4 Ways How to Live a Longer and Healthier Life

Mark Cornelison, a married father of three, went on The Biggest Loser because he was ready to make life changes to get healthy. He returned 100 pounds lighter with a new life. Now, at 46 and after three years, he has no medical issues holding him back. He and his wife, Cathy founded SweatCor as a way of encouraging others on their health journey. They write weekly blogs, as well as travel the country to speak about the advantages of living a healthy life. Read on for Mark’s guest post for Fit Bottomed Dudes’ Week!

I want to live longer than my wife. I know, crazy right? If we look at the statistics, women live longer than us men by as much as 10 years! There is accepted opinion that we won’t make it as long as the ladies in our lives, but I’m not convinced it has to be this way.

Now, there are multiple reasons why men exit sooner; higher stress, more physically demanding jobs, more risk-taking, even toxicity of testosterone (yeah, that’s real … look it up … ). But how about this reason: We assume we will die sooner so we don’t take good care of ourselves. Essentially, we give up on our health sooner and spend our lives scrambling to leave enough to make sure our family is “comfortable” when we are gone.

How about we all try a new way of thinking? Our families will actually be more comfortable if we will stick around for as long as possible. Our families don’t need us to leave them secure when we are gone as much as they need us to live life with them now.

So how do you begin to make adjustments that will lead to a longer and healthier life? Here are my top tips.

How Guys Can Live a Longer and Healthier Life From Mark Cornelison

1. Leave work at work. I have yet to see a guy get to the end of his life and say, “I just wish I could have done more expense reports …” Instead, what I do hear are things like, “I should have spent more time with my kids,” “I would love to have one more date with my wife.” We must remember work is not who we are; it is simply what we do.

2. Make time for exercise. Exercise does more than burn calories. It reduces stress and clears the mind as well. Everyone needs this, but if you are a work-driven man who doesn’t exercise then you are not being as effective as you could be. Find something active that you would love to do and get after it. The benefits are far worth the effort.

3. Give healthy eating a try. Despite popular myths, there is nothing manly about eating steak and potatoes. There is a variety of foods out there that are not only good for you but they taste amazing as well. The problem with most men is that we don’t want to try new things. My advice, as a guy who struggles with this personally, is to get over it … add some new healthy foods to your diet. You will be surprised at what you find yourself actually liking.

4. Live for the “now” rather than for the “then.” Don’t spend so much time thinking about tomorrow. Today has enough going on. Providing a future is great, but living today is better. Don’t let your minutes be spent for the time clock. Take time to savor every moment that you have today.

Obviously, when we leave this earth is usually out of our control. But let’s make changes that will help us live a longer and more full life as best we can. If not for ourselves, then for our families who need us today. —Mark Cornelison