I hope enjoy this post from Jody, my blogging friend and fellow strength training fan! Check out her blog Fit and Healthy At Any Age! Here’s Jody…

Mary gave me so many great topics to write about but I decided to write about why healthier living has changed my life. I am hoping to reach out to some of the younger people as well who think they have plenty of time & really don’t have to think about what happens when they get older. Heck, I have been there so I understand that train of thought!

A brief note about me – I will be 54 in November & lost my initial weight in high school… BUT I did put some back on & did many “wrong things” in my younger days. Learning & knowledge is key & ALWAYS learning. I still am!!!

So, I sat home one summer (besides my high school job) & lost 30-40 pounds (it’s hard to recall the exact amount but at least 30) by eating 3 healthy meals a day & a couple healthy snacks. I cut out all those sweets & chips & things I had loved to eat! This shows you right here how important food is to the equation – at least 75-80%! BUT, lest you think you can get away without exercise, think again! ;-) All studies show that a combination of eating healthier/better AND exercise lead to weight loss & LONG TERM MAINTENANCE. I will say that at least losing weight started to make me feel better about myself although I can tell you from experience that it does not solve all your negative thought problems. That has to come from within!

In college, between classes & work, yes, I did put back on a little weight, maybe 5-8 pounds which is a lot on a 5’1” short person! Once out of school & working, I joined a woman gym near my home at that time & then Family Fitness in 1982, which is now 24 Hour Fitness. I started doing some weights & aerobic classes, which were the big thing back then. I was eating healthier BUT also doing the stupid – cut the calories way back & avoid all fat! Learn from this – a big NOT GOOD!

Once I started exercising & “eating better”, one thing lead to another & I just kept trying new things & wanting to do more weights & other exercise feats. Studies do show that if you put the effort in to eat better & start looking & feeling better about yourself, it will lead to you sticking with it. I found this TRUE! I kept the weights but also started running in 5K races. Just another thing to try & challenge myself.

In my 30’s, I got into weights big time & kept the cardio as well. But I also started to learn how to eat better, more calories, the right combination of protein, carbs & fats and LEARNED that food is not the enemy. I was eating more (healthier & cleaner foods) but looking better & wearing smaller sizes. I competed in my first bodybuilding competition in my late 30’s!

Now in my 50’s, I can tell you that by starting young & learning the “right way for you” to do it when you are young will make it so much easier on you as you age. Our lives change, our bodies change, our priorities change. If you already have your weight under control & know how to manage healthy eating & exercise during the different/difficult times in your life, keeping it off as you age is going to be so much easier.

Let me tell you, come the 40’s, your body will want to attack you & having learned about your body early is going to make this time easier to deal with. You already know how to manage & maintain your weight so you can work from that point to handle the changing body & hormones. Yes, it is tough but without all my knowledge & learning from when I was younger, honestly, I would be SOL right now! ;-)

Take my advice, get on the healthy bandwagon early on & it is still NEVER TOO LATE! Plenty of bloggers have proved that to us! You are worth it & every person that comes into your life will now that. You will also be equipped to handle all the “craziness” that comes your way!