The more you age the more you exercise, simple.

There's this myth that as one grows older one can now relax and do very little physical exercise. Well let me tell you as a 74 year old that is only a myth. To stay physically and mentally vital exercise is more important than when you were in your 30's or 40's.

I'm not talking about running marathon's or climbing Mt. Everest what I'm suggesting is minimum of one hour a day of some sort of exercise like a brisk walk, some jogging, stretching, swimming, hiking, biking or weights. Consistently doing a combination of theses different exercises will make a difference in your golf, tennis or whatever sport you play because it will improve your endurance and strength. Travel will be easier, you'll have more restful sleep and most importantly experience a sense of vitality.

The best medicine for your health as you age is exercise!!!

Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun.

Beautiful place, unhealthy lifestyle.

Just got back from a wonderful trip to Ohio to attend a wedding. It was my first time to visit this beautiful state with it's vast landscapes and green countrysides. The people are friendly, helpful and a lot of fun. This is the core of our American culture which is thoughtful, hardworking and generous.

If you're confused by the picture on the right it was our trip to Machu Picchu in the Andes last year. That's me holding up the old archway!!!

Regardless of my good feelings about Ohio I couldn't help but notice their eating habits and lack of exercise. I saw so many people of all ages who were very overweight or obese. As we all know the two reasons for over weight comes from eating to much compounded by eating the wrong foods. The other reason is a lack of exercise.

Let me give you my experience and advice as a healthy 74 year old man, in these two areas.

Eating:

1. Change your eating habits by eating less (25%) to start.

2 .Eat slowly and chew your food well.

3. Eat at regular intervals, no snacking and enjoy your food.

4. Reduce fat content (more fruit and vegetables, less animal fats). Chicken and fish are fine in moderation. Beans, lentils and nuts have lots of protein and little fat.

6. Do not eat and drink. Drink prior to eating (10 minutes before and 10 minutes after eating).

7. Don't eat just before bedtime, a good 1 1/2 before at the latest.

Exercise:

1. The human body needs movement everyday so just go out the door for a brisk walk or a jog for at least 1/2 hour. No excuses!!

2. If you don't like to run take a hike or go for a bike ride.

3. Resistant exercises (weights) are very important as we age. At least 3 times a week.

4. Stairs may be the best single exercise around. No matter how many steps you take at a time, one or two, it's all good. Keep your back straight and try not to use the railing.

5. Finish your exercise with some stretching and sit-ups. Go easy in the beginning and soon your body will get use to all this movement.

These are the very basic things to get started and always remember:

Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun.

Multi-Tasking!!

Here is a chance for us to do some multi-tasking. First write to your congress person about the unacceptable state of affairs with the food industry who fill our grocery shelfs with unhealthy foods for their profit. When that's done go out the door for your daily run, jog or brisk walk. That's adult multi tasking for the day.

Now let me elaborate a little.

There is way to much confusion about what to eat, how much to eat and what's most healthy for us. Food is what we eat to stay alive--so why so much talk about it?

We don't write or talk about our bathroom experiences we just do what's natural. Humans decided what to eat long before the so-called help from the food industry. We don't hear about it because it's not a sexy subject and the food industry cannot make a profit from such reasonable thinking.

Because food is in our face and constantly being advertised in all the media we are fooled into believing that we need more than we actually do.

My answer is a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, a little meat, fish, chicken, grains and eggs all in moderation. The human body needs only a reasonable amount of food and a lot more exercise, as we get older, to stay fit and healthy.

Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun.

Obesity hits boomers!!

A very startling poll came out yesterday reporting that boomers are more obese than other generations setting them up for unhealthy senior years. Is that what they want? I doubt it.

There's no magic to getting in shape no matter what age you are but it does take a willingness.

Then it takes physical activity and good eating habits to stay healthy and avoid the chronic diseases that would make life after fifty difficult at best. There is no magic bullet to stay fit just a little work and some discipline and remembering that you cannot eat the way you did when you where in your 20's. Also it takes physical activity, not just dieting, to lose pounds. Don't keep a lot of food in your house and be tempted all the time, keep only what you need. Make your exercise activity each day simple like just going out the door for a brisk walk or a jog-run. It's really simple to stay healthy, if I can do it at 74 years old so can you!!

Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun

What the @#*#! are you talking about!!!

With out sounding as if I'm bragging I have a good education and I'm as well read as most people my age, so why do I have such a difficult time trying to figure what the healthcare system is all about. It seems as if it's designed for us not to understand it. I know that sounds like a conspiracy theory but I don't know what else to think. In my opinion there is a simple way to solve this issue but I'll save that for another blog.

For now and until we have a simpler system we have to depend on ourselves to stay healthy and fit. The information has been out there for many years, all we just have to utilize it. Start with the National Institute of Health, which is online for your convenience with some wonderful guidelines for staying healthy and it's free. For us older folks, within the NIH is 'Go4Life', a terrific resource and so easy to follow no matter what issues you have. Your government at work with your tax dollars, take advantage of it. This 74 year old certainly does.

Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun.

You're the best judge of your health

When you hit 55 years old just looking in the mirror will usually tell you what kind of physical shape you're in and I don't mean the hair that seems to be missing or the jowls that seem a little droopy or fleshier than they were last year. Short of surgery or transplants these things are all part of aging and it happens to all of us.

What I'm talking about is how straight do you stand, how big has your mid section grown since the last time you looked, how out of breath did you get when you tried to bend over and touch your toes or how desperately did you look for the elevator when the stairs are right in front of you. Take the stairs!!! Those are the signs that you must be pay attention too if you want to have a healthy next 30 to 35 years or more if one is that lucky.

Let me share one simple thought as a healthy 74 year old.

"Consistent exercise will alter your aging process for the better."

Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun

Things we know but need to be reminded.

"Chips, Fries, Soda Most to Blame for Long-Term Weight Gain."

This is a study done by the New England Journal of Medicine. It's wonderful to know that this kind of research is being done, but it seems to me that we are being made aware of something we already know.

How many who are over 55 think that chips, sodas and fries are good for us? My guess would be that none of us is the answer. We all know that chips and fries have an enormous amount of salt and sodas have a great deal of sugar, two items that as we grow older should be reduced greatly.

I'm not a purist in any sense of the word but I did cut out sodas years ago when I realized what was in those sugary drinks. It took a while getting used to not drinking sodas but was it worth it.

Keep it Simple, Consistent and Fun