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You be the expert on health

What is the best tips you can share to live heathlier as you age?  It would be great to hear from real people on what works.  Share your successes.

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  • Tips for increasing fiber intake from the Harvard School of Public Health
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Periodic Contributor

Addressing indoor air quality. As the EPA puts it indoor air pollution is surpassing outdoor. Its' directly linked to the plethora of toxic products we use in our homes. From cleaning supplies, laundry products, to bathing products, on top of toxic products like candles and air fresheners. These VOCs have a whole  host of health implications. The aldehydes alone in fragrance products can cause accelerated brain cell apoptosis. (brain cell death) These endocrin disrupting VOCs can induce all kinds of diseases and neurological disorders.

We have cleaned up our indoor air at home to be a chemically free haven, to include the foods we eat. We are fragrance free and fabric softener free. My husband no longer has Desert Storm rashes all over his body. My sleep has gotten better. We have great levels on all our bloodwork.

Newbie

I had a friend in Juneau with similar problems. Fortunately she is a health expert by trade. Her advice: gentle exercises that loosen up the thoracic spine (chest) to improve blood flow. Nothing too strenuous. Eliminate high glycemic carbohydrates. But when you absolutely must eat sweets ( let’s be real) eat some fiber just before. (Such as an apple) To reduce the inflammation she found that 100 mg of grape seed extract worked wonders. A word of caution when purchasing vitamins online: never buy from Amazon. Buy direct from manufacturer. There is a book that rates vitamin companies to help choose. Good luck 

Honored Social Butterfly

I'm reminded of another easy but beneficial health tip: don't take yourself so seriously. Stated another way: live and let live. 

 

 

"The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical." Julius Erving
Honored Social Butterfly

Don't let temporary injuries & other priorities totally derail your healthy lifestyle program; just pick up where you left off, and keep truckin'!


Registered on Online Community since 2007!
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".....So eating less meat is an easy way to make room for fiber, which really may save the world.....".

 

The tip we learned decades ago, and embraced, is that one doesn't eat a plain piece of meat (yeah, on occasion, you don't have to be a fanatic). Almost everywhere in the world, it is relatively uncommon, if never done, to have a slab of meat of any kind. Instead, meat is always cut and part of a stew, stir fry, a mix of some type.  We only have burgers, for instance, maybe half a dozen times a year. We never have steak, or ribs. Virtually everything we cook is stir fried, or done in Thai, Indian, or Asian-style cooking. You get lots of veggies this way and meat is used in very small quantities.


"...Why is everyone a victim? Take personal responsibility for your life..."
Honored Social Butterfly

@retiredtraveler - Your post triggered another thought about eating habits - Don't eat supersized portions!

 

I hate that many people choose restaurants based on large portion size or "endless xyz". While some may intend to take a doggie bag home for a 2nd meal, they may continue to "pick at their plate" while sitting & socializing in a restaurant .. a bad idea. Often the "endless" items are starch (i.e. breadsticks, garlic bread, etc), and cheap items to fill you up .. instead of the more expensive protein items! Even "endless salad bar" can be a problem; it's only OK if you stick to the plain or pickled veggies, and limit or avoid everything with mayonnaise & other fat-laden sauces!


Registered on Online Community since 2007!
Honored Social Butterfly

There are ten zillion books and articles on eating healthy.  There is no lack of information on the subject.  Mostly there is lack of interest unless/until an individual comes across a reason to pay attention.  Everyone seems to want a quick fix.  There isn't one.  You need to have a good mix of activity and healthy diet to keep  your weight in check.  Is it fun to exercise and eat healthy if you want to lay on the couch and eat chips?  No it probably isn't.  But eventually you will not be able to get up off of the couch if that is your life style, so you are kind of pressed into some degree of health.  And the bad news is that the older you get, the harder it will be for your body to overcome the excesses you indulge in.   So,  take a walk and don't eat all the stuff you see on TV;  pizza chips donuts, pop, candy cookies  : )

Life's a Journey, not a Destination" Aerosmith
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Guard Your Diet While Away From Home

 

We recently attended a catered project meeting. Expecting typical deep fried, high fat brewpub fare, (read: stuff not on our diet) we ate a piece of fruit and drank 8 ounces of water beforehand. This way we were not hungry and didn't give into temptation. 

 

Then we went out to a healthy dinner. 🙂 (Date night is also healthy!)

 

 

 

"The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical." Julius Erving
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Take a Driver Safety Course. I did this last year and learned a number of things about driving defensively as we age. I also will save on my auto insurance for the next few years. Now I'm trying to get DH to complete the course. 

 

AARP has an inexpensive, easy-to-complete online course. None of these great health tips on this thread will be worth a darned if you end up a traffic statistic.

 

To learn more about the AARP Driver Safety course, click on this link: http://aarpdriversafety.org

 

AARP Driving Course.png Refresh you driving skills.png

 

 

For more information, see this Help Guide article: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/aging-well/age-and-driving-safety-tips.htm

"The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical." Julius Erving
Regular Contributor

  • One of the best things you can do as you age is walk for exercise everyday.  Five years ago when I was 65 I lost 44 lbs walking and it was the best thing I've ever done for myself.  I try for 10,000 steps a day.  I work two days a week also.  Keep busy.  Until recently my 72 yr old husband was volunteering 3-5 days a week and was averaging about 10 miles a day walking.  We try to eat at home more also.  And do not isolate yourself.  Keep in touch with friends and family.  And take your medications!
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".....In addition, I use a weak vinegar water to wipe down surfaces. Vinegar is non-toxic to humans, kills 99% of all germs on contact, and it helps freshen the air....".

 

Copy that!. However, we don't use it 'weak'. I get the cleaning vinegar (6% rather than 5% acid), and use it straight, undiluted. And because it is an anti-bacterial, once we've cleaned a surface with it, we re-spray and let it dry untouched.  It's inexpensive too. Purchase it by the gallon and put into a spray bottle.


"...Why is everyone a victim? Take personal responsibility for your life..."
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The old cliched, tried and true, diet and exercise.  Keeping active, yoga, finding a hobby or job that you truly enjoy. I have one rule now. When I worked I had to deal with people that were not always nice, a lot of gossip and jealousy, was not always nice myself. My rule now is, I did not come here to listen to gossip, to be put down or to put others down, I came to help and enjoy. If I no longer enjoy or cannot be of service in some way then I leave and find something new to do.

Honored Social Butterfly


@pb40374959 wrote:

The old cliched, tried and true, diet and exercise.  Keeping active, yoga, finding a hobby or job that you truly enjoy. I have one rule now. When I worked I had to deal with people that were not always nice, a lot of gossip and jealousy, was not always nice myself. My rule now is, I did not come here to listen to gossip, to be put down or to put others down, I came to help and enjoy. If I no longer enjoy or cannot be of service in some way then I leave and find something new to do.

 


@pb40374959 Let's hear it for knowing gossip is poison! (Kin to comparison, that poison, sez me) Yay you! 🙂

"The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical." Julius Erving
Periodic Contributor

I am new to this community and it seems not too many people are visiting . I just want to say that having given up ALL dairy products, and using Almond or Coconut in it's place has lessened my congestion of my respiratory system. When I cheat and eat ice cream I suffer later.
Peace and Blessings
Trusted Contributor

Thank you for the respiratory info I have that problem I am lactose intolerant but I buy lactose free dairy I thought about Almond milk but hesitate to try it I will now Blessings and peace to you also
Periodic Contributor

Thanks for the Kudos. Each day is a journey to better health for me. I live in Alaska, so there is limited sunshine here. It's summer here and for the first time in my 6 years here, it feels like fall~~fall with high pollen alerts. I also have COPD; allergies so I stay in when it's like this. It's 48 and feels like 46. Has been raining since last Tuesday.  So I walk the halls of my apartment, if I feel up to it just to get movement going. I go to the Gym twice a week. I'm determined to not take insulin. I'm 65 years young , and still moving forward. I just graduated college for Healthcare Administration May 1st.  Not ready to sit in a rocking chair yet!   😉

Peace and Blessings
Honored Social Butterfly

@dw17543009 - Welcome to "Online Community"! I gave up dairy about 8 months ago, as well as breads/grains, and sweeteners. Maybe I'll have plain yogurt once every 2 or 3 weeks, and coffee w/cream that infrequently as well.


Registered on Online Community since 2007!
Honored Social Butterfly

Quickie today: Get fresh milk delivery from a local dairy (hopefully organic or transitional). The milk is fresher (ours is less than 24 hours old when delivered), has been handled less and therefore has more nutrients than store bought, as vitamin D is easily damaged by light exposure.

 

In addition, buying from a local dairy contributes to another kind of health: that being the health of your local economy.

 

 

"The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical." Julius Erving
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