Reversing pre-diabetes after 50
As we get older our body’s metabolism tend to slow down causing us to process the sugars we consume differently. There are many reasons for this . . . the main ones being that we are not as active as we used to be and our diet hasn’t been adjusted to suit our changing lifestyle.
When we were teenagers or in our twenties we could skip breakfast, eat two slices of pizza and guzzle a can of soda for lunch. Dinner was a Big Mac and fries.
The good thing about being young is that most of us were able to burn off the excess calories from our poor diet. However as we age things change. Our diet and activity must also mature and change with our age.
The unfortunate result of not changing our eating habits and activity routines is poor blood sugar control leading to pre-diabetes or in many cases . . . full-blown diabetes.
Good news is that we can still remain healthy and fit by making the necessary adjustments in our daily lives.
How to stay fit as you age to reverse pre-diabetes
The effects of exercise and good diet does not change as we age. We can still build muscle and get stronger. However the way we stay in shape will need to change.
Here are some adjustments to make in order to continue to make gains as life changes.
Stretches – One of the problems we face as we get older is injuries due to poor balance and not focusing on the task at hand. These can be a precursor to pre-diabetes since they handicap our activity, causing us to miss days with no workouts or having to take medications with potential negative side effects. One way to prevent this from happening is to practice the daily habit of stretching our joints and muscles.
Proper rest and recovery – When you were younger you had more energy but lacked experience. Now that you are older with less energy . . . you are wiser. Let your wisdom guide you. It’s not so important to stay up until one or two o’clock in the morning and starting your day with only four or five hours of sleep. Contrary to popular belief sleep is not overrated. We need quality rest as we get older.
We are able to perform better at our daily tasks, stay focus and alert longer during the day and have more energy, when we give our bodies and minds at least seven to eight hours of continuous rest each day.
Warn up before doing any physical exertion – Preparing your body to exercise is crucial at any age but even more so when we get older. A young person can go to the gym and get right into their exercise routines, however, in your fifties and sixties it becomes more complicated. Take ten to fifteen minutes to prepare your body for exertion by breaking a lite sweat (running or biking).
Develop a daily and weekly workout plan – Having a plan is half the battle with any exercise program. If you start your day unsure as to what to do you will not have an effective session. Know ahead of time how long you will be working out and what you’ll be doing.
Learn the art of de-stressing – Stress has a negative impact on our bodies so it’s important to know how to deal with it immediately. Some popular methods are meditation, tai-chi, deep breathing exercises, counseling, read a relaxing book and exercising.
Periodically, visit with your healthcare provider to get health checkup. Knowing the status of our health gives us a base from which to build. If there are any underlying issues . . . deal with them. A close family member who had several risk factors for diabetes neglected to do this and is now permanently disabled because of diabetic complications.
Learn to eat for your age – Just as important, if not more so, is what we put into our bodies. We must stop eating like a twenty year old and seek out foods that are appropriate for our slower metabolism. Read product labels and avoid hidden sugars like the plague.
Get a personal trainer – Using proper form and technique when you workout will prevent lasting injuries. A personal trainer can guide you along. Employ one for a time – a month to six months. Learn the basics of exercising so that you will have pain-free experience as you age.
As you age don’t let poor blood sugar dictate your day. Take charge of your health starting right now.