Would you be surprised to hear that there are perks to getting older? There are!
Studies have shown that as people age, they report higher levels of satisfaction and lower levels of stress. At the same time, many people assume that it’s normal to feel sluggish, achy, and irritable just because they’re getting up there in years. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Although your body may not be able to do the things it did at 20, you can feel vibrant, energetic, and healthy at any age. As a registered dietitian, I have a great deal of medical and scientific knowledge of the links between food and wellness, and I can help make sure that your choices are aligned with your body’s unique needs. My goal is for you to enjoy all the many perks of getting older—after all, you’ve earned them!
What to Expect as You Age
In youth, our bodies bounce back after red-eye flights, injuries, and overindulgence. But then somewhere along the way, that bounce turns into a slow stroll, maybe even a crawl. The truth is, most of our bodily functions peak around age 30, and then from there, gradually decline. By the time we reach 50, our bodies will have changed significantly, particularly if we were hard on it in our youth or suffered some kind of trauma or illness. Of course, everyone is different, but some of the changes that commonly happen with age include:
- Weight gain / belly fat
- Lower bone density
- Thinning hair
- Dry skin
- Decreased collagen production
- Slower metabolism
- Declining hormones
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Joint pain
- Reduced muscle mass
- Decline in hearing, vision, smell, and taste
- Slower immune system
The good news is that even though you’ll probably have some functional declines that you’re stuck with (ugh, reading glasses!), many of them can be slowed or even reversed with a healthy diet and exercise routine. It just might take a little more effort and intentionality than it did when you were 20. Upkeep is crucial, and I’m here to help you stay accountable to your goals.
The way I see it, growing older just means we need to be more intentional about the way we live if we want to retain our vitality. Our aging cells and organs don’t tolerate the same stresses that they did when we were younger. As long as we keep this in mind and make choices that support our health, we can continue to live active and satisfying lives.
How will our work together be different if you’re over 50?
Here’s a secret: My services for people over 50 are the same as they are for people under 50.
Why? Because everything I do is customized to the needs of the individual. Everyone ages differently, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and wellness, no matter how old you are. While there are some general health habits that would be good for just about anyone, a customized approach is always most effective when it comes to optimizing a person’s health and wellbeing.
Since a decline in one area of functioning can affect the functioning in other areas, I like to take a holistic approach to health and nutrition. But of course, I’ll also help you direct a little extra love and attention to any particular organ or bodily system that needs it.
Some common areas of focus for people over 50 include:
Energy, strength, and stamina
Metabolism
Bone health
Weight
Immune function
Gut health
Heart health
Respiratory health
Brain function
Mental health
Whether you have a specific health condition that requires a specialized diet plan or you just want to maximize your energy level and minimize aches and pains, I can help. We’ll start our work together by taking a thorough look at your health and nutrition history and discussing your goals and concerns. What you love to eat and what you enjoy doing with your time are important details too. I’ll take it all into account as I develop a personalized nutrition and lifestyle plan designed to help you achieve and maintain optimal wellness.