Lifespan is how long you live. It’s just a measure of time. Healthspan is how long you live well. It measures quality and time. Ideally, you want your healthspan and lifespan to match as closely as possible.
What are YOUR goals?
A lifespan goal is only to continue to be alive, it doesn’t even measure if you can take care of yourself.
Your Healthspan goal is individualized. YOU decide YOUR goals and then strategize how to achieve them. I have some recommendations, but the choices are yours.
- maintain physical condition: be able to do things you enjoy, maintain strength, endurance, and freedom from pain
- maintain cognitive function: stay sharp and continue to learn new things
- maintain aesthetics: be “comfortable in your own skin”, we might hate to admit it but we care about this! Maintain healthful body composition, vibrant skin and hair.
- maintain happiness: maintain social engagement, find your people and be open to new people, quality relationships, a sense of play.
Even though these start with “maintain” you are able to improve ALL these things at any age. It’s never “too late” to start.
Basically, my view is you decide your goals and then “reverse engineer” how to get there. If all you want to do later is be able to wipe your own butt (sorry!) that’s very different strategy if you want to be able to get up off the floor when playing with your grandkids, which is still different from “I wanna deadlift when I’m 90.”
The problem with humans is we’re wired for instant gratification, probably in part because in evolution the only thing that mattered was living long enough to reproduce. Today, the instant gratification social media culture, where people in real life bear little resemblance to their curated social media feeds, has made this even worse.
But, “it is what it is.” It’s not realistic to think we can really change this even in ourselves. We have to just recognize the problem and work with it. So, the Custom Healthspan LLC strategy is get yourself gains you can see and feel early on, and in the process develop habits that will serve your healthspan goals for the rest of your life. As your coach, I want you to have a sustainable plan that fits your goals and your life. I do not want you to be dependent on me, and you don’t have to take “deep dives” into all the nerdy science I love to follow.
Full disclosure: I’m in the “I wanna deadlift when I’m 90” camp myself, and frankly I will want to feel comfortable reading new scientific research then. But that’s my jam. You don’t have to have the same goals I do. But, I think whatever your personal healthspan goal, you want someone to help you that’s done the work to have a plan at that level.
If this is interesting to you, schedule a FREE Anti Aging Assessment with me.
Neither Deb Stewart nor any employee of Custom Healthspan LLC is a physician, psychologist, registered or licensed dietitian, certified nutritionist, physical therapist, or other healthcare professional and the scope of his or her consultation services does not include diagnosis, treatment, or cure of any psychological or physical condition, nor do the services replace the necessary services of licensed healthcare providers. None of the content presented constitutes medical or psychiatric advice, nor is it a substitute for treatment. The content on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. Clients should use their own judgement before applying any information herein to their own personal situation. Custom Healthspan LLC disclaims all liability as stated in the Terms and Conditions of Use and Service of this website. Visitors are encouraged to consult a physician before engaging in any Custom Healthspan LLC program or any constituent activity, especially if you suffer or believe you may suffer from a serious psychological or physiological condition or illness.
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