RESOLVE: Healthy at Any Age

There is no secret age limit to becoming or staying healthy. Nationally, many initiatives have been created to encourage children to be physically active and teach them proper nutrition. While it is best to learn these lessons early and form healthy habits that you can live with for the rest of your life, it is never too late to get started. Forget New Year's resolutions that most people have already broken. At The Health Club, we have selected a word to be mindful of all year long. The word is Resolve. Resolve to be healthy at any age.

You should select a word as well: Focus, Mindful, Happiness, Empower, Attentive, Invest (in yourself). If you can’t think of a word, we would be glad to share The Health Club's word of RESOLVE. If at any point you need a little refocusing, think about your chosen word.

According to Jack Carter, a Supervisor at The Health Club as well as a Nationally Certified Strength and Conditioning Trainer with Distinction, "as we age, we tend to lose muscle mass. It is very important to stop this natural process." One method to overcome muscle deterioration is to work on strengthening your core. "There are so many benefits to increasing your core strength including balance, stability, long-term weight loss, improved flexibility and breathing. Not to leave out the obvious, weight and resistance training will make you stronger overall," said Carter.

Shape Your Future, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, focuses on eating better, moving more and being tobacco free. We can all use this advice, no matter how old we are.

• Create a colorful plate that includes fruits and vegetables.
• Each day, become a little more active than the day before.
• Avoiding tobacco products is a very crucial step in resolving to stay healthy.

As we age, many factors beyond our control can get in our way to a long and restful night's sleep. However, sleep is also very important in achieving overall health. Control the factors that you can control.

• Reduce your caffeine intake.
• Put down electronics before you go to bed.
• Stick to a routine of going to bed and waking up at a similar time each day.

If you have not been on an exercise program, first consult your medical practitioner and then start out slowly. You can increase the longevity, weight and resistance of your workout over time. The trainers at The Health Club can help you determine an exercise program based on your desired outcome, current abilities and the goals you want to achieve.

Now is a perfect time to RESOLVE to put our health and well-being first in 2017. Starting, or even continuing, an exercise program can seem overwhelming but if you take small steps in the beginning, you can build up to a more rigorous program. Remember it is never too late to get started. Find your word to focus on this year to keep yourself on track to a long and healthy life. RESOLVE to be healthy at any age!