Eating right is one of the first steps in staying fit, especially for seniors. You should have a heart healthy diet consisting of fresh vegetables, fruits, low fat dairy and lean protein. Avoid fatty fried foods, too much sugar and stay away from MSG as much as possible. Keep your levels of caffeine and alcohol to a minimum also.
Regular exercising will help prevent chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, colon cancer, high blood pressure and obesity. Swimming, walking, gardening, jogging, playing tennis and/or doing yard work are all good forms of exercise. If you have medical problems that can possibly limit the kind of exercise you do, consult your physician first before starting a new exercise.
If you are just starting to exercise, take it slow and do a little at a time. As your body gets older, it takes it longer to respond to exercises, but it will respond and the benefits that you receive are well worth it.
Not only do you need to look at the fitness needs of your body, but you need to look at the fitness needs of your brain also. The brain needs to be exercised to fight against age defined dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other ailments that affect the brain as you get older.
You can exercise your brain in many different ways. Reading is an excellent way to keep those brain cells working. Listening to music, working a puzzle or taking a computer course are other ways to keep your brain alert. Taking up a new hobby like crocheting, woodworking or painting will also keep your brain cells active.