“A gradual decline into disorder.”
I guess this is as good a definition as any of aging. It’s not pretty to watch, much less to see it happen to you – but in the present real world, the only alternative is death. There is, at this time, no way to stop this process. But at the very least, we can try to maximize what time we have left. And here’s where things get interesting…
Before we start, it’s important to understand a very important concept: you don’t want to spend so much time thinking about and researching this stuff that you get distracted from the actual process of living. So there is a fine line to walk between being engaged with your health and trying to stay abreast of new trends and just fucking enjoying life. So let’s don’t ever forget that. There are times where I wonder if I am crossing that line – but at least I am aware of it.
IMHO, the single most important thing you can do to maximize your state of health is to exercise. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, it could be as simple as walking some everyday. But it has to be consistent, and you do need to try and “push yourself” – in other words, at some point it shouldn’t be easy. After exercise, diet and sleep are the next priorities. I know, this sounds so simple, because IT IS. There’s a reason why you’ve heard this stuff over and over… Diet shouldn’t be complicated, just make it balanced and try to cut down on your sugar intake as much as possible. Of course you can still eat some sugar – just be aware it’s a special treat and it’s not good for you. Eat plenty of protein and don’t skimp on the fat. Fat is extremely satiating (meaning you get full quickly, and more important, you stay full). One of the reasons adequate protein intake is so important, especially as we age, is the phenomenon of sarcopenia – that is, the “loss of muscle tissue as a natural part of the aging process.” We need to consume more protein as we age to help combat this process.
Read investigative journalist Nina Teicholz’s book “The Big Fat Surprise” and prepare to be confused and shocked. Once you get your fat and protein intake up and your sugar intake down, you will start to lose weight. Exercise will accelerate this process. But start with baby steps – make this a slow and enjoyable journey of self-discovery, something you will do for the rest of your life.
There’s more (much more) you can do, but these are the big ones. Just always remember that you must enjoy life. This moment isn’t happening again, so you need to be grateful for what you have. In the meantime, entropy is grinding away in the background.
Use this knowledge to motivate you to live life to the fullest.