6 Steps to a Younger You

Sometimes you have to get out of the familiar environment to see yourself more clearly and to set goals. Research has shown that people tend to adopt similar habits of those they spend the most time with, leading scientists to conclude that overweight obesity is in part contagious by geographical and social proximity. Alternately, when you surround yourself with health-minded individuals, the practices and attitudes start to rub off, as well.

So declares Crowley. We need to exercise 6 days a week, 60 minutes a session and 4 of those should be aerobic. And while walking is nice, its not enough if its without some intensity. Riggs Kilka, PhD, exercise physiologist at Aspen Club, with no uncertainty informed us that exercising for health takes effort. We were reminded that a purposeful walk is not a stroll; that we needed to huff and puff a bit to really reap the benefits.

This one I know a bit about already given my background in nutrition. The prescription for eating right was simple: whole, nutritious foods, served fresh, artfully presented in very modest portions. During the week we dined each night at a local restaurant with a special menu to practice in real-life settings how to eat healthful choices in modest portions. And in the spirit and practice of moderation in all things, one glass (and only one) of wine was offered each night.

Massage may seem like a luxury, but in the world of fitness and health, massage is part of optimizing performance and health. Research has shown that even a single experience with massage can help relieve muscle tension and anxiety. Periodic massage can also help relieve chronic pain and slow the aging process through promoting healthy stimulation, circulation and recovery of tired or overworked muscles.

In order to become healthier you need a starting point which includes a physical assessment that checks height, weight, and body mass. I realized that in order to find the motivation to make changes toward a goal, you first need to know where you are! When you know where you are, you can see where you can get. Certainly, doing the work takes motivation, so having ones baseline numbers helps one move toward a new goal of greater health. Armed with this information, I, for one, found the desire to get moving toward a new goal.

Finding a destination with a program like Younger Next Year Jumpstart Week at Aspen Club and Spa might also help get you on your waywhile having lots of fun. In our very busy world, here was one trip where I felt I actually gained more time on my clock.

About the author: Wendy Bazilian is a doctor of public health, registered dietitian and freelance writer in San Diego. For more information about the Younger Next Year weeks and books, you can visit youngernextyear.com.