Fit on Father's Day

     I love my children and my stepson and wish nothing but the best for them and for their families in this life.

     As they know, I have always been big on exercise, flexibility, self-esteem and being fit. Fit enough to walk to the store, to walk around on vacation, to enjoy every part of your life.  From my time in the military until this very day, I have tried to run, stretch, and remain active so that into my "golden years" I could continue to tie my own shoes, walk up and down my steps, or just walk around Nay Aug to enjoy the sunshine and the fresh air.  

       Making better day to day choices when you are eating, eating more fruit and vegetables and skipping the sugar will help you to live a longer, healthier life. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy eating and I enjoy going out and having dinner and a beer.  It's what makes life worth living.  You have to be fit enough to do this though.  You have to be able to walk around on vacation, to walk the boardwalk, walk around a scenic overlook or park, go whitewater rafting, etc.  Whatever makes you happy.  I am happy seeing that my children are happy, living their lives and enjoying their families on this Father's Day and every day.

Keep active for your children and to enjoy their children...

Enjoying Your Long Weekend

 

         This is really my motto.  You have to be fit enough to have fun in your life.  To enjoy going for a walk, going on vacation, to enjoy living.   This does not require a lot of work, just a little day to day thinking and moving.  If you make healthier choices during the week while you are eating, you can cheat a little on the weekend when you are out.  If you walk a little bit outside or on the treadmill, you don't have to worry so much about that beer and hamburger you are going to have this weekend at the family cookout.  

        On Memorial Day, we think about those that have gone before us and we think about the time we have spent with them.  We think about family picnics, going to baseball games, walking around the park, going to fairs and festivals, etc.  We don't think about sitting on the couch and watching TV.  What are people going to remember about you?  Will your legacy be that you had trouble doing things, moving and going places?  Or will it be that person really did what they wanted to do and enjoyed their life?  I am aiming for the last one.  

If you are not fit enough to enjoy your life you need to make a change...

      

Live Life

     Life is meant to be lived.  To get out there and eat, drink, laugh and love.  Going to festivals and fairs, walking around new cities and going to carnivals and picnics are some of the things my wife and I like to do.  However, you have to be fit enough to walk around them and enjoy them.  Every day, you need to go out for a walk, to keep in some kind of shape and to keep moving.  It's okay to eat a potato pancake or some ice cream, if you balance out the rest of the week by eating sensibly and more balanced.  During the week, eat three meals and include fruits, vegetables and nuts.  On the weekend, you can have a beer, or do more fun things.  You earned it, right?


Be in good enough shape to have fun.

Time To Get Fresh

     

     This picture may seem odd. It is most certainly a different combination of ingredients. I use these ingredients weekly as a base for making my "bean crap" as my wife calls it. I combine the beans, the Ro-Tel tomatoes and peppers, the onions, the olives, etc. I end up with a bowl of tasty beans that I eat as part of my lunch or dinner every day.
     Beans are good for your metabolism and blood sugar. The reason for this is that the soluble fiber in beans provides a long lasting source of energy, thanks to the complex carbohydrates and proteins available for your body to use. Since these macronutrients take longer for your body to break down, blood sugar levels remain stabilized. 
      I was just reading an article about food that looks like a specific body part being good for that body part.  They went on to say that walnuts are good for the brain, the inside of a carrot looks like an eye, celery stalks look like bones on x-ray, sweet potatoes look like your  pancreas, etc.  While interesting, it just reiterates something we already know.  Fruits and vegetables are good for you.  The more of them you eat, the fuller and the better you will feel.  Since we seem to have gone right past Spring into Summer, you should be thinking about watermelon and other melons, sweet corn, fresh salads and other produce.  My wife can't wait for the Farmer's Market to open because she absolutely loves supporting the local growers and getting the freshest selections. 
     Also, a reminder, to get up and go outside.  Take a walk, pull some weeds, sweep the sidewalks...whatever makes you move.  Don't forget the sunscreen.




Eat your fruits and vegetables...

Keep On Trying...

     Sometimes, it is not easy to get out of bed and put one foot in front of the other.  My hip is stiff and my back may be aching.  This would come from years of being in the army, teaching karate, running, etc.
      One way that I have found to overcome some of this aching is to remain flexible.  Warming up by walking before running on the treadmill is a good idea.  Stretching your muscles by touching your toes, doing heal lifts, pulling your knees into your chest and other exercises that you are comfortable with will help also.  I have a yoga mat that I use after running to stretch.  I also have hand weights that I use to work out my arms and my shoulders.
      I remember all of the difficult times during my journey, but they have only taught me valuable lessons and made me stronger. I try to appreciate every day of the journey, and want to remain healthy and flexible enough to enjoy it. By walking, running, stretching, and eating more mindfully I hope to make my "golden years" a little better.  Do what you can to make your days better also.

Life is a short journey...so stay strong and enjoy it.

How Old Are You?

     That is an interesting question.  If you actually did not know your age, or age was not measured in years, how old would you be?  The answer to that question would most likely be...how old do you feel?
     What is your real age? I have met relatively young people who can't walk a mile without developing shortness of breath or who don't move without complaining of an ache or a pain.  I watch them eat huge hamburgers served between two Krispy Kreme doughnuts and realize that they think they have a lifetime to become healthier.  I noticed a lot of people who are only in their 20's... not eating any vegetables.  Or liking any vegetables.  They think that having a smoothie in the morning will give them the fruit and calcium they need for a day.  Everyone seems to be looking for the fast fix, the get healthy quick bars and the pyramid scheme products to get their daily vitamins, proteins and minerals.  While spending a small fortune doing it.
       I am not saying that smoothies, health drinks, "health products" and power bars are not always good for you.  I would caution you, however, to really read the labels for artificial ingredients, sugar, salt and preservative content.  If you make your own smoothie from natural  yogurt and fruit...that is a good thing!  If you buy a smoothie loaded with sugar and additives, that is not.
      I guess I'm saying that for less money,  you can become healthier and get more nutrition naturally.  If you eat three different vegetables a day and grab an apple or a pear and take a regular, cheap multivitamin in the morning you will feel better, feel fuller and reap the same benefits.  You need to learn to maintain the healthy eating, the healthy feeling and the energy.  When you stop taking the power shake and the meal replacement bar...what will you have left?
      Of course, I'm also going to remind you that taking a walk is great thing now that the weather is getting nicer.  Eating better and moving more are most definitely the keys to longevity in life.  Also, as my wife's Aunt who lived to be 90 would say, have a beer.  There is a lot of grain in beer.  Smart woman.

You are as young as you feel...
     

That's Alotta Colada

     I am drinking a large "Alotta Colada" to celebrate the first day of Spring.  I felt it was the least I could do after the long, cold Winter.  With all of the blogging I do about being active and doing good things for yourself, you may think it's odd that I am drinking this sugar-filled, frozen drink.  It's not that odd at all, really.  I always tell you to have fun in your life and to do everything in moderation.  If you want a drink, have it.
Tomorrow, you can walk an extra block or two or you can do an extra ten minutes on the treadmill.
     My wife blogs about being grateful.  Grateful for the time she has with me(of course she is...LOL), and for time spent with family and friends.
I am always concerned about the quality of that life, the way you spend it, how you feel when you go through your day, if you can get up and down with ease or if you can walk and enjoy your vacations or your "down-time".  If you aim at keeping flexible, at moving with a little more ease, at eating better and making better choices in your daily life, you will maintain a better quality of life.  You have to have fun though.  Life is very short and not doing things that you love, drinking things that you love, or eating things that you love will just make you unhappy.  Everything in moderation...and just keep moving.


Live your life and enjoy it...