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In 1968 an English movie called ‘Here We go Round The Mulberry Bush’ was released. It starred a very young Barry Evans, of ‘Doctor In The House’ and ‘Mind Your Language’ fame. The plot pretty much centered around Evan’s character Jamie McGregor and his mission in life, which was to get laid. In a pivotal scene Evans speaks straight to camera and prophesies, “When you get really old, about 26, and you don’t repulse each other too much, you get married.” The important bit here is, “Really old, about 26.”
When we’re young isn’t that how we all, to some degree, think? Old age isn’t for us. There’s too much partying to be done and fun to be had. We’ll worry about the other stuff later. But inevitably, time catches up with us all. How we behaved in our youth can have unpleasant repercussions later in life.
Of course, none of us can turn back the clock. But it’s never too late to make a difference to your life or what’s left of it by making a few significant changes.
The following advice comes from someone who has reached the top of his profession in both physical and personal development — and he wants to stay there.
Grant (Bomber) Barker, Director, and Executive Coach at small but perfectly formed, Sutherland Shire gymnasium, ‘The Bomb Shelter’ says: ‘I’ve been doing this for 43 years and I’m fitter, stronger and more resilient than men half my age. Training is the fountain of youth, but it takes more than walking the dog around the block. You’ve got to have a champion mind-set, or you’ll quit”.
Grant is a former world champion kick boxer who had 60 professional fights for 50 wins with 48 of them knockouts. He achieved his goal of becoming world champion through grit, hard work and spirit. — he now leads by example to help others achieve their fitness goals.
His advice is as simple and straightforward as he is:
1. Always keep your teeth clean.
Degree Of Obviousness (DOO): 05/10 The consequences of poor oral hygiene can go way beyond cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Over the years there has been a growing awareness that there’s a close relationship between your oral health and your general health. Gum disease for example has been linked to illnesses such as heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Your mouth is a portal to the rest of you. If you have bleeding gums for example, bacteria can enter your bloodstream and cause inflammation in other parts of your body.
2. If you’re a smoker, stop it.
DOO 10/10 You can be a smoker, or you can be healthy. You can’t be both. There’s more evidence than you can poke a stick at that tells you so. You could probably be a smoker who tells themselves they’re healthy. But you know, you’d be lying to yourself. It’s hard to give up. But not impossible. There’s plenty of help available. Reach out. Your body will love you for it.
3. Don’t drink alcohol.
DOO 10/10 In some ways alcohol is even more difficult to ditch than tobacco. It’s so much a part of our Australian culture. Like smoking we don’t have to tell you here about the damage it can do ….physically, emotionally and financially. A beer belly is called a beer belly for a reason. Maybe this thought can help. Before you drink too much or even just a couple of glasses, think to yourself how much better you will feel the next day if you don’t. Then the next day you’ll think, ‘I feel great, glad I didn’t drink last night.’ It’s amazing how quickly you can become addicted to feeling terrific.
4. Cut down on visits to your GP
DOO 04/10 On average Australian’s visit their GP 5.6 times a year. GP’s struggle with what they call ‘Frequent Attenders’ who make up 10% of the population but account for up to 50% of appointments. One cause of this abnormality is thought to be loneliness. And loneliness is very strongly related to poor health. As we get older it often creeps into our lives without us even noticing. If you’re seeing your GP more than 6.5 times a year it might be better to cut down and spend your time learning how to play a ukulele in a ukulele orchestra. Many thousands of over 50’s have. And they’re a lot healthier and happier for it. Doesn’t have to be a ukulele. You’re never too old to take up a new interest. Chess, Paddle Boarding, Bird Watching?
5. Stay away from pharmaceutical drugs.
DOO 09/10. These days, if you have a headache you take painkillers. But you could opt for a natural solution such as an increased intake of fluids and a good rest. Collectively we don’t do this because we have become used to a quick fix, usually a pill of some sought, for our ailments. So much easier than losing weight or giving up smoking. In the US pain relieving drugs such as opioids are amongst the most commonly prescribed. But a quick fix can lead to long term problems. The drugs you take may become addictive. Bacteria in your body can become resistant to a prescription that previously killed it.
Award Winning American Country Songwriter Brandy Clark put it this way:
“Lay it on your tongue
Ain’t a nerve that can’t be numb
Ain’t a buzz that you can’t buy
Ain’t a low you can’t make high
Til it wears off, like it always will
And when it does, you take a little pill”
6. Exercise daily.
DOO 10/10 As the famous athletic footwear manufacturer says, “Just do it”. You can. People in wheelchairs participate in the annual Sydney City to Surf. No need to list the benefits. You know what they are.
7. Eat more vegetables and fish.
DOO 7/10 Your body must process and break down the things you put into it. Amongst the hardest to digest are, damn, coffee, alcohol, dairy products, rice, pasta, and corn. Red is meat too, especially if it is fatty. The list goes on. It’s well worth consulting Google to find out more. Some of the foods your body finds easier to digest are vegetables and fish and they’re rich in nutrients. Plus, in this digital age, numerous easy to prepare and delicious recipes are at your fingertips.
8. Bath in cold water
DOO 01/10 You probably don’t associate bathing in cold water with health benefits. However, doing so can stimulate your circulatory system, and may heighten your immune system and make you more resistant to illnesses such, ahem, colds. But we suspect the real benefit of taking cold showers is that it helps make you a hardier, more alive person and therefore more resilient to the forces of nature and infection.
9. Listen to your body, it’s usually right.
DOO 06/10 You’ve heard the expression, ‘listen to your gut?’ Right, well it could also apply to the rest of you. If there’s something wrong with you or about to be, it’s not unusual for your body to try and warn you. It could be just a ‘feeling’ or a slight pain that wasn’t there yesterday, or a small patch of skin that isn’t as pink as it used to be. Point is, if you think your body is trying to tell you something …. that’s because it probably is. Listen carefully.
Here at Thrive50Plus, we want you to Thrive. Not just because you are our audience and we need you to live long and healthy lives to keep our ratings up. No, not at all. (Well maybe a bit.)
By making changes to your life that improve your health, even after turning fifty, you can reduce your vulnerability to diseases and aches and pains. And increase you mobility, sociability, and laugh ability.
Only you can make you better. Do you want to do it?
DISCLAIMER: The above advice is general in nature and not that of a medical practitioner. It is based on personal research and experiences in life. Always consult your GP or Emergency Services if you are experiencing a medical condition, accident or incident.
