On being the healthiest you can be

[flowerseverywhere]

In the midst of all the insurance mess DH and I started researching how we can make our life as healthy as possible. Every time we see the MD they seem to want to give us medication for something or another. I also do a lot of reading, and recently read that a panel of doctors voted the dash diet the best. Well I got the book from the library and was appalled to see some of the foods they recommended were sugar free jello and egg beaters, both of which have chemicals in them.

So we are eating the most natural food we can, as I would rather have real butter on my steamed veggies than some artificial stuff. Steel cut outs instead of Cheerios etc. I also saw an Ayurvedic practitioner, and we exercise and try to minimize stress. We eat a lot of raw fruits and veggies, and try to get the best quality meat we can find. I will say we feel great and have more energy than ever.

so what resources have you found to help you along your health journey? What makes you feel your best?

[razz]

Flowers, while I agree that diet, exercise and careful choices are important in a healthy life, I do believe that a good mental attitude is 50% of being healthy. By that, I mean more than freedom from stress.
I am finding that 'life happens'. It is our response and mental preparation that makes the difference between health and something less than that.
I have several groups of friends and neighbours that form my community and support team and give me peace of mind if "sh*t" happens. I am part of their support team.
One friend and I talk every day early in the day just to connect and make sure the other is OK. We share and encourage. Your DH will do this as well but don't make him the only support.
Share the good and reduce the negative. Look for the positive in all circumstances. One cannot be depressed if one is feeling gratitude. Count your blessings from the warm bed in the early am, the smiles of strangers, the sun shining or sparkling snow to the comfortable for sleep in the late pm.

I do wrestle with gloomy thoughts some days but it is my choice and under my control to win or concede the battle.

[frugal-one]

Like you... I have been researching what to do to be as healthy as possible both physically and mentally. The books by Steven/Wendy Pratt regarding SuperFoods are good IMO. Also, I am continuing to find new things to learn. ie... just learned to play mah jongg, continue study of herbal medicine, etc. Have found exercise programs on tv that keep me moving and walk at least 5 miles per day (having a dog helps).

[Lainey]

I'm joining a walking program at work - need to try something new vs. same old treadmill stuff. But I've also done a few bouts of very short fasts, and they seem to be terrific at dropping a quick few pounds and dusting off the brain cobwebs, so I think I'm going to pursue that again this year.

[JaneV2.0]

In studies of healthy centenarians, the quality that stands out--aside from good genes--is the ability to withstand the vicissitudes of life with grace and bounce back smiling. Kind of a "What me worry?" attitude. It's good to keep active, too--which is a big one for me, as my idea of exercise is rolling over in bed. But rather than fossilizing in place, I suppose I should force myself to move.

[catherine]

In studies of healthy centenarians, the quality that stands out--aside from good genes--is the ability to withstand the vicissitudes of life with grace and bounce back smiling. Kind of a "What me worry?" attitude.

Yes, I agree--also there have been lots of studies showing that good relationships are good for your health.

I do have a very flexible, laid-back attitude toward life which may have served me well, as I am almost 62 and have no health issues, take no meds (knock wood). As far as my diet, I'm 90% vegetarian, and I do eat relatively healthily--limited processed food, no soda, etc.

But as for the exercise, I'm with Jane on that, too--although I do have a dog who forces me to walk 30 minutes every morning. I do sporadic yoga, and I actually would like to get into running a bit. I'm not to optimistic, though.

[flowerseverywhere]

Yes, good suggestions all. Reminds me of the book "blue zones" about the traits of long living people. I guess I was so shocked that a book deemed to have the best diet was not what I would consider the best diet due to the chemicals. But I guess that is why our health is so bad. People lived without all these chemicals for most of time and now we are bombarded with them and have many health problems

I agree with the walking. I live where it does not snow or ice so walking everywhere I can makes me feel the best.

[JaneV2.0]

I always quote Nir Barzilai and his ongoing study of healthy oldsters: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/24/health/a-conversation-with-nir-barzilai-it-s-not-the-yogurt-looking-for-longevity-genes.html "Not a single one ate yogurt." I would take the book Blue Zones with a grain of (forbidden) salt, as I think it comes with an agenda.

[flowerseverywhere]

Jane, perfect example of what I mean. Interesting link.

[redfox]

A neuroscientist talks about why dieting doesn't usually work. This describes my experience to a T.

http://www.ted.com/talks/sandra_aamodt_why_dieting_doesn_t_usually_work.htm l

[flowerseverywhere]

redfox, you are so right. What we are interested in is how to eat the healthiest we can for,all of our body systems. Not some fad or quick solution

one of my DIL is vegan and looks and feels great. I find I do better with some meat and dairy, lots of fruits and veggies and some nuts, oats and brown rice. we are far from the typical burger and fry American but I want to feel the best I can.

[pinkytoe]

After years of following (and trying) all the various nutrition and supplement suggestions out there, I have decided this will be the year of common sense. I am tired of worrying about what I eat or what vitamin I might be missing so it will be all things in moderation. However, I have cut back on meat (maybe 2x a week now) and coffee. Using less olive oil and more red palm and coconut oil but not too much. I have never really liked sweets so that is not an issue. I bought another pedometer and am doing the 10K steps a day because I love walking. Going to bed earlier every year as I love my eight hours. A dark tasty beer on Friday after work and a few glasses of wine on the weekend with dinner. The only thing that needs work would be more genuine social connections but I am finding that harder than it used to be. A website I like is www.whfoods.com to see nutritional aspects of various foods.

[ApatheticNoMore]

A neuroscientist talks about why dieting doesn't usually work. This describes my experience to a T.

Well I've never been able to stick to calorie counting for the sake of losing weight most of the time even two full weeks, so .... Because the psyche will rebel long long before the body. Because dieting is: your outside appearance is more important than what you feel inside biologically (hungry) or emotionally (in pain and want to emotionally eat). And who wouldn't rebel against that? So my appearance is all that matters, how I appear, not how I feel? Other motivations like health and other motivations have had me stick to various diets for awhile (for instance I was a vegetarian for several years). Because those motivations are actually motivating, wanting to be healthy and live a long life or something. But mostly dieting for weight loss is pretty much entirely about appearance and that's like anti-motivating.

But I think this thread was about health not weight. I don't feel I'm doing very well. I've been sick and eating everything in sight :\. I do take regular walks (but some of the walks are in places polluted by auto exhaust, like around work, so part of me figures that entirely negates any benefit of the walk). I do eat real food not chemical concoctions, but I do tend to eat sweets too much. Oh I seldom drink or anything like that (it's why I might sometimes emotionally eat, it's not like I've got other crutches - even then though it's more I sometimes eat out of boredom). Oh and I use lots and lots of olive oil - the liquid gold :) (local and high quality - read expensive).

[new2oregon]

For anyone looking for healthy living info check out www.HippocratesInstitute.org You can info about growing sprouts and adding living foods to your diet. I am not a vegan but I attend a seminar about juicing at a health food store and found out about this place. They have some very good info.

[try2bfrugal]

The rest of the family is off traveling so I went out to Panda Express last night since I was tired of my own cooking. They had all the calories posted on the menu items. I ordered three low cal entrees and vegetables instead of rice. A lady in line was asking me what in the world I ordered because it was so much food! I think she meant it as a snide comment but the joke was on her because she got way less food for more than twice the calories, plus lots of refined carbs, and probably half the nutrition and fiber as my dinner. It took me a long time to eat all that food last night and I just realized I haven't eaten anything yet today. The veggies were really filling.

I watched the Hungry for Change documentary on Netflix on the evils of processed food that has inspired me to eat a lot more fruit and vegetables lately.

[Rosemary]

Since feeling how much better I could be every single day after starting an allergy elim diet about 3 years ago, my diet has been substantially different than it was before -- and before, it was far better than the SAD already. I feel so much better when I eat just whole foods that when I indulge in other foods the difference always takes me back to what is now my usual diet: tons of veggies and fruits; nuts; legumes; small amounts of non-wheat whole grains (not flour); small amounts of salmon, poultry, and lean meats; and occasional dairy, usually as a seasoning. On this regimen I weigh less than I ever did before and have no trouble maintaining what I think is my best weight. Also, I don't have a need to drink a lot of water because most of the foods I eat are mostly water.

Sugar was always my downfall in the past. In the past year, excessive sugar has made me feel so bad that it really does seem like a poison.

I get some exercise every day but I'm not one to go hang out at the gym on a daily basis. I take zumba once/week, and that's great exercise that is fun for me. I walk the dog 1-2x/day when it's not a million degrees below freezing, and when it is, I use the treadmill in our basement and catch up on reading at the same time. In the summer I get much more activity, all day long - biking and skating w/ DD, gardening, etc. In winter, I try to spend more time doing activities that don't involve sitting, like more cooking and cleaning than is my usual. I think about just moving my body rather than exercise, generally.

Also, I have really embraced my introversion and do what is necessary to maintain my equilibrium. Time on my own, every day, and not overbooking my days in general. As I add my own school schedule and work hours to our family's already busy days, I've had to cut back on other things. But I still make time to get together with friends during DD's school hours at least once/week. We have lunch and sort out all our problems. It's wonderful.

[Lainey]

That sounds like you're in a very balanced place, Rosemary. Interesting post.

[HappyHiker]

Great thread topic....my DH and I kind of make our health/wellness one of our hobbies. We're mostly vegetarians, maybe 90% of the time.

We eat lots of veggies, little processed foods and have recently started eating and cooking with more nuts (walnuts and almonds). My new wok is getting a good work-out. Speaking of which, we go to the gym 4-5 times a week and do cardio and machines. I also have a 1-2x week yoga practice.

As insurance, given our depleted soil, we take a boatload of supplements. Zinc, C, D and B vitamins to boost the immune systems. More...

Given all this, we're pain free and disease free--and medicine free. Sure it's an effort, but as I said, it's our hobby. What's more interesting than good health??

We have our "anything goes" days, too, when we make home-made pizza and scarf down a bunch of chocolate. Or when a hamburger calls our name. We're not rigid about this. Gotta have some latitude. It prevents binges.

[pinkytoe]

One of the things that really bothers me right now is sudden pain in my knee and makes me think that all the healthy living in the world isn't going to stop deterioration of joints as we age. As much as I love walking, I can't even fathom being this handicapped by pain.

[Gardenarian]

Pinkytoe - take a look at compression knee sleeves - they can help tremendoulsy.

I live with a lot of pain, and you pretty much get used to anything - the trick is to keep functioning.

I have been insulated from the world for the past month and quite liking it. Going out to Trader Joe's was pretty harsh!
I'm one of those people who just do not do well with overstimulation - many people, noises, interactions, tasks. I'm feeling much more whole and at one with myself, more creative, and deeply healthy (despite my broken foot) than I have in many years.

I'm planning on consciously limiting the amount of stimulation in my life, which I can clearly see causes me so much stress. Examples are working the slower shifts at the library (at least my job is relatively low key), avoiding traffic and ugly freeways, saying no to big get-togethers, and generally staying home and allowing myself to be the natural hermit I am. I have been enjoying planning some backpacking trips (solo or with my dd) as ways to generally lower static in my life in the future. And of course cultivating mindfulness helps - but it's a lot easier in a forest than a mall.

I could try to find ways to harden myself, but that is kind of what I've been doing for the past 50-odd years and it's not happening. I'd rather indulge myself for once and just be who I am. This world gives few rewards to those who live small, quiet lives - it will have to be it's own reward.

[Rosemary]

This world gives few rewards to those who live small, quiet lives - it will have to be it's own reward.

...and I think it does provide its own rewards, in awareness about self, others, life in general... those bombarded by constant stimulation certainly must either have a hard time hearing those things or be consciously or subconsciously avoiding the messages.

Did the introverts here read Quiet by Susan Cain? If not, I highly recommend it.

[cdttmm]

Did the introverts here read Quiet by Susan Cain? If not, I highly recommend it.

+1

[pinkytoe]

I'd rather indulge myself for once and just be who I am. This world gives few rewards to those who live small, quiet lives - it will have to be it's own reward.
This realization of finally acepting who we are is one of the joys of getting older. Too bad we spend so much of our younger lives not getting that.

[catherine]

This realization of finally acepting who we are is one of the joys of getting older. Too bad we spend so much of our younger lives not getting that.

Oh, wow, +1. I say that all the time to DH. I've gone from Mom/Dad-pleaser, to Nun-pleaser, to Authority-pleaser, to all around people-pleaser, and I'm finally getting to be a "me-pleaser." It is just awesome.

Just yesterday, DH and I were commenting on DS and DDIL, who are now living with us for a short time. As some of you know, I barely know DDIL, but am quickly getting to know her (as someone once said, you don't really know a person until you live with them). Well, what I know about DDIL is her standards of cleanliness FAR exceed mine. She washes window curtains weekly, she had DS scrubbing the bathroom ceiling with bleach, she pets the dog once and then runs to the sink to wash her hands.

I consider myself to be about a 6 out of 10 in the cleaning department; she's off the charts. So DH said to me, "I wonder what she thinks about us" (meaning our somewhat more "relaxed" cleaning schedule), and I could honestly say to him, "You know what? I don't care," and I just felt freedom flying around my head like a bunch of homing pigeons released from a cage.

[flowerseverywhere]

So many great thoughts and suggestions. Thank you all for chiming in.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I have been insulated from the world for the past month and quite liking it. Going out to Trader Joe's was pretty harsh!

go during off hours, now obviously my job doesn't allow me to go at 3pm in the afternoon and yours probably doesn't either but I can tell you what off hours are: in the mornings before work (yea I start work a bit late so does half the office). Whereas the weekends are pretty crazy. And TJs tries to be a fairly amusing place to shop too, and tries to adequately staff their checkout, and it still gets hectic on weekends. Near closing time is also pretty peaceful, so after 8pm or so.

I can choose when to go to trader joe's (ok so if I go before work I have to put it in a fridge after, I don't usually buy a lot there, but I've used the office fridge temporarily or stop at home), the freeway and work stress is no so avoidable if I want to have an income. And I need alone time too, unfortunately being all alone isn't actually good for me either, and time is always tight, to schedule stuff and get the needed downtime, there aren't enough hours in a day.

[HappyHiker]

Gardenarian and other lovers of solitude..

Yes, we must do what makes us content, nourishes our being, gives us peace to be our healthiest...

I pass on this wonderful quote from Satchel Paige, the baseball legend:

"Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society— the social ramble ain't restful."