4 steps to increased health in middle age

Are you middle-aged (45 - 64 years old according to a recent study)? If so, you're probably concerned about your health, both current health and future health risks. 4 simple changes can improve your health, according to a study published in the July issue of The American Journal of Medicine.

Decrease risk of death by 40%? Count me in. Decrease risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 4 years by 35%? I'm there.

I bet you can even guess the four changes that improve health for us middle-aged folks:
1. ≥ 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily;
2. regular exercise (at least walking for at least 2.5 hours per week);
3. body mass index [BMI] of 18.5 - 29.9;
4. no current smoking or stop smoking

The easiest change to implement is to increase the amount of fruit and vegetables we eat. After that, increasing activity is doable for most people.

But stopping smoking and losing weight are the most difficult changes to make - and to stick with.

The good news is that making even one or two of these changes will improve your overall health. You'll probably also feel better on a daily basis and have more energy as well.

Evaluate your current status in regard to these four areas, and then set a specific goal to improve in at least one area. I'm off for a bike ride!

Lynn