Fast Food Nation

With all the credible information out there to guide us towards a healthier diet the majority of Americans still eat badly. Why? Statistics show us that the majority of people still live on fast foods. The convenience and price of fast foods unfortunately sways many into eating a very unhealthy diet.

As a healthy 75 year old I began to change my bad eating habits when I turned 50. I always exercised but my eating habits were full of processed fatty foods. Slowly I began to integrate more fruits and vegetables into my diet and surprise, surprise I found I really enjoy theses new foods. Without going on a "diet" over the next 10 years I went from 170 to 150 pounds by doing the following: eating less food, less fatty foods and stopped the constant snacking. It works.

Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun.

Exercise and finishing

The best part of exercising is finishing. When it feels so difficult to start your exercise just remember how good you felt when you finished the day before. It's a real mental motivator.

Change your walking or running route so you don't get bored or lose interest. Never start with a difficult goal. Ease into it and remember the first 10 minutes is the most difficult. Instead of walking or jogging in the city go for a hike, it's a whole different experience without cars or noise only trees, walking paths, fresh air and lots of quiet.

All these choices are yours and yours alone.

Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun

It's so Simple

It's really so simple, just go out the door and get started. Within a block of brisk walking you'll begin to feel the difference. Picking up the pace your shoulders will start to move back your breathing will become easier and your thinking will be more positive. Try a little jog for about 30 seconds intervals then back to brisk walking. Look around as you walk and really see the neighborhood you live in. As a walker and not a driver it's a very different experience.

The hour will pass real quickly and you're done. Then some simple stretches to end your exercise for the day. If you have the time a short brisk walk after dinner will help digest your food and allow you to sleep better.

Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun.

Never to old!!

Last week I did a duathlon (run-bike-run) in La Quinta, Ca. and surprise, surprise I came in first in my age group of 75+. The real surprise was that four other men in my division were older, one was 80!!

The race started out with a one mile run then a fourteen mile bike ride and ending up with a three mile run. At 75 I can't run or bike as fast as I would like but I can still do it and that's what counts. A great feeling just finishing.

Brain functions better after exercise

Walking is now considered a form of exercise but was originally a form of transportation built into our daily life. Modern technology with all it's benefits have made us more sedentary creating many serious health issues.

Walking briskly, jogging or running has been proven very beneficial for your brain because it increases blood circulation and the oxygen and glucose that reach your brain. Keeping ones brain healthy is so simple all you have to do is what comes natural to the human body, walk.

So get out there each day and walk briskly, jog or run. You'll feel so much better when you've finished and your brain will love you for it!!

Keep It Simple, Consistent and Fun.

Exercise and your brain

As we get older our ability to run fast, swim long distances or play our favorite sports begins to decline. We accept this as getting older and not an indication of physical problems.

Yet we become alarmed when forgetfulness and memory loss creep into our everyday lives as we pass 50 years of age. The fear that dementia may be on the horizon creates a lot of anxiety for us. All of this in my opinion is unwarranted. If your body slows down as you age why wouldn't your brain do the same.

We all know that if we exercise daily and eat properly our health will not deteriorate nearly as fast. That's all we need to do.

Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun.

Lucy and Me

I spent ten days in Colorado visiting my son Peter and his family for the Xmas holidays. I'm now in my 76th year and still able to travel with ease and spend fun time with Lucy and Oliver my grand kids. Not that this is such a great accomplishment but so many of my contemporaries have a difficult time doing something as simple like traveling to see their families. I attribute my ability to enjoy traveling, including biking trips to Europe and South America, by staying fit through exercising every day and eating a healthy diet.

Keep it Simple. Consistent and Fun.