Stay Healthy and Fit on the Road
By Bob Difley
June, 2010
June, 2010
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
While the majority of RVers are still of retirement age, many others are
coming into the lifestyle well before the normal age of retirement, before you
had a chance—or a desire—to build up a mini-fortune so you could buy that 40-
diesel pusher and stay in $60 a night RV resorts. If so, you have watch your
outgo closely or soon your wallet will have nothing in it but moths.
You probably don’t regret living on a sparse income since your RV provides you
with the freedom to go where you please, when you please, and with whom you
please. But there are a couple areas that, if neglected, could have an adverse
affect on both your wallet and on your enjoyment of the RV Lifestyle.
Namely, poor health and fitness. These scourges can cost you money—lots of
money—if you get sick from poor nutrition and need to visit expensive doctors
or clinics. And poor fitness will deprive you of the full and active enjoyment
that is part of the RV Lifestyle.
Take nutrition. It is tempting to buy the cheapest food. But the cheapest food
and fast food will not provide a balanced, healthy diet. Instead choose foods
with the fewest ingredients and additives on the nutrition label. Choose fresh
food over packaged, canned, or frozen, like fruit and vegetables from farmers
markets, fish direct from fishermen, pick your own berries. The fresher the
food, the more vitamins and minerals—the things that keep you healthy—and it
tastes better, too. You can keep fruits and vegetables for several days without
refrigeration, though they should be eaten when freshest. Choose whole wheat
breads and pasta over processed white flour. Cut way back on products loaded
with salt and sugar (read the labels—they will amaze you at how much sugar and
salt is added to prepared foods).
The next consideration is exercise—and I’m not talking about training for a
marathon here. Exercise can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels,
control diabetes, decrease heart attack risk, help alleviate arthritis symptoms,
improve mental health, produce weight loss, increase heart and lung capacity,
improve balance, coordination, strength and stamina as well keep the flab off
your gut and love handles. With all those benefits, why wouldn’t you exercise?
The body is a fine piece of equipment, designed for movement. Just like a
precision machine, our body must be maintained properly to remain functioning
at peak levels. And exercise doesn’t have to be difficult or uncomfortable. And
it’s free! Consistent, regular exercise and strength training can give you the
energy to pursue outdoor activities enthusiastically—as well as prevent falls
and broken bones caused by poor flexibility, weak muscles, reduced bone mass,
and poor balance.
Our ancestors lived active lives which required a great deal of physical labor
just to survive. Our grandfathers got plenty of exercise hunting, farming, and
struggling just to stay alive. A hunter-gatherer burned 2900 calories a day
just trying to get enough food to sustain himself, while the average American
today burns only 1800—but takes in a lot more. The surplus difference in
calories consumed by our ordinary daily activities can be seen hanging around
our waistlines, clogging our arteries, and putting us at risk for heart attack.
And if you stay healthy and fit, you don't need to dread the aging process and
fear gradual physical decline. I’m 71 and still run three times a week and take
no medications or prescriptions. You can do the same once you take charge of
your physical conditioning and nutrition.
Walking or jogging is good. A sturdy pair of running shoes is all you need—and
shorts and T-shirt—running naked will probably get you a fine. You don't have
to spend a fortune, just be sure they fit well and are comfortable. Throw in
some push-ups and squats to strengthen muscles.
Each person has an individual capability; pay attention to how your body feels. If
it seems easy, walk faster, walk longer. If you feel fatigued, slow down, give
yourself plenty of time to develop strength and stamina.
Good nutrition and adequate exercise are the simple ways to a better life and a
more rewarding RV Lifestyle. For more ideas, tips, and free information on
nutrition, exercise, boondocking, and the RV Lifestyle, visit my Web site: http:
//www.HealthyRVLifestyle.com
Editors note: Many of the readers of this site (including me) are on such a tight budget
that we just can't afford health insurance . That makes staying healthy a top priority.
It's easy to read this article and think, "I've heard this all before." Too often we are
looking for a magic formula that will miraculously cause us to be fit and healthy. The bad
news is that there isn't one, but the good news is that this article contains everything you
need to get on the right path. So let me challenge you to reread it like your life depended
on it: because it very well might! Then go to Bob's website HealthyRVLifestyle.com
for more detailed tips
coming into the lifestyle well before the normal age of retirement, before you
had a chance—or a desire—to build up a mini-fortune so you could buy that 40-
diesel pusher and stay in $60 a night RV resorts. If so, you have watch your
outgo closely or soon your wallet will have nothing in it but moths.
You probably don’t regret living on a sparse income since your RV provides you
with the freedom to go where you please, when you please, and with whom you
please. But there are a couple areas that, if neglected, could have an adverse
affect on both your wallet and on your enjoyment of the RV Lifestyle.
Namely, poor health and fitness. These scourges can cost you money—lots of
money—if you get sick from poor nutrition and need to visit expensive doctors
or clinics. And poor fitness will deprive you of the full and active enjoyment
that is part of the RV Lifestyle.
Take nutrition. It is tempting to buy the cheapest food. But the cheapest food
and fast food will not provide a balanced, healthy diet. Instead choose foods
with the fewest ingredients and additives on the nutrition label. Choose fresh
food over packaged, canned, or frozen, like fruit and vegetables from farmers
markets, fish direct from fishermen, pick your own berries. The fresher the
food, the more vitamins and minerals—the things that keep you healthy—and it
tastes better, too. You can keep fruits and vegetables for several days without
refrigeration, though they should be eaten when freshest. Choose whole wheat
breads and pasta over processed white flour. Cut way back on products loaded
with salt and sugar (read the labels—they will amaze you at how much sugar and
salt is added to prepared foods).
The next consideration is exercise—and I’m not talking about training for a
marathon here. Exercise can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels,
control diabetes, decrease heart attack risk, help alleviate arthritis symptoms,
improve mental health, produce weight loss, increase heart and lung capacity,
improve balance, coordination, strength and stamina as well keep the flab off
your gut and love handles. With all those benefits, why wouldn’t you exercise?
The body is a fine piece of equipment, designed for movement. Just like a
precision machine, our body must be maintained properly to remain functioning
at peak levels. And exercise doesn’t have to be difficult or uncomfortable. And
it’s free! Consistent, regular exercise and strength training can give you the
energy to pursue outdoor activities enthusiastically—as well as prevent falls
and broken bones caused by poor flexibility, weak muscles, reduced bone mass,
and poor balance.
Our ancestors lived active lives which required a great deal of physical labor
just to survive. Our grandfathers got plenty of exercise hunting, farming, and
struggling just to stay alive. A hunter-gatherer burned 2900 calories a day
just trying to get enough food to sustain himself, while the average American
today burns only 1800—but takes in a lot more. The surplus difference in
calories consumed by our ordinary daily activities can be seen hanging around
our waistlines, clogging our arteries, and putting us at risk for heart attack.
And if you stay healthy and fit, you don't need to dread the aging process and
fear gradual physical decline. I’m 71 and still run three times a week and take
no medications or prescriptions. You can do the same once you take charge of
your physical conditioning and nutrition.
Walking or jogging is good. A sturdy pair of running shoes is all you need—and
shorts and T-shirt—running naked will probably get you a fine. You don't have
to spend a fortune, just be sure they fit well and are comfortable. Throw in
some push-ups and squats to strengthen muscles.
Each person has an individual capability; pay attention to how your body feels. If
it seems easy, walk faster, walk longer. If you feel fatigued, slow down, give
yourself plenty of time to develop strength and stamina.
Good nutrition and adequate exercise are the simple ways to a better life and a
more rewarding RV Lifestyle. For more ideas, tips, and free information on
nutrition, exercise, boondocking, and the RV Lifestyle, visit my Web site: http:
//www.HealthyRVLifestyle.com
Editors note: Many of the readers of this site (including me) are on such a tight budget
that we just can't afford health insurance . That makes staying healthy a top priority.
It's easy to read this article and think, "I've heard this all before." Too often we are
looking for a magic formula that will miraculously cause us to be fit and healthy. The bad
news is that there isn't one, but the good news is that this article contains everything you
need to get on the right path. So let me challenge you to reread it like your life depended
on it: because it very well might! Then go to Bob's website HealthyRVLifestyle.com
for more detailed tips
Consider Making a Small Donation to Help Support This Site
Visit Our sister Site: cheapgreenrvliving.com