A simple anti-aging remedy
Do you often make Mr. Bean-like faces when you see people (ordinary people whom you know, not film stars or Page 3 celebrities) who are as old as or older than you, but look like they’re much younger, and wonder, “How come they’ve aged less than I have?” Well, no one can prevent aging, but it is certainly possible to slow down the aging process and live an active life much longer.
We seniors may have retired from service, but we don’t have to retire from leading a full life. No matter how old you are, you need to continue to enrich your life. And you’ll be able to do this even better if you understand the secret to aging slowly. Once you discover this anti-aging remedy, you too could join the fortunate group of older people who don’t just have younger bodies, but have younger minds too, who look and feel younger.
The best part is that the solution is really simple. No marathon race to run, no crash diet, no starving yourself or burning a hole in your wallet to buy expensive exercise equipment. All you have to do is get your butt off that couch or from your seat in front of the TV or computer. After that, keep putting one foot in front of the other and walk. Yes, just walk! Now you tell me, how difficult is that?
Health benefits of walking daily
On a recent visit to Goa, I was surprised at how many middle-aged and even young housewives I saw with big bellies, some so big, the women looked like they were pregnant when in fact they were just plain obese. Then I thought back to the days of my youth and except for one or two, I could hardly remember any of my older female relatives having large midriffs, though I remembered a few males ones with protruding beer (or maybe feni?) bellies. More importantly, I recalled how people had to put in a good bit of walking each day, those being times when each family didn’t flaunt a car and at least a couple of two-wheelers alongside their houses. I also envisioned my paternal grandfather donning his tweed flat cap and swinging his sturdy walking stick, setting off on his three to four mile walk each day along his usual route through the village till he was almost eighty. He would return around noon, and after that, knock down a couple of shot glasses of copachem before settling down for lunch; but that’s another story.
In short, the point I’m making is: The health benefits of walking daily are many, and since you can keep fit by walking, the earlier you start the better. So let’s look at how walking as an exercise can be good for you.
Good for your heart and blood pressure: Walking, specially brisk walking, will improve your cardiovascular function, strengthen your heart, and help in reducing your blood pressure and chances of getting a heart attack. This has been scientifically proved.
Good for controlling diabetes: Medical studies have shown that walking controls blood sugar levels in diabetics and reduces the risk of healthy people developing Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) Diabetes.
Good for your bones: Walking builds muscle and bone strength, and maintains healthier bones and joints. Besides, walking in the sunshine will help your skin produce Vitamin D which is essential for absorption of calcium from our diet, and for reducing the risk of osteoporosis in people over 50, specially postmenopausal women.
Good for weight loss: When you walk, you burn calories and this helps in controlling your weight and preventing diseases related to obesity. Moreover, walking also streamlines your figure, and shapes and tones your butt and legs.
Good for your brain: Thom Hartmann, in his book Walking Your Blues Away: How to Heal the Mind and Create Emotional Well-Being, effectively explains the beneficial link between brain health and walking. Other researchers have found that people who walked for at least 90 minutes each week had significantly better cognitive function and mental health than those who walked less than 40 minutes per week.
Helps to fight depression: Walking for around 30 minutes, three to five times a week for 12 weeks, has been found to reduce symptoms of depression by as much as 47%. Walking relieves stress, induces relaxation, and keeps your spirits up.
Helps to reduce risk of cancer: Recent research in Canada and the US has shown that Vitamin D, which your body can produce when you walk in the sunshine, can lower cancer rates. Also, the British Journal of Cancer has reported that those who walk cut their risk of developing colon cancer by 24%. Medical studies have also found that women who walk briskly for around 75 to 150 minutes each week have an 18% lower risk of developing breast cancer as compared to inactive women.
Keeps energy levels high and enhances overall fitness: Walking helps to improve daily physical functioning and enables you to look and feel younger for more years. Higher energy levels will motivate you to engage in more outdoor activities with your family and friends.
A few tips regarding walking as an exercise
- Pick a good pair of walking shoes.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing suitable for the weather.
- Walk with your back upright, hold your head high, swing your arms, and look straight ahead but don’t forget to watch your step as you go, lest badly paved footpaths send you sprawling flat on your face.
- If you have pre-existing medical conditions, get chest pains after any form of exertion, or are over 65 and generally inactive, consult your doctor first before starting a regular walking program.
So, all you seniors stuck in a sedentary lifestyle, it’s time to spring into action. Time to keep fit by walking and put the fun back into your life!
See ya… and keep smiling!
