I often get ideas for blog posts while riding my bicycle and today was no exception. While I got in 15 miles this morning in chilly (28F) Chicago, I was thinking about how happy and lucky I am to be enjoying such good health on my 75th birthday. I can honestly say that although retired for 15 years, I am healthier and happier than I was 20 years ago when I was in the midst of an active and exciting career.
A friend of mine decorated this shot of me and Gabi last year for my birthday.
One of the main reasons I feel like I have things so together is this blog. I started writing it in March of 2010 with a partner who has since left for other pursuits. From the beginning, I discovered a focus. At first it was simply trying to keep my weight down. I learned portion control and serving size. This Italian guy was surprised to learn that a “serving” of pasta was not a 10 inch plate heaped with spaghetti noodles smothered in tomato sauce. No, a serving of pasta is about the size of a baseball. Incredibly, that was a revelation to me. But I learned and began to reduce my portions accordingly. I am not going to recount all the lessons I learned in the past nearly five years, but if you want to get control of your weight, check out my Page – How to Lose Weight – and Keep it Off.
Regular readers know that the blog now covers a far broader scope than just losing weight. That is a simple problem easily dealt with once you put your mind to it. I have expanded the purview to include the understanding that healthy eating is healthy aging. And, if you do it right, you can live a long, healthy and happy life with your mental faculties intact the whole way. I have both Alzheimer’s and dementia in my family, so my brain continuing to work is something I am very concerned about. I am proud to say that I have one of the few blogs that ties exercise to a healthy brain. Check out my Page – Important Facts About Your Brain – and Exercise to learn more.
I’m sorry if the following paragraph is going to sound like bragging; that is not my intention. I just want to document that I not only talk the talk, but I walk the walk. My resting heart rate is under 50. My cholesterol under 200; the HDL (the good cholesterol) is around 85. I am 5 feet 9-1/2 inches tall (vs 5 feet 11 inches 10 years ago). I weigh just under 155 pounds and have a 32 inch waist. That is about the same as when I was a senior in high school in 1957. At present I take no medication except Flomax for my prostate.
I wanted to share this information with you because so many people I run into who are in their late 50’s and 60’s seem to be giving up on their health and conditioning. They act like it’s over. The phrase ‘I’m gettin’ old’ bubbles out of their mouths regularly. A lot of the posts I write for this blog are meant to demonstrate that by focusing on your eating and making sure you get adequate exercise you can continue to enjoy yourself for many more years.
It’s up to you now. I have to go get ready. My girlfriend is taking me out for a fancy dinner tonight.
I wish you all good luck!
Tony
Postscript: Since I mentioned my birthday dinner, I thought I would share the following with you. Here is a link for the restaurant – 16 at Trump Tower. This may have been the first Michelin graded restaurant I ever dined in.
Below is a shot of the first course, Laugoustine in its shell with Seville Orange, pine nuts, Avocado and Chorizo. It tasted as beautiful as it looks.
Life is good.
This was the cheese cart at the end.
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Wellness Secrets of a SuperAger 