My first Blog Post

     Welcome to my Non-Blog, Blog!  I promise to not start blogging to you about random stuff I am doing or thinking because you have more to do than care about ridiculous stuff.  However, I am such a nerd about reading and researching anything health related, that I just love to share it with anyone who will care to listen. I try to educate the male masses in my home, but they just roll their eyes, even if I try to share tips from some baseball or football star athlete.  So, as we get back into Fall and all of the routine that comes with this time of year, we all are thinking about getting back to exercise, eating healthier and getting out of "summer mode".  As I am all about reigning in our Summer habits, an old issue of one of my favorite magazines, "Outside" has a great article highlighting three easy ways to "outrun the effects of aging".  As I come from a pretty poor gene pool, I work extra hard to fight those bad genes and am convinced that my lifestyle can beat any "born with" odds.  I truly believe, and this article supports my theory, that lifestyle choices we make right now determine not only how quickly we age but how long we will live and, most importantly, the quality of our life. 
    Although there is no avoiding aging altogether, who doesn't want to develop habits to prolong its effects?  Here are 3 habits we can all do that may help us be around to see just what kind of  parents AND GRANDPARENTS our kids will be!
1.  CUT CALORIES - The evidence is stong that animals and primates who ate less lived longer than those that did not.  And it's just not keeping the weight off - "even mice bred to stay fat, when given low-calorie diets, lived longer than obese mice eating normally".  So, that simply means watch the portions.  We DON'T need to supersize a meal!  We don't need that third slice of pizza or second helping!
2.  BOOST ANTIOXIDANTS - Antioxidants "mop up the free radicals" that cause age-advancing cellular damage.  Apparently, eating antioxidant rich foods (apples, berries, good veggies) helps preserve our ability to function late in life. So, get to the farmers market!  Or if you live in Buckhead like me, go to Lucy's Market and get some fresh veggies!
3.  BE POSITIVE - This is so great . . . A recent study found clear and compelling evidence that people who have a feeling of well-being in their life and who are optimistic, have harmonious relationships and minimal stress, outlive those who are anxious, stressed out or unable to enjoy themselves.  In a nutshell,  SMILE!  Be happy!  We can always find something, even in a really bad day, to smile about.  The glass truly is half full!!
Read "Outside" magazine, June 2011

These are good tips, huh?  Let's see what we can do with them!
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