You realize that “no pain, no gain” is not a sustainable philosophy.
It’s one thing to push your limits while you’re working out. But studies show that overtraining is not only brutal on your body but counterproductive to your health goals and mental wellness – no matter how old you are. Instead of interminable cardio sessions or endless hours on the weight machines, you’re more inclined to bring a better sense of intention to your workout: a good mix of exercises that build aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility, and balance. If you do experience pain, don’t be too proud to dial it back or seek physical therapy to sort things out
You can go to bed early and not feel like you’re missing out.
In fact, the only thing you’re missing out on is possible memory loss, brain degeneration, decreased attention, a shorter lifespan, and a host of other conditions that come with sleep deprivation. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health recently found that older adults who got inadequate levels of sleep (i.e., between 5 and 7 hours) show elevated deposits of a protein called beta-amyloid in their brains, a common sign of Alzheimer’s disease — although the findings do not necessarily demonstrate a causal link. It’s not that you can’t have your fun, but you come to realize just how important your eight hours are.
You’ve stopped chasing the magic bullet: no fad diet will substitute for a balanced diet and plain old willpower.
Crash diets are still rampant — juice fasts, Master Cleanses, one-food-for-days diets, baby-food diets — but you know that there’s no quick fix for an unhealthy lifestyle. While losing weight may still be a goal, you can do so by following a much more sensible, sustainable diet. According to the American Heart Association, if you’re overweight, even a small weight loss can reduce blood pressure or prevent hypertension. And their prescription is simple: eating well and moving often.