The Secret to Long Life Revealed

If you want to achieve what others do, then logically doesn't it make sense to DO the things others have succeeded at doing? How does someone for instance live to be 100 years of age or older? When something is tried, tested and true, why try to reinvent the wheel. In my journey to health through proper nutrition and exercise, I ask myself what paths have centenarians taken that lead to a long life of health and happiness, and can I make their success mine?

This present mortal life has some certainties, such as if you have an inactive lifestyle, you're going to age faster and increase your exposure to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, bone loss and cardiovascular disease. We know that in contrast regular physical exercise, or an active lifestyle through daily routine, are proven to lower mortality rates. But is there more to it than that? Of course there is. So by studying the lives of those with longevity we can identify several key factors that provide for a foundation of a fulfilling and long life.

So what are the common denominators in the lives of people and cultures that they all do that lead to a path of a long life?

1. Move Naturally for physical activity.
2. The Right Outlook. Downshift and Purpose Now.
3. Eat Wisely. Wine, Plant Slant and 80% Rule.
4. Connect. Love ones first, belong and right tribe.

To find the path to long life and health, Dan Buettner and his team study the world's "Blue Zones," communities whose elders live with vim and vigor to record-setting age. At a TED presentation, he shares the above common diet and lifestyle habits that keep them spry past age 100.



Of course, there's no guarantee that people who make healthy lifestyle changes will live to age 100. However, you will certainly enjoy a better quality of life and a longer life if you do. Here's my quick laundry list of things to do.

Lose weight. Or if you're at an ideal body weight now, stay there. Extra weight puts a strain on your heart and body and puts people at risk of diseases that shorten life. The simple fact is most people simply eat too much. Cutting back on calories is one step to help trim your waistline and extend life. Research suggests animals fed fewer calories live longer — about 40% longer!

Shape up. Regular exercise can help prevent or delay a laundry list of diseases. The experts say to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise 5 days a week or more. And it's never too late to start a fitness program. Even seniors who've never been active before can work up to a fitness routine that will help keep them strong for years to come. Walking, swimming, dancing — even gardening and housework — can help to stay in shape.

If you smoke, stop. Tobacco-related diseases cause more than 400,000 deaths a year in the USA alone. Yet nearly 50 million Americans still smoke. Go figure.

Socialize. Go to a party, join a movie club, help out at a charity, meetup on the internet. Research suggests that people who build and maintain friendships and family relationships often are healthier and seem to recover from illness faster. Social connections may ward off depression and seem to boost the body's immune system, which helps fight infection.

Reduce stress. Take a walk, meditate, have some quiet time or have lunch with a friend. Scientists say that people who build stress-busting habits into their daily routine gain a big health benefit. Unhealthy stress puts us at risk of getting sick or developing chronic diseases that can cut life short.

Eat a healthy diet. Diets that include 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day can help prevent age-related damage to cells. Fruits and veggies, the more colorful the better, contain protective substances that can help ward off diseases. Most longevity experts recommend cutting down on fatty, salty, sugary foods. Go for lean meats like poultry and fish, as well as a wide variety of fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and whole grain foods.

Get a good night's sleep. Research shows that sleep deprivation can lead to memory lapses, depression and immune system problems as well as obesity.  Scientists say sleep deprivation may not be a natural part of aging.

It's never too late to start changing bad habits, habits that can shave years off your life and impact the quality of your life.   So, if you want the straight dope on fueling your body with nutritious food and what to avoid, I'm here to help and it won't cost you a penny for the free advice based on my own experience and what has worked for me.  I hope you'll follow my blog and provide me with some feedback on my posts.  I'll be catering good choices that include both dietary and lifestyle changes.  So if you could use a boost to your engine, buckle up for the ride of your life and let's get started!

Test your knowledge on health aging at The Alliance for Aging Research website

Boredom is Enemy Number One

At one time or another you and I have each experienced boredom to one degree or another. My kids are usually the quickest to say “I’m bored,” but  as adults, we experience our share. Boredom comes sometimes from a feeling of laziness, exhaustion, or even a lack of mental stimulation.  It's a  very powerful emotion that if not kept in check can run our lives a muck.  I don't know how realistic it is to keep my mind and body continually at its peak, but it's certainly is something to be striving  for.  Having an active lifestyle and being the director of my life is something I've  always aimed for, but haven't always been motivated or persistent in that department.  When boredom is on the mental and emotional stage, I feel robbed of  having my needs met.  Boredom becomes enemy number one!

When I'm bored I feel empty inside.  Sometimes I just get fed up with a particular situation at that given moment or at the lack of activity in my life.  Boredom leads to complacency, makes me feel tired, restless and can cause me to procrastinate and become indecisive.  I end up do nothing which just makes me even more fed up and bored.  You start to feel like you're in a rut.  Your outlook on life turns sour.  You may even feel irritable and angry. These negative things turn into negative self-talk that just further fuels the boredom, especially when I'm alone, which often leads to overeating or binge eating.

You've probably heard that before you can accomplish something or make it happen, you need to visualize what it is you want.  Who do you want to be and where do you want to go? What is your purpose?  Is your routine too repetitive or overly structured?  Change it up.  Instead of waiting for something to happen,  take action yourself and initiate it.  Think, if it is to be, it is up to me.  Failures don't plan to fail; they fail to plan.  The key to overcoming boredom is simply refusing to allow it in  the first place and to have a positive outlook about life and all of its endless possibilities.  One of the actions to overcoming my boredom has been changing my attitude and outlook on life.  It seems to have have a positive influence to how I perceive boredom. 

Being inspired towards bigger and better goals, I've become motivated and have fewer tendencies to feel bored.  A great method to longer lasting health and well-being is simply moving your body and getting that circulation going. Exercise stimulates the chemicals called endorphins that improves your mood naturally and makes you feel better.  Get off the couch and get busy with something, anything.  Plan your day so it's full of activities for your body and mind.  TV does not engage your mind, so don't even think about it! Live your life, not theirs.  Beachbody workouts, like P90X, offer a variety that keeps the boredom away too, as long as you keep pushing play. 

So the next time you start to feel bored, give yourself a daily goal and then keep your mind on that goal. Get excited, get inspired, get motivated and be persistent!  There's no time to get bored.  It's that little push for yourself that keeps everything interesting.  Finally, remember that nutrition is king and exercise is queen, put them together for your own kingdom and squash the boredom bug!  Let me know what your remedy for boredom is by leaving a comment today.  Thanks for reading the blogpost and I hope you will share it.

If you want the straight dope on fueling your body with nutritious food and what to avoid, I'm here to help and it won't cost you a penny for the free advice based on my own experience and what has worked for me. I hope you'll follow my blog and provide me with some feedback on my posts. I'll be catering good choices that include both dietary and lifestyle changes. So if you could use a boost to your engine, buckle up for the ride of your life and let's get started!