Three women, all in their golden years, reveal their strategies for improved wellness and a longer life.

Three women shared their secrets to aging gracefully for Women's Health Month.

Three women, all in their golden years, reveal their strategies for improved wellness and a longer life.
Three women, all in their golden years, reveal their strategies for improved wellness and a longer life.

As women age, the significance of their age diminishes.

Experts suggest that while time cannot be stopped, certain healthy habits can help slow down biological aging.

With aging, our physical and cognitive capabilities decrease, and our likelihood of developing diseases and eventually passing away increases, according to Chris Mirabile, CEO and founder of NOVOS, a longevity supplements company in New York, as he shared with Planet Chronicle Digital.

"While these changes are linked to chronological age, biological age is a more precise predictor, as it assesses individuals' aging process based on their health and condition."

According to Mirabile, a 40-year-old woman with a biological age of 35 is biologically equivalent to an average 35-year-old, which translates to a lower risk of disease and death, as well as an enhanced ability to engage in activities that contribute to a high quality of life.

Women's health
Left to right, Julie Gibson Clark, Amy Hardison and Lil Eskey shared the lifestyle habits that help them slow down biological aging. (James Lee; Amy Hardison; Lil Eskey)

During Women's Health Month, three mothers at different stages of life revealed how they are challenging age through basic lifestyle habits and treatments.

The women in the study took part in a six-month trial of NOVOS Core and Boost supplements, which are intended to slow down the aging process. During the study, they underwent three epigenetic tests that analyzed their DNA through a small blood sample to determine their "rate of aging."

Lil Eskey, 41 years old, still has young kids

A former fitness instructor in Phoenix, Arizona, Lil Eskey, 41, is a stay-at-home mom.

Growing up, she frequently had allergies and a constant sore throat.

She revealed to Planet Chronicle Digital that her mom frequently put her on antibiotics as a child.

Lil Eskey with son
Lil Eskey, 41, pictured with her son, is a stay-at-home mom and former fitness instructor in Phoenix, Arizona. Maintaining a more youthful energy level is important to Eskey, as she is still raising young children. (Lil Eskey)

"My journey into health and wellness was driven by a lifelong struggle with gut issues."

Eskey prioritizes her sleep for her health, she said in an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital.

"Good sleep is so underrated," she said.

"Consistently maintaining a regular sleep schedule is crucial for overall well-being. When you're well-rested, you'll find that everything in your life, including stressors and mental health, works much better."

Eskey also tries to incorporate movement into her life wherever possible.

"I bike my son to preschool and also use a bike trailer for grocery shopping, which is a few miles away."

"I want to be completely present for my kids and maintain a level of energy and vitality in life."

The family typically engages in either bike rides or trampoline jumping after dinner.

"We do anything to make it fun," she said.

Eskey has opted to abstain from social media in regards to mental health.

Lil Eskey hiking
Pictured on a hike, Eskey said she incorporates movement into her life wherever possible.  (Lil Eskey)

She stated that she only checks the news occasionally for important information, but she considers social media to be an extra source of stress.

Eskey and her family often experiment with different health practices, she said.

She listens to various health and fitness podcasts to learn about new science and ideas, and then tests them to determine their effectiveness.

"I discovered that I feel much better when I have some time between my last meal and going to bed."

She has also tried using a continuous glucose monitor to monitor her blood sugar levels.

Eskey stated that they constantly perform various experimental activities to determine the most significant change.

Woman sleeping
Prioritizing her sleep is the biggest thing Eskey does for her health, she told Planet Chronicle Digital. "Good sleep is so underrated," she said. (Photo Illustration by Ute Grabowsky/Photothek via Getty Images)

Eskey's biological aging rate decreased from .99 to .77 during the study while using anti-aging supplements from NOVOS.

"Our time on earth doesn't necessarily reflect the cumulative stress on our bodies. Instead, it's stress that causes aging," she stated.

"Now more than ever, it's crucial to address the toxins and stressors we encounter."

Eskey emphasized the importance of maintaining a youthful energy level because she is still raising young children, she said.

Lil Eskey
"The biggest thing is being able to keep up with my kids and be totally active," Eskey said.  (Lil Eskey)

"Being fully active and keeping up with my kids is the most significant aspect," she stated.

"I want to be actively engaged with my kids when they play at the park, rather than just observing from the sidelines. It's important to me to maintain a high level of energy and vitality in my life while spending time with my children."

Julie Gibson Clark, 55 years old, focuses on movement

Julie Gibson Clark, a recruiter residing in Phoenix, Arizona, emphasizes seven crucial aspects to decelerate biological aging.

She concentrates on full-body strength training twice a week and a combination of zone 2 and Vo2Max training the remaining days of the week, as she shared with Planet Chronicle Digital.

In her diet, Clark focuses heavily on veggies.

"She said she mixes 1 pound of cooked greens and veggies daily, starting with 4 ounces and increasing by 1 ounce per week."

Clark consumes 90 to 100 grams of protein daily, which includes a combination of vegan protein, collagen, and pasture-raised meats and eggs.

Julie Gibson Clark
Julie Gibson Clark, a recruiter who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, said she focuses on seven key areas to help slow down biological aging. (Julie Gibson Clark)

Proper sleep is crucial for performing well at anything, as Clark emphasized to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Clark incorporates saunas and cold showers into her daily routine. "This is my natural antidepressant and helps with focus during the day," she said. "For anyone struggling with low mood or stressful times, I highly recommend trying this."

In 2019, Clark started meditating and found it to be a significant stress and sleep reliever.

"I like to think of longevity practices like a braid with three strands — exercise, eating right and prioritizing sleep."

She stated that spending twenty minutes every afternoon enhances her sleep and helps her manage stress levels throughout the day.

Clark claims that NOVOS supplements have helped her increase her energy levels and slow her aging process by 8%, as per the study results.

Julie Gibson Clark
"When you start moving, you’ll likely be more motivated to eat well, and your sleep will be better. When you sleep, it's easier to stay on track with your diet and fitness plans," Clark said. "They all work together." (James Lee)

"Thinking of longevity practices as a braid with three strands - exercise, eating right, and prioritizing sleep - is a great way to approach them," she said to Planet Chronicle Digital. "And don't forget the extra colorful strand: supplements. Each of these components works together to strengthen the others."

As you move more, you'll be more motivated to eat well and have better sleep, which in turn helps you stick to your diet and fitness goals.

She follows the philosophy, "It's not the number of years, but the quality of life."

"I desire my entire life to be characterized by mobility, vibrancy, and vitality."

Amy Hardison, 64 years old, makes exercising fun

An 11-year-old grandmother and writer from Mesa, Arizona, Amy Hardison, has consistently maintained healthy habits and exercised regularly.

For 50 years, she has exercised aerobically for an hour a day, six days a week, missing only a few days.

"Exercising is more enjoyable for me when I listen to an audiobook."

Amy Hardison
Amy Hardison’s favorite exercises include swimming and working out on the elliptical. "I love working out at home — other people love going to a gym and having a trainer. Do whatever works for you and then do it consistently," she advised. (Amy Hardison)

Hardison’s favorite exercises include swimming and working out on the elliptical.

"Going to a gym and having a trainer is preferred by other people, but working out at home works for me. Consistency is key, so do what works for you and stick to it," she advised.

Hardison believes in the importance of finding a sustainable and enjoyable approach to nutrition and exercise.

"Aging will take you places you have never been."

"While some individuals completely eliminate sugar from their diet due to overindulgence, others, including myself, consume moderate amounts daily."

Hardison became interested in vitamins and supplements after participating in the NOVOS study.

She stated that she appreciated the inclusion of bloodwork at the start, midpoint, and conclusion of the one-year study.

"The study showed that at the start, I was aging at 0.86 biological years for every chronological year. By the end, I was aging at 0.74. This is strong evidence."

Despite her efforts to maintain physical fitness and mental acuity, Hardison recognizes that there are boundaries to her control.

Amy Hardison with husband_hiking
"Life is to be lived and enjoyed," said Hardison, pictured hiking with her husband. (Amy Hardison)

""Life is to be lived and enjoyed, and there is a limit to how much I am willing to invest in longevity," she said."

Hardison stated, "As you age, you'll journey to new destinations."

"The journey of life is full of learning and experience. Approach the inevitable decline with humor and perspective. Appreciate your body for carrying you on this journey."

A biohacker’s 5 quick tips for healthy aging

Melanie Avalon, a health influencer, entrepreneur, and podcast host, believes that women can take proactive measures to slow down their aging process.

Women can now gain a more comprehensive understanding of their aging process through online bloodwork and genetic platforms, which offer insights into their biological age, which may differ from their chronological age, as she explained to Planet Chronicle Digital.

"By making dietary and lifestyle choices, women can optimize these markers."

1. Optimize sleep

Restless sleep, characterized by tossing, turning, and hot flashes, is a common issue experienced by aging women, as stated by Avalon.

Woman sleeping
One of the biggest issues aging women experience is restless sleep, often characterized by tossing, turning and hot flashes, according to Avalon. (iStock)

To optimize a restorative night, women should establish a "sleep sanctuary" routine that involves maintaining a consistent wind-down schedule and sleep schedule, in a cool and dark environment, as advised.

Avalon advised that women can improve their sleep quality by using a cooling mattress, avoiding blue light exposure before bed, and finding the right sleep position.

2. Seek hormonal support as needed

Avalon stated that women commonly fear the perimenopausal years due to the anticipated hormonal fluctuations.

"By consuming micronutrient-rich whole foods, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and minimizing exposure to toxins, women can maintain healthy hormonal levels and smoothly transition into menopause."

For some women, hormone replacement therapy may be an option.

Avalon observed that numerous women might determine that the advantages surpass the dangers.

3. Optimize muscle mass

Maintaining muscle mass is crucial for healthy aging, according to Avalon.

She stated that a decrease in muscle mass and strength is directly linked to mortality, contributing to falls and metabolic problems.

Woman lifting weights
The maintenance of muscle mass is crucial for healthy aging, according to one expert. (iStock)

"Aging typically leads to reduced muscle protein synthesis," Avalon noted.

"It is crucial for women to pay close attention to consuming sufficient protein as they age, with a specific emphasis on the amino acid leucine, which promotes muscle protein synthesis."

Avalon advised that women over the age of 50 should consume a gram of protein for every pound of body weight.

She added that women can also participate in strength training to enhance muscle growth and upkeep.

4. Monitor essential markers

Avalon advised that aging women should take charge of their health.

Cholesterol test
Women should work with conventional doctors to regularly check key health metrics, such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol and bone density, along with other markers of disease, an expert advised. (iStock)

It is advised to regularly monitor key health metrics, including blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and bone density, in addition to other disease markers, by consulting with conventional doctors.

5. Achieve proper glycemic control

Avalon reports that poor glycemic control is associated with a range of degenerative diseases, including prediabetes and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline.

Women in their golden years can adopt a diet that consists of unprocessed whole foods, with a moderate amount of carbs, based on their individual tolerance, according to her.

Women have the option to use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to track their blood sugar levels.

For more Health articles, visit planetchronicle.net/health.

by Melissa Rudy

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