There comes a time in life when we begin paying closer attention to our bodies.
Maybe it is when getting up from the floor requires a little strategy. Maybe it is when the doctor starts using phrases like “we need to keep an eye on that.” Or perhaps it happens when we realize we have grandchildren, vacations, birthdays and life experiences we want to be healthy enough to enjoy.
The truth is simple: getting older is inevitable. How we care for ourselves along the way is not.
For older men and women, October may be the perfect time to take stock. Before the holiday season arrives with its mountains of mashed potatoes, Christmas cookies and mysterious bowls of dip, this is a good time to ask: What can I do today to give myself more healthy tomorrows?
The answer does not have to involve running a marathon, surviving a boot camp or eating nothing but kale.
Sometimes, it begins with a walk.
Move your body. Stretch. Ride a bicycle. Swim. Take a fitness class. Dance in the kitchen if that is what gets you moving. The important thing is to find something you enjoy enough to do again tomorrow.
And there are plenty of places in our community to help. The Crim Fitness Foundation and its community partners support fitness opportunities throughout Flint and Genesee County, including walking and other exercise programs. The Pierson Road Family YMCA offers fitness opportunities and senior-focused classes.
For those who prefer the company of people their own age, local senior centers can offer another way to stay active and connected. Social connection, after all, can be just as motivating as a good pair of walking shoes.
Then there is food.
Eating better does not mean giving up everything you love. It means making more room on the plate for foods that help your body do its job. More fruits and vegetables. More whole foods. More water. A little less of the processed stuff that seems to have a shelf life longer than some family pets.
Local help is available here, too. MSU Extension-Genesee County and community partners offer nutrition and healthy-eating education, including programs designed for older adults.
And if you are living with a chronic health condition or simply want more personalized guidance, talk with your doctor about what is right for you. McLaren Flint and local health experts also offer community health information on a variety of topics.
The most important thing to remember is this: it is never too late to make a positive change.
You do not have to lose 30 pounds, become a gym regular or suddenly transform into the person who drinks green smoothies for breakfast. Start smaller.
Walk around the block. Eat the apple. Make the doctor’s appointment you have been putting off. Take the stairs when you can. Invite a friend to join you.
One good decision can lead to another.
Growing older is a privilege denied to many. So let us not spend those years sitting on the sidelines.
There are places to go, people to love, grandchildren to chase, sunsets to watch and memories still waiting to be made.
Take care of yourself.
The best chapters of your life may still be ahead.
