Elder Health

Elder Health

Looking back when I was younger, I wasn't so worried about my health. I just did what I loved doing and enjoyed it to the fullest. I fasted on weekends and lost a few pounds. And I stayed up late then too without worrying about getting sick. However, as I grow older, my body seems to be acting differently. I feel sick if I don't observe some important health precautions.

At 78, my main concern is my health: physical, mental, emotional, and social. I suffer from high blood pressure, and I'm diagnosed with diabetes type B. My weight has been like a yo-yo during the past years. I just can't return to my normal weight. Losing weight is a huge challenge for me since I love to cook my favorite Filipino foods and enjoy eating them—not worrying about the calories. Being overweight and not healthy affects my blood pressure and my sugar level.

Another thing I battle with is reducing stress. I've tried almost all the tricks in the book.

Lately though, I’ve learned that keeping myself busy, doing housework, working on my arts and crafts, walking, and exercising help me feel less stressed and other good news is that it helps me lose some weight, too. Being with people and having good social connections makes me feel happy, so I make sure to spend some time getting together with others.

I want to live a longer, healthier, and happier life. I'm determined to change my lifestyle to achieve those goals so that I can spend more happy times with my family and friends.

                    Loreta and Lucky

Loreta L. Antonio lives in Seattle, has taken several classes with Ariele and written several books edited by Ariele. Check out her name on Amazon.com to see a sample of them.

SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).

SHARING STORIES is featured on www.northwestprimetime.com, the website for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type "sharing stories" in the search function above.