Four Simple Steps to a Better Body

So all of a sudden you realize the years have crept up on you, it's harder to work off that spare tire, your hair thins and then falls out, muscles get weak from disuse, vision becomes blurred, hearing is diminished, balance is off center, bones thin, joints become arthritic and your skin gets wrinkles. Whew! I think I'll just go back to bed.

Now not so fast. All is not lost, at least not yet. There is nothing we can do about getting older, but there is plenty you can do about aging. Contrary to popular belief, you can start taking better care of yourself at any age and get results. Fifty can be the new fourty and fabulous. Sixty can be the new fifty and fit. Getting older doesn't mean we can't age without kicking and screaming the whole way. Here's what I propose you get yourself used to. Exercise, some kind of exercise, every day to get to a younger, fitter you. Now I know what you're thinking. But I've never exercised a day in my life, why start now? Go look in the mirror. Compare that image to the old photo of you at the beach 20 years ago. Yeah, I know. This only happens to other people. Sorry, it's happened to you. Exercise and proper care of your skin can significantly reduce and slow down the aging process inside and out. Let's take a look under the microscope & see what's going on inside you and every other human being that's getting older.

You've got chromosomes with genes in them. On the ends of these gene strands are what's called telomeres (DNA). These little telomeres (telomeerz) act just like those plastic wraps, or caps, around the ends of your shoelaces. As we age the telomeres deteriorate and the shoelaces (chromosomes) begins to fray and come apart as they continually replicate themselves. During cell division, enzymes that duplicate the chromosome and its DNA cannot continue their duplication all the way to the end of the chromosome. If cells divided without telomeres, they would lose the ends of their chromosomes, and the necessary information they contain. The telomeres are disposable buffers blocking the ends of the chromosomes and are consumed during cell division and replenished by an enzyme called telomerase. When this happens some of the DNA is lost and genes deteriorate which promotes the symptoms of aging. There is no known way to reverse this process but there are many ways to fight it.

1. Six small meals a day instead of three big ones. If you're not a construction worker, don't eat like one. Keep it light and low cal.

2. Perform weight bearing exercises, start light and work your way up to heavier loads. No matter what your age, your muscles will respond to lifting weights, period. At the same time your bones will increase in density lessening your risk of fractures. Exercising helps to maintain hormonal balance. All the hormones flowing through your blood increase and help your organs operate to their best ability. It's like putting high test gas in your bloodstream; you'll run like a top. Thirty minutes a day of exercise is enough to get your hormones pumping. 3. It's very important to stretch after exercise of any type. Keeping the range of motion in your arms and legs are what help you keep doing the things you love most.

4. Applying skin care products to your face and body will keep your skin smooth and clear. This is good advice for men too.

All this might sound like a bunch of extra work but the payoff at the end of the day is you'll sleep like a baby. Say goodbye to insomnia and any other sleep disorders you may have. Want to know why? Because you're going to be pooped! But you'll wake up with more energy, a younger body and a sharper mind. That's something that no pill on earth can give you.

A question to consider as you tackle the day; If I drink like a fish and eat like a pig how can I ever expect to soar with eagles?

About the Author

Get younger, stronger, fitter now with Dr recommended Functional Fitness DVDs instructed by Suzanne Andrews on PBS TV. FREE preview now. The only fitness DVDs specifically designed (low impact) for boomers and plus sized.

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