With step aerobics making a comeback in trendy gyms, experts believe many of the fitness and eating habits of the ’90s could help us live longer.
If you go back a few decades, people were eating less, walking more, and sleeping better.
Our waists are smaller and fewer people are overweight.
Obesity rates in England jumped from 15% in 1993 to 26% in 2021, and in Scotland they rose from 16% in 1995 to 31% in 2021.
Pip Black, co-founder of London fitness studio chain Frame, said this week that steps are a big trend on social media, adding they can be used by people of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels.
And weight loss expert Dr. Aisha Iqbal told The Sun on Sunday Health that if we go back to living like our grandmothers, combined with today’s science, we can live to a ripe old age. He said he would be killed.
She said: “Fast food and convenience foods have grown significantly, replacing home-cooked meals. And snacking has also increased.
“We are now participating in fewer activities, less active in our leisure time, and less physically active overall.
“Taking a step back in time and adopting the habits of our grandparents, such as walking to work instead of using transport, cooking fresh home-cooked meals, and spending leisure time doing activities that keep us moving, can all help us: It helps us achieve our goals. We feel healthier and happier.
“Science has really advanced since the 90s. Our average lifespan has increased; heart It’s healthier.
“By combining the habits of the ’90s with today’s technology, you can make a huge difference in your longevity and have fun at the same time.”
Here’s a look at some 90’s habits that are good for your health.
Old-fashioned ways to stay healthy
aerobics
YOUTUBE fitness sensation Lucy Windham Reid says: “These ’90s-style workouts of hers include lots of multiple compound movements, like star jumps, so they’re perfect for staying in shape.
“They work on the whole body and even the joints.
“Using the big muscles in your legs strengthens your cardiovascular system and also works your glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves.
“Step and aerobics classes also have a positive effect on the mind.
“Workouts are often very complex and require concentration to understand the movements.”
walk to work
According to statistics from the International Longevity Center, we are walking less distance than we were in the 1990s.
The average number of trips per person decreased from 1,074 in 1999 to 862 in 2023. This is probably because people shop more online today, commute less, and travel less.
Lucy says: “You don’t have to run a marathon or climb a mountain, just be as active as possible.
“Even when you’re on a break from work, get up and walk 1,000 steps.”
better sleep
Too little rest time is associated with many health problems such as heart disease and depression.
One study in 1995 found that 24.4 per cent of adults consumed less than six hours of kip per night, but by 2012 this had risen to 29.2 per cent.
Sleep expert Dr Neil Stanley told The Sun on Sunday Health: Watch on demand.
“few sleep It has a negative impact on our physical and mental health. ”
smaller portion
Compared to 1993, biscuits are 17 per cent larger, chicken pies are 40 per cent larger and family bags of potato chips are 50 per cent larger.
According to Diabetes UK, even the average bagel has increased in size by 24%, and chicken curry has increased in size. frozen Instant meals increased by 50%.
Nutritionist Amanda Arcel says: “Simply put, we’re eating more, which means more calories, fat, sugar, and carbohydrates, all of which have a negative impact on our weight and health.”
refrain from alcohol
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have discovered that wine glasses have doubled in size since the 1990s.
In 1990, the average glass capacity was approximately 230ml. In the 1990s, it held 449ml.
Amanda adds: “Most wines are stronger than they were in the ’90s, when they were around 10 percent alcohol.
“Today, that percentage could be as high as 13 or 14 percent.”
we met in person
Dr. Louise Goddard Crowley, Chartered Psychologist, says:
“Face-to-face interactions fostered community bonds, fostered mindfulness, and reduced stress.
“The slower flow of information promoted mental clarity, and outdoor activities promoted physical and mental health.
“Incorporating this into modern life can enhance mental well-being in today’s overwhelmingly digital world.”
no coffee culture
Amanda says: “Coffee shops were much less common in the ’90s.
“And if you go into the store for coffee and cake, you’ll probably have more calories than you would at lunch.”
