Welcome to the Art of Aging Well, a weekly series from PPMA. We’ll share information and tips so you can live your healthiest life as you age.
As we are aware, aging is an inevitable process. But have you considered that your choices can affect the speed at which your body ages? It’s true. Consider the foods you eat, if and how you exercise, the health of your relationships, friendships, hobbies, and retirement goals. How you choose to address these areas of your life can impact your health, quality of life, and longevity.
Start small
Did you know that losing only 5% of your body weight can reduce your risk for heart disease and diabetes? That weight loss can also improve metabolic function in your liver, fat, and muscle tissue. Starting small, with a weight loss goal of 5% is a good way to set yourself up for a win.
Reasons to lose weight slowly
- By losing weight slowly, you reduce the risk of muscle loss, which then can lower your metabolic rate, making it more difficult to maintain your weight loss long-term.
- Losing weight slowly also allows your skin to adjust to the changes in your body shape, which can prevent sagging and stretch marks.
- You can develop healthy and sustainable eating and exercise habits, rather than overdoing it and harming your physical and mental well-being.
- Improve your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and inflammation levels, which in turn can lower your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Come back to The Art of Aging Well next week when we’ll dive into the topic of diet and its connection to longevity.
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