"Are You a CEO Interested in a Feature Interview?"
All Interviews are 100% FREE of Charge
People are living longer: By 2050, the number of people living to age 80 is expected to triple compared to 2015, according to the World Health Organization.
It’s never too late to make positive changes, To stay healthy for the rest of your life, you need to develop healthy habits while you’re young.
Lauren Hurst, a personal trainer who has worked with people of all ages, from children to people in their 90s, told Business Insider that her oldest clients stay healthy and active by exercising consistently from a young age.
“Health is the number one priority. Without health, you have nothing,” she said.
Hurst, author of “North of Forty,” a collection of interviews with inspiring older athletes, shared some of the best habits to adopt while you’re young to stay healthy for as long as possible.
Prioritize your health
Do what it takes to incorporate fitness into your life, whether that’s working out with someone or doing short bouts that fit into your schedule. 20 minutes of exercise three times a week is better than nothing, says Hurst.
A 2023 study suggested that just 20 minutes of walking, doing housework, or climbing stairs each day could offset the negative effects of sitting for more than 10 hours a day.
Find activities you’ll enjoy
“If it’s a pain, you’ll never do it,” Hurst says. “If you say you want to be a marathon runner and you hate it, find something else to do. Bike, swim, play tennis, dance. Love what you do.”
Hurst said that if you’re able to move your body, you can also combine physical activity with something you love, like watching Instagram Reels while you walk.
If you haven’t found a sport you love yet, it’s never too late to try a new one: BI previously reported on a lawyer who got healthy in his 70s and discovered the joys of ice swimming at age 84.
Be consistent
Don’t stress about trying to exercise every day. Instead, decide on an achievable amount of exercise and stick to it, says Hurst.
“If I say practice three days a week, practice three days a week,” she said.
A 2021 study suggested that exercising consistently can give people a sense of purpose in their lives, which may in turn motivate them to keep exercising in an “upward spiral.”
Hone your technique
To avoid injury, it’s important to have a good understanding of how to perform the exercises properly, Hurst says.
“So if you can, get some training or instruction on how to do the exercises you choose. You don’t have to do it forever, but it’s probably worth the expense to prevent injury,” she said.
BI has previously reported on how to lift weights properly.