The saying, "Age is just a number," is usually said to comfort and reassure someone who reaches an upper milestone birthday and is feeling, well, old!
But research has shown that there's a lot of truth to that statement.
Especially when you're talking about someone who engages in regular exercise!
Although it's a dreaded word for many people, you can't deny that regular exercise provides some pretty impressive health benefits, including weight management, reduced stress, improved mood, better sleep and higher energy levels.
But now it's becoming obvious that exercise also affects your LIFESPAN!
Here's the story:
The Connection Between Moving and Living!
The more time you spend being sedentary, the greater your risk of health problems, particularly those affecting your cardiovascular system and metabolism.
In fact, a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology showed that participants' estimated ages based on exercise stress test results (i.e., their "physiological age") were better predictors of mortality risk than their chronological ages.
So, for example, a fit 70-year-old might have a physiological age closer to 50!
But it goes the other way as well. An unfit 50-year-old could have a physiological age much older than 50.
And here's something even more encouraging!
A 2025 analysis involving more than 8 MILLION people found that those who stayed physically active throughout adulthood had up to a 40 percent lower risk of premature death compared to those who remained inactive.
Even people who became active later in adulthood had a 20 to 25 percent lower risk!
So if you think you're too old to start exercising, think again!
Helpful Exercise Tips
At this point you may be thinking, "OK, that all sounds great, but where do I begin?"
Well, for starters, what matters is that you do something. ANY activity is better than none at all. Just start slowly and check with your doctor first if you have medical concerns or haven't exercised in a long time.
In addition, here are my Top 10 Tips for Exercise Success:
1- Pick an activity you like or at least will tolerate. You'll be far more likely to stick with exercise if you don't loathe what you're doing.
2- Get an exercise buddy. You're far less likely to skip a workout if someone is counting on you to show up, plus you can have fun and the time will fly. My training partner Mariana and I have a blast at our Muay Thai classes even as we're sparring each other!
3- Track your progress and celebrate your victories along the way. It's much easier to stay motivated when you look back and see how far you've come.
4- Place motivating quotes around your workout area. Here are some excellent motivational quotes: "When you feel like quitting, remember why you started," "Making excuses burns zero calories per hour," and my personal favorite, "Behind every fit woman is the butt she got moving to get her there."
5- Make your goals challenging but realistic. If you started by running two miles, don't expect to suddenly run a half-marathon. Graduate to a 5K, then maybe five miles, and eventually work your way up.
6- Make the time. Remember that we have the time for whatever we make the time for. Make the time for exercise.
7- Join a class. Classes can be a lot of fun, and when you're having fun, you'll look forward to your workouts instead of dreading them. Plus, you'll likely make new friends!
8- Listen to upbeat, motivating music. Create a high-energy playlist of your favorite music. Just be cautious about using earbuds outdoors if they prevent you from hearing approaching cars or other potential dangers.
9- Watch TV. If you love TV, put a set in your workout area and watch your favorite shows or a movie while you exercise.
10- Forgive yourself. If you slack off for a period of time, don't beat yourself up about it. Forgive yourself, get back into your exercise routine and vow to do better next time.
But What About My Diet?
Hopefully I've enlightened you about the significant benefits of regular exercise and given you some solid strategies for success.
But I know what you might be thinking.
Hmmm...if I get regular exercise, maybe that means I can slack a little with my diet.
Not so fast.
NO amount of exercise can completely undo the harmful effects of an unhealthy, highly processed diet.
I don't care what you do. You can run a marathon every week, but if you're not nourishing your body with wholesome real foods, you're missing a crucial part of the healthy aging picture.
And deficiencies in essential nutrients can have serious consequences.
Here are some examples of what lacking nutrients can do to you:
- Heart health: Inadequate magnesium can affect normal heart function, while vitamins B6, B12 and folate play important roles in cardiovascular health.
- Mood and nervous system health: Low levels of vitamins B6, B12 and D can contribute to problems affecting normal neurological function and mood.
- Immune health: Vitamin D, zinc and vitamin C are essential for normal immune function. Low vitamin D levels have also been associated with certain autoimmune conditions.
- Brain health: Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neurological problems, including memory and cognitive difficulties.
- Cellular health: Vitamins A, C and E, along with selenium and zinc, help protect cells against oxidative damage.
- Blood sugar metabolism: Magnesium and chromium play important roles in normal glucose metabolism.
Now, if your diet is dicey to begin with, it's time to do something about that. Even small steps in the right direction can make a substantial difference!
Make just one healthy change or substitution each day. That could be things like:
- Swapping out a soda for water
- Cooking a meal at home instead of ordering pizza
- Opting for a side salad or vegetables with your dinner instead of French fries
- Offering a crudité platter and/or shrimp with cocktail sauce instead of chips as party appetizers
- Choosing scrambled eggs, yogurt or oatmeal instead of a donut or Pop-Tart for breakfast
As you're making strides toward healthier choices, you can help ensure your nutritional bases are covered with Super Core multivitamin and mineral formula.
Not only does Super Core provide essential nutrients to support your body's everyday functions, but its natural antioxidants help protect cells against oxidative stress, while its anti-inflammatory ingredients help support a healthy inflammatory response.
Support Your Gut Too!
Health begins in your gut! It's responsible for absorbing crucial nutrients, eliminating wastes and housing a large portion of your immune system!
So it's essential that you support strong gut health.
In addition to having a healthy diet (and avoiding processed food as much as possible), a full-spectrum, multi-strain probiotic formula like Super Shield can help keep your gut microbiome in a healthier balance.
Super Shield's effective blend of 15 strains of well-studied probiotic bacteria helps support beneficial microbes and a healthy intestinal environment, so your digestive and immune systems can carry out their very important functions.
And remember, whether you're 30, 50 or 70, it's never too late to start making healthier choices!
To your health and long life,
Sherry Brescia
