OF YOUR HEALTH

WRITER: JAMES COMBS PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

For men, it is no secret that each decade brings different health challenges. Unfortunately, men of all ages tend to be more dismissive toward health than their female counterparts, leading to costly and potentially fatal illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

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Here’s the good news. No matter your age and despite your busy schedules, there’s still plenty of time to overcome a lack of exercise and a bad diet.

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Lake County men representing fi decades. They are living proof that, with some commitment and dedication, men can indeed live healthy and active lifestyles.

We’ve also included fi decade of a man’s life, as well as tips to nourish their mind and spirit. After all, when the four pillars—body, mind, spirit, and fi balance, men can achieve long-term happiness and health.

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TIPS FOR 20-SOMETHINGS

• Get checked for STDs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as one in two sexually active people will contract an STD by age 25. An undiagnosed STD can lead to long-term health issues.

• High blood pressure and cholesterol can develop in your 20s. Schedule annual physician exams to identify these problems before they become serious.

• Establish healthy habits, such as exercise, nutrition, and adequate sleep. This leads to better health down the road.

ohnny Malik, a 27-year-old resident of Eustis, does not want to become an obesity statistic. A sales associate at Gator HarleyDavidson in Leesburg, Johnny is an avid exercise enthusiast who takes his health to heart. Rather than waste his lunch hour gobbling down greasy cheeseburgers, he works out in the dealership’s upstairs gym by performing bench presses and strengthening his lower body.

“I always feel better after I work out. For me, it’s a sense of accomplishment,” he says. “When I don’t work out, I feel sluggish and lazy.”

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After work, he switches his focus to cardiovascular health by competing on adult league soccer and kickball teams, both of which are sponsored by the city of Leesburg.

“I typically do not arrive home until late, but I don’t mind it because I’ve always been active and don’t like to sit still,” he says.

“My grandpa died of high blood pressure, so I feel it’s important to stay ahead of the game and live a healthy life. It keeps me feeling young.”

• Cut down on the partying and find something bigger and better in life.

• You have the time and energy to travel. This helps you experience different cultures, expands your mind, and makes you happier.

Part of that healthy lifestyle means avoiding fast-food restaurants. His diet primarily consists of chicken, sh, and vegetables.

“I make my own lunches and bring them to work. If I didn’t do that, then there would be more temptation to grab lunch at a restaurant,” he says.

For Johnny, who is unmarried and has no children, looking and feeling good certainly has other advantages.

You don’t have to be middle-aged to experience significant gains around the middle. In fact, a 2008 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that more than 30 percent of Americans between the ages of 20 and 39 are obese. ohn resi to b A sales Davidson exer waste his down gre dealersh p bench pr strengthe lower bo “I alwa aft For me, i accompli “When I After w cardiova adult lea both of w of Leesbu so I feel it’s th live a lif eeling you Part of fast-fo His di consis fish, a “I m lunche work at, more temptat at a restaurant,” he s For is has no children, looki certainly has oth me feel m w

• Find a passion that helps bring you a sense of identity and purpose.

“It makes me feel more confident when I’m speaking with the ladies.”

• Establish a budget and do not live beyond your means.

• Start saving for retirement. It may seem far away, but your golden years will truly be golden if you start saving now.

• Start building up your credit score by paying bills on time and not maxing out your credit card.

Source: kiplinger.com/article/saving/T063-C006-S001-10-financial-commandments-for-your-20s.html

Ahhh…the big 4-0. You’ve successfully transitioned from young adulthood to middle age. This is an extremely crucial decade to develop healthy habits such as exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and eating right. Any doctor will tell you that doing so can help prevent future health problems.

One of those doctors is Sijo Parekattil, a urologist and co-director of the Personalized Urology and Robotics (PUR) Clinic at South Lake Hospital. Feeling overweight and sluggish, the 43-yearold Clermont resident embarked on a lifestyle change in November 2015.

From a health standpoint, it was the wisest decision he ever made. With the assistance of a nutritionist and personal trainer, he lost 50 pounds and watched his pants size drop from 38 to 32.

“I always tell my patients to exercise and lose weight, but how were they supposed to take me seriously when I was overweight myself?” the doctor says. “I realized that I could not merely talk the talk;

I also had to walk the walk. Now that I’m living a healthy lifestyle, I get to lead by example. There’s no better feeling than that.” Despite his demanding career, he frequents a gym daily in the early-morning hours to focus on strength training and cardiovascular workouts. Additionally, healthy foods such as oatmeal, chicken, fi greens, and protein shakes are a big part of his nutrition regimen.

“When you hit your 40s, you realize that you are no longer invincible,” he says. “At this age, living a healthy lifestyle takes preparation, technique, and dedication. However, if you’re willing to put in the time, you will experience amazing results. I feel like I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been.”

HEALTH TIPS FOR 60-SOMETHINGS

With retirement looming, you may be wondering how you’re going to spend all that free time. Endless rounds of golf? Luxurious vacations? Nonstop travel? Those are all great, but don’t forget that you’re now more prone to health problems, such as aching knees, creaking hips, heart attacks, and strokes. You certainly don’t want to spin your wheels with no health goals in sight.

, of course, those wheels ttached oad nless, of course, those wheels are attached to a road bike traveling considerable distances. Such is the case for Paul Ratliff, a 61-year-old resident of The Villages and an avid cycling enthusiast. ber des three total of 150 ch ride, he averages hour. incre and endurance ove pr never too old to b of exercise,” In addit Paul pla a freque “For benefi and hel mind. I fe fi

As a member of The Village Bicycle Club, Paul rides three times a week with fellow members while accumulating a total of 150 miles. On each ride, he averages 19 miles per hour.

“One of my lifetime goals is to reach the age of 100,” says Paul, who joined the club four years ago after moving from Massachusetts to The Villages.

He also cycles Virginia’s scenic Blue Ridge Parkway each year.

“I’ve definitely increased my speed and endurance over the past four years. I’m living proof that you’re never too old to begin a new form of exercise,” he says.

In addition to cycling, Paul plays pickleball twice a week and also frequents a local gym.

“For me, the greatest benefits of exercise are that it relieves stress and helps clear your mind. I feel invigorated when I’m finished,” he says. That is why Paul becomes irked when others his age lead sedentary lifestyles.

“People say they’re too old or too tired or they don’t feel good. People our age need to be active,” he says. “The best way is to find an exercise you like, start slowly, and gradually increase your endurance. Exercise pays big benefi

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