4 Hour Diets, 8 Minute Workouts - What Next?
March is National Nutrition Month and there is so much in the news these days about nutrition.
A new food pyramid was released by the FDA, Tim Ferris' book called "The 4 Hour Body" hit the market in February, headlines everywhere talking about 8 minute fitness plans or another "new" calorie or carbohydrate restricting diet.
It's an endless onslaught...
As Baby Boomers age, we seem much more interested in simplifying our lives, not complicating them with more fad diets, fitness gadgets, etc.
So ignore all the "next best" health hype.
Here is my solution for simplifying your nutrition and fitness goals for a healthy lifestyle that doesn't cost a dime, doesn't mean spending hours in the gym (unless you want to) and makes you feel a whole lot better: 1.
Take a trip down memory lane.
What physical activities did you love to do as a child? Hike, swim, play tennis? Did you ride your bike and love the feel of the wind playing with your hair as you sped down the driveway on two wheels? You were in good shape then, you can be in good shape now.
Whatever your love was - start doing it again!Get yourself a new bike, pull those hiking boots out of the closet, dust off the tennis racket, get those skis tuned up - whatever it is...
Don't wait, start now.
Enjoy that feeling again.
That's all it takes.
The whole idea is to get your body up, out, and moving again, doing something you enjoy.
You don't have to go to the gym for two hours or run ten miles.
Any physical activity that you add into your routine helps make you healthier.
If you're doing something you like it won't feel like a chore, but rather, something to look forward to.
And if you can enlist a friend you'll have even more fun.
Your heart and your blood pressure will thank you.
2.
Keep a food log for a week.
I know I've mentioned this before, but it's a tip worth repeating.
When you write it all down, you will be amazed at the amount of food you put into your mouth on a daily basis.
Most people are shocked.
We all over-estimate how much exercise we get and underestimate how much food we eat.
Looking at a list of everything that we eat and drink will help us to make better choices.
We'll see how it easy it can be to substitute an apple for that plate of cheese and crackers that we munch on while cooking dinner.
Or maybe we'll replace our mid afternoon snack of a bag of chips with a small hand-made bag of trail mix, or a handful of yummy walnuts.
There are so many simple, tasty, smarter treats that are good for us, that I'm sure you can find one you like to substitute for that treat you know is bad for you.
When you make the choices yourself, you won't feel deprived, you'll enjoy the changes, and they'll become a healthy new habit.
March 8th is National Women's Day.
I know most people in the US don't pay attention to that one since we have Mother's Day in May; however, National Women's Day celebrates EVERY woman, not just moms.
So let's take time this month to appreciate all of the women in our lives - sisters, aunts, daughters, grandmas, mothers and nieces.
Give sis a call and let her know that you love her.
Take your daughter out to dinner or meet your niece for a cup of coffee.
Giving the gift of appreciation is one way to improve not only the health of the person you're appreciating, but your own as well.
Feelings of gratitude and appreciation release endorphins (feel good hormones) into your body which, in turn, can boost your immunity, reduce stress and lower your blood pressure.
Pretty nice return on the investment wouldn't you say? Best of Health, Kathi
A new food pyramid was released by the FDA, Tim Ferris' book called "The 4 Hour Body" hit the market in February, headlines everywhere talking about 8 minute fitness plans or another "new" calorie or carbohydrate restricting diet.
It's an endless onslaught...
As Baby Boomers age, we seem much more interested in simplifying our lives, not complicating them with more fad diets, fitness gadgets, etc.
So ignore all the "next best" health hype.
Here is my solution for simplifying your nutrition and fitness goals for a healthy lifestyle that doesn't cost a dime, doesn't mean spending hours in the gym (unless you want to) and makes you feel a whole lot better: 1.
Take a trip down memory lane.
What physical activities did you love to do as a child? Hike, swim, play tennis? Did you ride your bike and love the feel of the wind playing with your hair as you sped down the driveway on two wheels? You were in good shape then, you can be in good shape now.
Whatever your love was - start doing it again!Get yourself a new bike, pull those hiking boots out of the closet, dust off the tennis racket, get those skis tuned up - whatever it is...
Don't wait, start now.
Enjoy that feeling again.
That's all it takes.
The whole idea is to get your body up, out, and moving again, doing something you enjoy.
You don't have to go to the gym for two hours or run ten miles.
Any physical activity that you add into your routine helps make you healthier.
If you're doing something you like it won't feel like a chore, but rather, something to look forward to.
And if you can enlist a friend you'll have even more fun.
Your heart and your blood pressure will thank you.
2.
Keep a food log for a week.
I know I've mentioned this before, but it's a tip worth repeating.
When you write it all down, you will be amazed at the amount of food you put into your mouth on a daily basis.
Most people are shocked.
We all over-estimate how much exercise we get and underestimate how much food we eat.
Looking at a list of everything that we eat and drink will help us to make better choices.
We'll see how it easy it can be to substitute an apple for that plate of cheese and crackers that we munch on while cooking dinner.
Or maybe we'll replace our mid afternoon snack of a bag of chips with a small hand-made bag of trail mix, or a handful of yummy walnuts.
There are so many simple, tasty, smarter treats that are good for us, that I'm sure you can find one you like to substitute for that treat you know is bad for you.
When you make the choices yourself, you won't feel deprived, you'll enjoy the changes, and they'll become a healthy new habit.
March 8th is National Women's Day.
I know most people in the US don't pay attention to that one since we have Mother's Day in May; however, National Women's Day celebrates EVERY woman, not just moms.
So let's take time this month to appreciate all of the women in our lives - sisters, aunts, daughters, grandmas, mothers and nieces.
Give sis a call and let her know that you love her.
Take your daughter out to dinner or meet your niece for a cup of coffee.
Giving the gift of appreciation is one way to improve not only the health of the person you're appreciating, but your own as well.
Feelings of gratitude and appreciation release endorphins (feel good hormones) into your body which, in turn, can boost your immunity, reduce stress and lower your blood pressure.
Pretty nice return on the investment wouldn't you say? Best of Health, Kathi
