Senior Health: Ideas to Help You Overcome Your Physical Activity Challenges

I am very excited to share with you another guest blogger, who focused on a topic many of forget about! As we get older phyiscal activity and good nutrition should remain part of our daily routine to ensure a long healthy life.

 

 

Being a senior citizen has many wonderful aspects to it. You are able to look back at
your life, feel pride in your accomplishments and watch your children and
grandchildren develop their own lives. However, you also have to deal with some
new health situations and challenges. What are some ideas you can utilize to
overcome these situations?

A Little Bit

Try to complete a small physical fitness goal every day. For example, some days you
could try to do ten sit-ups, and on other days you can go for a one mile walk
around the track. Eventually, your body will get used to these small amounts of
physical activities, and you might be able to take on more. Never push yourself
though; you do not want to get injured. Speak with a doctor about the type of
activity that you are able to take on.

Try Water Aerobics

Jumping around and dancing might just not be what your body is able to do anymore.
Instead of aggravating yourself and becoming frustrated, look into some water
aerobics classes. Generally, these types of aerobics are a bit easier to do
because you have the water to act as a cushion. In some cases, these types of
activities could actually be therapeutic, so consider all of the benefits that
you can take from it.

Eating Better

So many different components of your health are related to each other, and you need
to consider the foods that you eat as fuel for your body. Now, you do not need
to give up all of your favorite snacks and treats entirely, but you should look
to eating more healthily. First, consider any medical conditions that you have
and the foods that are required to help your body address these problems. Lean
proteins, fruits and vegetables give you the energy that you need to overcome
some of your physical challenges; consuming the correct amounts of dairy helps
to keep your aging bones nice and strong.

Conversations with Doctors

It is so important to talk to your doctor about your desire to overcome the
physical challenges that come with aging. If you just go ahead and do what you
want, you could be putting your body into a serious or even fatal situation. You
need to address your specific concerns with your doctor and find out what you
need to do to resolve them. While you are visiting with your doctor, you should
also ask what the best foods are for you to eat. The doctor might wind up
suggesting that you go to visit other specialists in the field to really tailor
a plan that addresses the specific needs of your body.

Dealing with the side effects of aging is not something that anyone really looks all
that forward to. Getting through these struggles does involve taking care of
your body, participating in activities suited to you and eating better foods.
However, it also involves having a positive mindset and knowing that you can
fight through the struggles.

Author
Pam Johnson is a CNA at a senior center. She obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant Degree Online.

Easiest Plants to Start Your Garden

I am so excited to share our new guest blogger today, her name is Bridget Sandorford. She is a freelance food and culinary writer, where recently she’s been researching international culinary schools. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.

Easiest Plants to Start Your Garden

Gardening is a great way to get a steady supply of fresh, healthy and unadulterated foods for your kitchen. However, many people are intimidated by gardening and all there is to learn when you are just getting started. What seeds do you plant? When do you plant them? What seeds have to be started indoors? What does it even mean to "start" a seed indoors?

There are a number of plants that beginners can grow that don't require a lot of fuss. If you feel like you can't grow a garden, you should consider these easy plant to start your own garden:

Carrots

Plant seeds directly in the ground about three weeks before the last frost. Plant them in loose soil, add a little compost or fertilizer, and water. There are many varieties that you can grow in all types of shades (even purple and red). You can even grow your own mini-carrots in order to replace those store-bought ones that are whittled from larger carrots.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a great addition to summer salads, and they are a cool snack throughout the season. Simply plant the seeds in shallow soil once the last frost has passed and watch them grow. You can plant them near a wall, fence or trellis to give them room to grow up. Otherwise, the vines will curl around your garden.

Radishes

Radishes are fast growers and are among the easiest crops for beginners to grow. The seeds will grow in cold  soils and require very little tending. Just put them in the ground and keep them watered. You'll have a hardy harvest in just over a month.

Greens

All types of salad greens are easy growers for beginners. They require little tending, and they grow up quickly. Choose a wide variety of greens to create hearty and delicious salads, including green and red lettuce, mescaline, arugula, and spinach.

Basil

Homemade pesto can't be beat in the summertime, and basil is a delicious addition to a wide variety of savory dishes and salads. A fresh caprese salad is a summer treat. You can easily grow bushels of basil as a beginner. Check out different varieties for some different flavors and scents.

Growing a garden doesn't have to be hard or intimidating. You just have to start small and find your way. You can start with these easy-to-grow crops, and as you find your confidence and build on your skills, you can explore other, harder selections to fill your table.

What were some of the first crops you decided to grow in your garden? Tell us about it in the comments!