5 Simple Steps to Reverse the Effects of Aging

Step 2: Spin Classes Won’t Help

Long endurance workouts don’t help reverse aging – in fact, they can actually speed it up. But wait – isn’t cardio an important part of preventing heart disease? Yes, of course – we’re not saying stop the cardio. But cardio workouts don’t require long, high intensity sessions in the gym.

A typical gym spin class is more likely to cause the release of extra free radicals in the body, which actually speeds up the aging process. Instead, shorter, lower intensity workouts are key (which is ideal, because it means you can spend less time working out anyway).

Step 3: Don’t Blame All Your Problems on Age

Some people use age as an excuse for their health problems. But it’s important to take an honest look at your lifestyle and assess whether your problems are really age-related or if they’re caused by something you’re doing deliberately.

This point is actually somewhat more about your own mental mindset and the people around you. If you have the belief in your head that your body is going to deteriorate as you age no matter what you do, then the natural result is to ‘let yourself go.’ In other words, you give up on trying to look and feel younger.

If you adopt the mindset that you can shave 10 years off your appearance with the right lifestyle, you’ll find it much easier to adopt the habits, diet and exercise required to achieve that goal. (Important point: this means not only changing your own mindset but steering clear of people who refuse to give up the belief that ‘life ends at 40’)!

Step 4: Stay Hydrated

No major secrets here: we all know plenty of water is an important part of staying healthy. But do you know why and how water helps slow aging? There are several key ways in which your water intake is directly related to aging.

For starters, plenty of water keeps your kidneys functioning properly – which helps take strain off the liver. The liver is your most important organ when it comes to burning fat, so helping it run smoothly is a big key to staying slim. Water also plays a crucial part in the elasticity and appearance of your skin – increasing your water intake is one of the easiest ways to take years off your face.

And remember that you can also get your water intake through the foods you eat – as hydration expert Ann Grandjean puts it, “Of the total amount of water consumed by the average American, about 20 percent comes from food and 80 percent comes from drinking water and other beverages.”

Step 5: Work Out Less (Yes, Less)

You can’t simply not work out – that’s a recipe for muscle loss, and muscle loss over time leads to increased fat gains, which is caused by a slower metabolism. But you don’t have to go to the other extreme, either – spending hours in the gym every week, sweating and straining.

Over-training can be harmful in terms of aging, and it’s much harder to stick to an intense training regime over the long term. You need a low-intensity workout which doesn’t take up a lot of time and which you can comfortably stick to over the long run.

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