 20, but there are lots of things you can do to stay healthy and feel great well after you turn 60.

Eat Right

A good diet is absolutely vital for staying healthy into your golden years.

In general, you should be looking to decrease the amount of fat and sodium in your diet while maintaining a high level of fruits and vegetables, along with foods that are high in fiber. But don’t limit yourself to just a few foods. You should look to maintain a diverse diet so that you can take in all of the nutrients you need to stay healthy.

As you get older, cutting out the red meat in your diet can help. Look instead to lower-fat sources of protein, such as chicken and fish. For carbohydrates, look to avoid the simple sugars you find in foods like candy and cake. Instead, look to add more complex carbs to your diet, including those found in fruits, whole grains, and vegetables.

In general, keep in mind that your physiological changes as you get older will change the need you have for certain nutrients. Overall, you will need fewer calories, as you use less energy and your body tends to build up body fat more easily than when you were younger. In addition, pay attention to the changes in nutrients that you experience as you age. Heart problems are more likely, for example, so be sure to include lots of low-cholesterol, heart-healthy foods like fish, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Get Fit

Getting sufficient exercise should be a goal from day one, but if you haven’t been hitting the gym or jogging around the block, it’s never too late to start, even after you

turn 60.

A good target as you age is to engage in some level of physical activity for half an hour a day. Remember that this half hour doesn’t have to come all at once. Rather, you can do a few activities that boost your heart rate for a little while at a time.

Remember to keep your muscles engaged, even if your normal activities don’t require too much exertion. Muscles that aren’t being use wind up getting weaker. When that happens, you’ll have more trouble doing simple things like walking up the stairs and getting out of your chair. Focus on exercises that help you with practical movements,

like squats.

In addition, you should remember to include activities that help with balance and flexibility. Falling can be a major danger as you get older, so doing balancing exercises is important. Also, your body probably feels a bit stiffer than it used to. Work on stretching to improve flexibility and ease some of the stiffness. Yoga can help with both balance and flexibility, and it is a relaxing activity that you can feel comfortable doing at your own pace.

Meditate

A wonderful practice to stay healthy at any age, meditation is a great complement to your diet and exercise regime after you hit your sixties. Sometimes overrated, meditation helps you keep the balance you need to continue life in the right direction. When practice for a long time, it creates a subconious guidance that fuels your desire to become healthier. Imporves your memory, brain functions and overall feeling. Plus is the ultimate vehicle to connect with your soul.

Don”t hesitate to give these activities a try and test the difference they make in your life. If you feel like you want to learn more about them, contact us and we will happily help you.

Surgeon’s Advice | Leon Mead MD Orthopedic Doctor | 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201  Naples Florida 34102 | Phone: (239) 262-1119