Steps for Better Health Starting Today

I like to think of my health as a bank account—every deposit counts. Each positive step I take adds value and brings me closer to my goals. Lately, I’ve been doing some re-evaluating and have identified five small yet impactful steps to improve your health starting today. The best part? It doesn’t matter where you’re starting from. Even if you’ve been neglecting your health, these simple actions can help you get better health starting today. Let’s discuss…

I wanted to tell you what spurred my health-focused thinking but if you want to get straight to the steps, just scroll on past this next part.

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What brought about my re-evaluating.

Amid the stressors of our daily lives during the move, we eventually found ourselves living in the city. The city is where business happens, so thats where we landed. We were in a spacious flat in a well-situated complex of buildings designed in the stark, brutalist architectural style. While the flat offered us a perfect blend of space and location in a beautiful city, I honestly could never really adapt to the relentless sound of city traffic just outside the flat.

I was walking a LOT, taking full advantage of all the beautiful green spaces, cafe’s, restaurants, museums and of course the stunning architecture. I was genuinely enjoying the opportunity to experience so many new things and meet so many lovely people but I just never felt grounded.

So, I’m incredibly grateful to be living in this little village by the sea right now. To almost be forced to pause for a moment, slow life down, and take the time to gather my thoughts and goals. To reflect on where I’ve been, who I’ve been, and consider where and who I want to be. Honestly, what a gift.

I decided this week it was to time to put my own health back into focus again. At 55, now is not the time to throw in the towel! If you’ve followed me for a long time, you know that I was a personal trainer for years and I’ve always been passionate about health and fitness. This time around, I’ve decided to take it slow but be ruthlessly consistent and just add things when they feel right.

I’ve come up with a short list of impactful changes that anyone can use to move themselves toward better health starting today! You may already be doing some (or all ) of these. I definitely was not, so it’s a great place for me to start.

5 Steps for Better Health Starting Today

• Water– Drink 8 big tumbler glasses per day, beginning with one full glass as soon as I wake up. I’m never thirsty any more. Whats up with that? Anyway- I know I need hydration, so I just make myself do it. I keep track of each glass at the top of my to-do list.
• Protein– 100 grams a day. I’d like to keep the muscle I have and build more as I age. Muscles take the stress off the joints and I’m going to need that! It takes a bit of planning, but it’s not hard.
• Steps- 8-10,000 steps daily. Walking is the GOAT for your physical and mental health! I keep track with my Garmin.
• Stretching– Yoga or stretching every damn day. It’s gotta be done. It’s that or succumb to painful arthritis and moving like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. Those are the choices. And you don’t need long sessions to reap the benefits.
• Creatine– a small scoop of creatine in my coffee in the AM. The evidence shows that creatine can help maintain muscle mass, bone density, and may improve brain function and overall mood. [more here]
  

That’s it! That’s what I’m starting with. Again, consistency is key. So I’m starting small to set myself up for success. I need to get back into the routine- that rhythm of doing things that are good for my health and feeling the benefits of that. Eventually I’ll add resistance training back into the mix, so more on that later.

What about you? Are you taking a little time to care for your physical and mental well being as you age? It’s so important to be realistic about where we are and just start doing something each day for our health. Every deposit is a benefit to your health!

You can pin any of these photos to Pinterest , by clicking on the Pinterest button and you can also find me there. I’d love to have you follow me in the LTK app. I’m brainstorming to curate truly useful content for you there- things that I use and love and that are truly helpful. And they’ve really improved that app to create more of a “hang out space”, and it just keeps getting better! I’m also on Facebook. Anywhere you share my content helps me out so much, so thank-you!