Random. Spontaneous. Adventurous. Fun.
Some of those adjectives describe me at any given time…. especially when it comes to doing fun, off the cuff pics. I recently had posted and shared this playful one after the AARP magazine had come in the afternoon mail.
AARP for my readers outside of the U.S. means American Association of Retired Persons.
I know I’m in that happy “ you’re getting all middle-aged and old, get settled down” zone but honestly, I relate on no level whatsoever to it.
I know there are probably one or two people who want me to get the memo about middle age and want me to talk about getting old and achy with my middle aged complaints and put up my Converse and torn jeans but I don’t foresee that happening any ‘ol time soon.
Nah.
I have a wide age range of friends, but totally love my younger crowd. I love their energy, passion, plans for the future, and their outspoken openness on many things. I find conversations interesting and fun with them and in turn, they actually enjoy me too.
Age is pretty irrelevant to me.
That being said… after I took the pic and set the magazine down an article on the cover grabbed my attention…
“31 Proven Age-Erasing Secrets”
Most of the time I read these articles honestly not expecting to walk away with much. I look for things I find usable or that I can share with my followers.
The article first of all, was immediately engaging and witty. You can always pull me in with that.
Humor is the way to my heart 😛
The article went on to discuss how to remain healthy, strong, fit and active in what they refer to as your “third act”. Some people refer to it as your “golden years”, you know those years you are supposed to hang it all up, chill out, and watch the world go by.
It goes on to mention that an active healthy lifestyle can prevent many health issues and keep us moving and doing things that we love. ( something I firmly believe)
Then they used an interesting term I’ve never heard, but it really had me thinking for the rest of the day.
It was this….”most of what people call aging, and most of what we dread about getting older, is actually decay. We are stuck with real aging, but decay is optional.”
Yeah, just let that breathe over you for a minute or two.
Decay is optional. Those words hung out in my head the rest of the day. I’ve just never thought of it in such a way.
It’s true if you think about it. We begin aging the minute we are born into this world.
Aging, is a natural part of the life circle.
The article goes on to say that basically, we don’t have to decay, yet many will.
“In the absence of signals to grow, your body, including your brain, decays and you “age”. The keys to “overriding” the decay signals? Daily exercise, good nutrition, emotional commitment, and a real engagement with living.”
The article continues on with all the health benefits of daily, strong, vigorous exercise as the main way to prevent “decay”.
It should be noted that decay is listed as all the illnesses, aches, pains, and overall decline that people associate with, or believe is, a part of “getting old”.
It just doesn’t have to be.
Remember that “use it or lose it” term ? if you don’t actively use your body in time you will lose muscle and muscle strength. Walking to your bathroom will feel like you ran a marathon. Daily, easy tasks will feel harder. Basic things will take more effort.
The biggest contributors of decay is inactivity, an overall sedentary lifestyle, followed by poor nutrition.
On a personal level, I think there’s a lot to be said for strong, daily exercise and good nutrition. There are payoffs. No, they aren’t instantaneous. Yes, you have to invest time and energy but is it worth it to live a strong, energetic, healthy life?
I absolutely believe so.
So I was left pondering this question… how do I want to live out my life?
Do I want to age? … which is a natural part of life.
Or do I want to decay? …. be sedentary, eat poorly, be overweight, develop diseases associated with being overweight, live a sedentary lifestyle and have aches and pains from a body that isn’t used?
And I’ll leave this question with you.
Do you want to age, or decay?
Below are 7 rules to stop aging from the authors:
1.Exercise 6 days a week for the rest of your life.
2. Do serious aerobic (cardio peeps, cardio) exercise 4 days a week for the rest of your life.
3. Do serious strength training, with weights, two days a week for the rest of your life.
4. Spend less than you make.
5. Quit eating crap.
6. Care.
7. Connect and commit.
Pretty straightforward, right? The most important thing is to start. If you get two days in a week, great. Set your goals on three etc until you are working out most of the week. I know aerobic (cardio) hard breathing, sweating exercise a lot of people don’t like but that’s youth building stuff… do it.
Just start somewhere, where you can, and then build on more days as you’re able.
Ok and before I leave you, I did find and read this book. It was sooooo worth the few dollars I spent on it. I won’t spoil it for you, but you can find my review for it here…..https://sassyfitnesschick.com/2017/05/04/younger-next-year-for-women-book-review/
Want more info on this? Check out the “Younger Next Year” series of books by Chris Crowley and Henry S Lodge M.D.
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