You start to notice the changes in your late 30s.

While your body has been aging since you were in your 20s, it tends to hit home in force when you’re close to your 40s and 50s.

That’s when you start to lose muscle and bone mass. It’s harder to lose weight. It takes longer for you to recover from a tough workout. Your skin starts to develop wrinkles.

It’s inevitable – everyone gets old. The good news is that you don’t have to take it lying down.

You know those 80-year-olds who run marathons? They're in great shape because they started young and kept going. It’s never too late to start exercising, but it’s much easier to keep it up if you start young!

Everything seems to slow down (or put up a fight) as you get older. Even your heart beats more slowly. That, combined with stiffer blood vessels and arteries, means you should take a closer look at your everyday diet.

While you’re checking your diet, take note of the other habits in your life. Are you a smoker? The damage caused by smoking can make your older years very uncomfortable (so stop now!). Do you have a high-stress job? Figure out how to alleviate that stress, as it takes a toll on your health.

This isn’t all about delayed gratification. Developing healthy habits while you’re younger will help you feel better now. And when you feel better, it’s easier to have a positive outlook (which, according to Harvard Medical School, may also help you live longer).

Start now so you can enjoy your golden years with minimal medical intervention:

• Stay strong. Exercise is like a fountain of youth! Keep moving. And if you don’t already do weight-bearing exercise, start NOW. You will appreciate it when, in your 60s and 70s, you’re able to walk without a cane and take the stairs without holding onto something.
• Eat well. Shift your eating patterns from high-fat, greasy or sugar-laden food to more fresh fruit and veggies, lean meat and whole grains. A healthy diet can help protect you from things like cancer, heart attacks and strokes down the road.
• Get enough sleep. When you don’t sleep enough, it tends to lead to higher stress, anxiety and depression (which can affect your physical health). Our sleep centers can help if you have trouble in that department.
• Don’t forget your brain. Learning new and complicated things can improve your memory and keep your brain sharp.
• Listen to your body. Get regular check-ups and screenings to make sure there are no surprises and you stay healthy as you age.

Take the fast lane to better health! Schedule your appointments online.

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