(BPT)–Getting older can be a challenge. Staying on top of your health and fitness goals often becomes more difficult as you try to find enough time in the day to balance the schedules of work and life, and taking care of others. Improper nutrition, joint and muscle soreness and inactivity are additional challenges. Here are three simple tips to overcoming these challenges to continue living a healthy, active lifestyle.
First, get proper nutrition. Erica Wasser, registered nutritionist and nutrition coach with Life Time – The Healthy Way of Life Company, notes that taking a multivitamin is one of the best things you can do for your overall nutrition. She also suggests limiting processed or packaged foods by making meals that will last.
“Instead of cooking one chicken breast, cook three,” says Wasser. “Add one to a salad, eat one with a side of steamed vegetables and use the last in a sandwich or wrap.”
Smart snacking is also important. Focus on items like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, almonds, seeds, vegetables and hard boiled eggs and try to avoid granola bars and 100-calorie packs by prewashing and cutting vegetables and fruit and premixing bags of nuts and seeds.
Settling on a routine of eating healthy, nutritious and protein-based meals and snacks will keep your energy up and your diet balanced for a healthy, fit life.
Second, take notice of what your body is telling you. Are your joints sore? Does your back hurt from sitting in a chair most of the day? If so, choose exercises that will keep you fit while minimizing the impact on your joints or back and improving muscle strength and stamina.
Check out the local community pool, or stop by a fitness facility with pools to see what type of aqua instruction they offer.
