Taking care of yourself in your 30's

[Angeldove97]

Back story: I had just started my first teaching job - so I was about 22 or so - and my very good friend who was 40 told me that when I turn 30 to start really taking care of my body. Eat well, exercise, stay trim, and get really good skin care products for my face. I thought she was crazy - it couldn't be THATbad.

Now I'm 31 and oh my... nearly every week something is breaking on my body. I'm typing this while my right wrist is wrapped up in an ace bandage with icy hot on my skin. No I don't have any clue how I injured it - my wrist was feeling better and I rehurt it yesterday night while washing a boatload of dishes. Should have stopped, but just had to finish up the dishes.

I must lose weight - was doing well too but I injured my back and that ended all of the attempts. I know I just have to get back into it, but that's the hard part. I'm afraid I'll just hurt my back again. I could get a trainer, but my first experience with one was really bad - couldn't get out of bed for almost a week without rolling out of bed. Not really in the mood to pay anybody to yell at me to keep throwing that weight ball harder. Nope.

Anybody noticing the same things? I hope I'm not alone. Woke up this morning with this on my mind and I'm thinking today is a good day to try again. I try to keep the mentality of just getting through this day - doing good actions for my body just for today - and it isn't so bad.

Also, I did get a fitbit back in August - love it but I need to get myself back into tracking everything and doing the fitness goals. I know I can do them - it's just getting myself off the couch and actually doing them

Where are you with all of the health goals?

 

[timewerx]

I'm 35 now. Still don't feel any change.

The only difference is for the first time, I hit my right weight! I've been underweight my entire life before.

I've been exercising regulating my calories since my teens. Mostly cardio and abdominal exercises (no particular program). Just 15-20 minute a day exercise in my room.

I don't use any skin care products other than the ordinary bath soap. My skin hasn't changed much since my teens.

 

[Paidiske]

I fell pregnant when I was 30, so I felt like that pretty much changed everything, health-wise. I know I need to make changes to my diet and exercise more, but I'm working on getting a healthy amount of sleep, because I know that a lot of the unhealthy food choices etc are related to being exhausted, so looking for a sugar hit, and so forth. I figure once I'm actually adequately rested it will be easier to work on the rest.

Well, my baby is five, so it's very much a slow process!

 

[pdudgeon]

agree with what has been posted. My daughter is in her 30's and health problems are creeping up on her as well.

Somehow we think these are years when we can do anything and bounce right back...except the bounce just isn't there like it used to be.

All i can say is if you've got kids now, train them well in the ways of how to take care of others in their lives, because they will need those skills.
Doing that is like putting money in the bank for your old age; the skills and caring that you teach today can come back to repay you tomorrow.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

A lot of health problems happen because we try to force ourselves to be healthy and fit through goofy diets and too much exercise, instead of allowing ourselves to be healthy by understanding how our bodies actually function and taking reasonable steps to ensure that we are in tune with them.

Trust me when I say that almost no one understands this and as health knowledge increases in the professional world it decreases in the general population.

I have always been active, good diet, good numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, weight) yet I wound up with coronary artery disease (CAD) and underwent triple bypass surgery at age 71. I have recovered nicely and still am active at 76; still working, climbing trees (bow hunting), etc. I suffered no heart damage, but had angina pains that forced me to an exam that revealed the CAD and the subsequent surgery.

When in my thirties I was healthier and more fit than at any time previous, or since. I had quit smoking, and drinking to excess, was lifting weights, running, and paying attention to diet. It was the golden age for me health wise. At thirty our bodies are fully mature and should be in the peak of health and fitness. If not we are doing something drastically wrong.

I encourage anyone who wants to be truly healthy to 'mine' the knowledge that's out there concerning health and fitness. There's 'gold' in them thar' findings. A warning though, there are things you will have to stop doing that are quite precious to you.

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Do you have to be 30 to reply here, or are you allowed to post as to what your life was life back then?

I replied because of my experiences while in my thirties, and because the others seem to be resigned to falling apart at that age.

 

[Tull]

Its best to take charge of what you have control of like diet and exercise,things like genetics and the environment are for the most part not in your control.....you will die of something anyway,God has numbered your days.

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[LoveDivine]

I find it harder to maintain weight. I think the real issue is that most of us in our 30's work long hours or have young children to raise. Unless you make a conscious effort to set aside time to workout, you'll always feel too stressed or tired to exercise. One thing that I found really helpful in the past was to do a workout during my lunch break. It was great because by the end of my shift when I was very tired and less likely to be motivated to push myself, my workout was already out of the way

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I find it harder to maintain weight. I think the real issue is that most of us in our 30's work long hours or have young children to raise. Unless you make a conscious effort to set aside time to workout, you'll always feel too stressed or tired to exercise. One thing that I found really helpful in the past was to do a workout during my lunch break. It was great because by the end of my shift when I was very tired and less likely to be motivated to push myself, my workout was already out of the way

I've always thought that exercising while tired is like driving fast to get to a filling station before you run out of gas.

 

[LoveDivine]

I've always thought that exercising while tired is like driving fast to get to a filling station before you run out of gas.

Haha, good analogy.

 

[LoveDivine]

I replied because of my experiences while in my thirties, and because the others seem to be resigned to falling apart at that age.

Very true. I have a friend that is in her late forties and she is very fit and youthful. She is my jogging partner and often times outsprints me, haha. I agree with the comments posted earlier that we can't control genetics or accidents that may disable us, but we can have a positive outlook and be proactive when it comes to healthy eating and exercise.

 

[Angeldove97]

Thanks for all of the replies - when I get a moment I'll take more time to read through all of them. If I wasn't 100 lbs overweight and I exercised more frequently I know I would feel a lot better. I know why I don't feel great - now is the time to bust my behind and get back into shape.

I did better today - met my fitness goals (baby goals, I should be further along but I slacked off after an injury and had to restart) and stayed within my calorie limits. I try to do 5:2 fasting lifestyle - fasting is soooo good for my body (please no hate, I have my reasons for fasting). Just got to get back into things...

 

[Poppyseed78]

I'm 30, and all of a sudden I have some wrinkles on my forehead I never noticed before. Yet I still get breakouts. So it's the best of both worlds.

A few years ago I developed severe dry eye, so that's something that has been unpleasant to deal with. I also have less energy than I used to, but that could be a side effect of sleep deprivation, as I also have an infant.

I try to eat as many fruit and veggies as possible, drink lots of water, and get adequate exercise, but this doesn't always happen.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I try to eat as many fruit and veggies as possible, drink lots of water, and get adequate exercise, but this doesn't always happen.

That's a recipe for poor health. Eat more protein, drink less water, and get more rest.

 

[HondaMan]

I mountain bike a fairly good amount. Keeps me rolling.

 

[Goodbook]

I notice im getting swollen ankles in hot weather although that even happened in my 20s and finally figured out I have thin veins so am going to try gotu kola to rebuild my veins.

I have always been on skinny side and and do wish that I could put more weight on so my bones dont stick out! Otherwise i dont really worry too much over my health but if theres symptoms i will try and find out whats causing them. Try and find a doctor that can advise you on nutrition NOT one that takes the lazy route and just gives you drugs to fix something.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I notice im getting swollen ankles in hot weather although that even happened in my 20s and finally figured out I have thin veins so am going to try gotu kola to rebuild my veins.

I have always been on skinny side and and do wish that I could put more weight on so my bones dont stick out! Otherwise i dont really worry too much over my health but if theres symptoms i will try and find out whats causing them. Try and find a doctor that can advise you on nutrition NOT one that takes the lazy route and just gives you drugs to fix something.

Doctors aren't nutritionists and they won't advise anyone on the subject. In fact most doctors will only discuss the physical ailment that brought you to their office.

Nutritionists aren't much better. They all want you to buy their version of nutritional 'snake oil'.