One principle I have been trying to keep my focus on during the process of developing a voice in the areas of health and fitness is the issue of sustainability. It's a term that you'll hear brought up often in the context of finding programs and nutritious plans that you can stick to without quitting.
The idea of sticking with a regimen or a way of doing things with fitness for the long-term carries the connotation of time frames between your current age to about age 60, maybe 65. That's just how we generally think about life and aging. We don't contemplate worrying about being fit or paying attention to those matters past those benchmarks.
My personal experience directly caring for a very old family member in her home environment has caused me to adjust my thinking in two ways. First, I now believe that we can extend out our quality of life, which most of us attribute to our 30s and younger, much further if we focus on sustainability. Second, the ceiling age for quality living is not as static as we have collectively believed. The main focus here is to give a couple general nutrition principles which can help raise the ceiling.
People Who Are 70 And Above Have Different Dietary Needs To Achieve Sustainability
Probably the biggest reason that you will hear me say that you are better off moving around more and eating better rather than entering into a program, is that it is easier to stay in great shape longer in life. Good lifetime health is about doing the little things that matter most and doing them consistently. It isn't about doing herculean level training programs for 30 years. We all know that won't happen.
If you have the opportunity to prepare meals for the elderly and put together ideas for them to get regular exercise, you see the folly of making your health goals more about looking great at 40. The goal instead should be stretching those quality years for as long as possible. These days "possible" means a lot further into the future than it did even a couple decades ago.
When you are talking 70 years or older, you need to amp up the protein. One thing I have learned is you get it to them anyway you can. Older eaters are generally pickier eaters. So check out supplements like you see in flavored instant breakfast mixes. I notice huge swings in strength, pain management, and overall vitality when I am more aware of my subject's protein intake.
Invariably, there is a substantial artificial sugar content to these mixes. The same can be said with ice cream (another favorite of my subject which also has valuable protein). My rule is if it means getting valuable protein, you bite the bullet on sugar. Plan your meal strategy around making the sugary desert the treat for a meal well consumed. As long as sugar isn't dominating every meal, it makes a fine snack and treat which does no real harm. Note that you want to make sure your subject isn't having any diabetes-type health issues before you make these choices.
The last thing is to be prepared to re-write the rulebook. Elderly people are generally not going to be 4 or 5 meals-a-day eaters. They may only eat 1 large meal and several very small ones Work under the assumption that when they are hungry, it might be the last time that day. So read your subject and give them what they need, and as much of it as possible when they are looking to eat.
Cheryl Boswell is a writer and researcher on home fitness and health products. You can save time and money by getting FREE in depth news, features, and reviews on home exercise equipment, workout programs, health, and nutrition, including discounts and best prices at her blog. Check out a recent article here: http://bodyslimdown.com/body-beast-why-its-superior-to-p90x-for-many-men/ Cheryl and her associates have been writing extensively on the "Three Desired Body Outcomes" and particular suggestions for people to reach the one they want. So check it out!
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