Healthy Habits: Health and Fitness at Every Age

National Women's Health & Fitness Day is September 26^th, when thousands of women across the nation will come together to learn how to take control and make smarter steps towards healthier living. Women's Health & Fitness day was started to promote the importance of regular physical activity and health awareness by hosting local health-focused events for as many as 100,000 women. To help women of all ages get healthy and active, Dr. Ross Walker, author of 5 Stages of Health, offers the following tips:  

Decades up to age 30: From 18 to 30, your muscles and joints, along with your vascular system, are at their best - take this time to start and maintain a lifelong exercise routine. Take a few different classes, whether it's Zumba or Yoga, to get an idea of what type of workout you would like to use to get in shape.

Age 30 to 40: Addictions, such as drinking and smoking, are bad for you at any age but as you get older they can have lasting effects on your health. Use this decade to quit those bad habits; make your decision to quit public, telling friends and family that you fully intend to stop will create the support system you need.

Age 40 to 50: In your 20s and 30s, eating a carton of ice cream at night seemed to have little effect on your figure, but once you hit your 40s that will start to change. This decade is where women begin to see the buildup of fat, so start a healthy diet now. To lose weight you will want to take in fewer calories than you burn off and once you feel you dropped those extra pounds try to maintain it - if you stop, the weight will begin to pour back on.

Age 50 to 60: Every visit to your doctor is the perfect opportunity for health screenings but this decade will be the most important when trying to pass those tests. Between your 50s and 60s, common diseases such as cancers and cardiovascular problems begin to manifest - make sure to get appropriate tests at annual checkups or when needed. You can also take daily steps towards preventing illnesses by taking dietary supplements, such as BergaMet Mega, which help to promote cardiovascular health and maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Age 60 and onwards: This time is when you should be taking active steps to keep your mind sharp and prevent yourself from slowing down, not just physically but mentally too. Try taking up a form of meditation, whether it's through yoga or sitting in silence for 30 minutes a day - this will help you gather your thoughts and relieve your body and mind from stress that can affect your healthy way of life.