Feeling good as you age gracefully is no easy task. Paige, our Health Raiser of the Week, can attest to that. Over time, our bodies just don’t respond to French fries the way they did in high school. But, as Paige points out, learning to adapt to these inevitable changes will take you far in maintaining optimum health. Of course, regular exercise is a big part of keeping your weight balanced as we age, but that’s not all.
What does health mean to you?
At 51, health has become a huge priority in my life. If I had to define health it would be a different definition for each decade. My concerns totally shifted during my 20s, 30s, 40s and now 50s. Going through the change of life brings a whole new awareness of things I took for granted in previous years.
Right now, my focus is on getting restful sleep, using a natural sleep aid when I need it. I’m also very adamant about weight lifting regularly to help prevent muscle and bone loss. Of course, at my age, heart health is a major concern. That’s why I eat a low-fat diet and make sure to do 5-6 cardio workouts each week. I find it effective to keep my carb intake down to around 85-100 net grams per day. Between my diet and my daily black cohosh supplement, I’m doing pretty well at managing menopausal hot flashes and weight gain.
What inspired you to start living a healthy life?
Weight control is really important. After realizing how less forgiving our bodies are at age 51 versus 15, I actually felt forced to take a more serious look at my daily habits.
What are three things you do to stay healthy?
- Exercise regularly, lifting weights and doing aerobic workouts.
- Plan my meals every week.
- Avoid sugar at all costs.
Physically speaking, sugar makes me crave more sugar. Plus, there are real emotional aspects impacted by consuming too much sugar. I’ve learned to substitute the refined white stuff with stevia-sweetened chocolate, Quest protein bars, baked goods made of protein powder and (my new favorites!) Amber Lyn Sugar-Free Almonds in Belgium Dark Chocolate.
What is one motivational quote that you live by?
My sister, Gia, always said, “Sugar is the devil!” It’s not my entire life mantra, but it has helped me achieve a much healthier state.
What advice do you have for someone who is trying to live healthier?
Organize! If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. I’ve noticed it takes longer to get ready for the day when you’re disorganized than the amount of time it takes to plan and prep in advance. I strongly encourage making a menu for the week ahead and make food in multiples. To save time, I make four protein shakes at once and store in the fridge, so all I have to do in the morning is add ice and blend. I also suggest (if you can) to get your workout done before heading off to work. You’ll feel tremendously better about the day ahead.
Good, healthy choices don’t leave me feeling deprived; they allow me more freedom to do the things I want to do and enjoy a full active life with loving relationships. For the last several years, I have celebrated my birthday by climbing Pikes Peak in Colorado – a 14,000-foot mountain that spans 13 miles. My life goal is to live to continue that tradition until there are no more climbs left.