Ask the Author: Andrea Gilats
Answered Questions (2)
Andrea Gilats
Thank you, Sharon! I love this question!
Although nothing will stop me (and everyone else, even babies) from growing older, there are some things I try to do each day to keep me feeling healthy, happy, and interested in life. I dearly want to preserve both my mind and my mobility. I want to be able to think, read, use my imagination, and stay connected to others, and I want to be able to live independently for as long as I can. I want to be able to leave my home whenever I want or need to, whether to have lunch with a friend, do my everyday errands, go to a museum or concert, or just take a walk.
A doctor friend once told me that as we age, our lifestyles, not our genes, become the primary predictor of a long, healthy life. Our lifestyles, he said, account for 70% of our life expectancy. Only 30% of our life expectancy is determined by our genetic inheritance. Wow, I thought, there is hope for me!
I’ve begun paying more attention to preserving my mind and mobility by eating a healthier diet (while still indulging in treats I love, believe me), doing about 20 minutes of modest exercise (whether a walk or some gentle yoga or both) most days while not feeling guilty about missing a day or two or three, and indulging in my most enjoyable pastimes (writing, painting, knitting, reading) rather than putting them on the back burner because I’m too busy or too tired. That said, sometimes I am too busy or too tired, so I settle in on the sofa and close my eyes for a while.
What I’ve discovered is that my healthier lifestyle has actually helped me look better. I’ve gotten stronger, my has hair no longer falls out, and my chronic health conditions have improved by leaps and bounds. And I’m happy. I feel peaceful. I know that I’m ten years older than I was ten years ago, but honestly, I think I look younger!
This is not advice. Each of us is a unique being, but this is a bit about what has helped me. I hope this answers your question!
Although nothing will stop me (and everyone else, even babies) from growing older, there are some things I try to do each day to keep me feeling healthy, happy, and interested in life. I dearly want to preserve both my mind and my mobility. I want to be able to think, read, use my imagination, and stay connected to others, and I want to be able to live independently for as long as I can. I want to be able to leave my home whenever I want or need to, whether to have lunch with a friend, do my everyday errands, go to a museum or concert, or just take a walk.
A doctor friend once told me that as we age, our lifestyles, not our genes, become the primary predictor of a long, healthy life. Our lifestyles, he said, account for 70% of our life expectancy. Only 30% of our life expectancy is determined by our genetic inheritance. Wow, I thought, there is hope for me!
I’ve begun paying more attention to preserving my mind and mobility by eating a healthier diet (while still indulging in treats I love, believe me), doing about 20 minutes of modest exercise (whether a walk or some gentle yoga or both) most days while not feeling guilty about missing a day or two or three, and indulging in my most enjoyable pastimes (writing, painting, knitting, reading) rather than putting them on the back burner because I’m too busy or too tired. That said, sometimes I am too busy or too tired, so I settle in on the sofa and close my eyes for a while.
What I’ve discovered is that my healthier lifestyle has actually helped me look better. I’ve gotten stronger, my has hair no longer falls out, and my chronic health conditions have improved by leaps and bounds. And I’m happy. I feel peaceful. I know that I’m ten years older than I was ten years ago, but honestly, I think I look younger!
This is not advice. Each of us is a unique being, but this is a bit about what has helped me. I hope this answers your question!
Andrea Gilats
I was inspired to write RESTORING FLEXIBILITY by my amazing yoga students. Like me, they're all in the Third Age of life—their 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond—and want to stay vital and independent for many years to come. I'm grateful that my approach to yoga as a gentle, holistic, healing form of exercise is working beautifully for them. This book grew out my desire to reach more people with this safe, age-appropriate, body-sensitive approach.
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