5 ways you can stop feeling older and more tired than you do now

Have you ever thought about your age? Not the one on your driver’s license, but the effective age of your body when factors like diet and stress levels are taken into account. A healthy lifestyle can help keep you young, just as gorging on junk food, skipping exercise and indulging in bad habits like smoking can cause premature aging. But even if you’re not in the best shape, don’t panic: it’s not too late to try and turn back the clock with these simple steps. 

Take charge

Before jumping on the treadmill, it’s important to know what condition you’re in. With an app like CustomFit by Fitness First, it will be easy to assess your fitness level and then develop a suitable workout and lifestyle regimen. The app asks four questions about your experience level, the type of workout you want, the equipment you wish to use and how long you want to exercise. Using this information, it then creates a customised plan; and once you start working towards your goal, the BioScore health and fitness assessment keeps track of your progress.

Have a stress-busting solution

Leading a healthy lifestyle requires taking care of your mind as well as your body. How you handle stress seriously impacts your wellbeing, so when times get tough make sure you find coping mechanisms like taking long walks or having lunch with friends. Having a pet can also reduce stress and keep you active, while yoga and other forms of exercise can also calm the mind and body.

Dream a little dream

Don’t underestimate the value of rest when it comes to health; most people need seven to eight hours of shut-eye a night. Studies have connected a lack of sleep with conditions like diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Getting proper rest has numerous benefits, including a decreased risk of accidents and injury, a clearer mind and an easier time maintaining a reasonable weight.

You are what you eat

Eating right is extremely important, but the world is filled with confusing and contradictory dietary advice. Fortunately, some basic tips can help almost anyone. Consume a good variety of foods, including five or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Try to avoid processed fare like frozen pizza, and choose wholegrain bread and rice instead. Limit your consumption of sugary drinks; even diet soda has been linked to weight gain, so when you’re thirsty have a glass of water.

Get CustomFit

Staying active requires dedication, but CustomFit, a digital training system designed by experts, makes it much easier. The app creates bespoke workout plans based on your unique needs, but you can also create your own from a library of over 800 exercises. Check out the group classes and timetables at your local club and sync the workouts you’ve planned with your calendar so you don’t accidentally miss a day. If you’re not sure how to do a move, watch the videos for guidance. A personalised dashboard monitors your progress, letting you see how far you’ve come.

And always remember: where there’s a will there’s a way!