So here is my best shot at neatly re- solving your health and fitness problems as you venture through midlife .

PROBLEM #1- WE START LOSING MUSCLE AND GAINING FAT AS WE AGE.

Starting in your late 40’s YOUR METABOLISM BEGINS A MAJOR SLOWDOWN. The metabolic rate of your youth that allowed you to burn through indulgences of cheeseburgers and pizza is dropping by one persent every four years. Even if the scale doesn’t move your ratio of fat to muscle is shifting. It sounds depressing, but you can slow down the process and even reverse it.

SOLUTION – Strength train three times a week  and build as much muscle as you possibly can, eat a high protein high fiber diet and stay as active as possible- do anything but sit !  It takes just 30 minutes a day and well worth the investment.

PROBLEM #2  YOUR JOINTS ACHE and certain movements give you pain. Unfortunately your joints are wearing out and you need to be kind to them so you can maximize their lifespan. Arthritis might be setting in and things that were once easy now become a chore.

SOLUTION- Although there is really no cure for this yet (there are some promising new treatments on the horizon though) , you can start by taking fish oil capsules and eating a low sugar less inflammation causing diet. Take 3 -1000 MG capsules of fish oil capsules  daily. Try the WAL MART brand- it’s what they recommend at the Duke university weight management program. Also eat 3 six ounces servings of cold water fish weekly – salmon , sardines, tuna, herring, halibut and mackerel. Be sensible with the weight you lift and go for lighter weights and higher reps.

PROBLEM #3  LOWER  SEX DRIVE

Things down under aren’t what they used to be. Besides the little blue pills, there are some natural ways to boost that puppy dog tail in your lap out of it’s slumber.

SOLUTION-  Munch on a handful of either walnuts or almonds every day. Eating healthy fats is crucial for higher testosterone levels. Monounsaturated fats from nuts , olives and avocadoes are libido boosting wonder foods. Nuts are a great source of arginine which enhances blood flow through the body and especially below the belt. Aerobic exercise will also enhance your performance ability and give you more energy for this all time favorite activity.

PROBLEM #4  DINING OUT AND GROWING OUT OF YOUR PANTS is a problem especially if you have business obligations, don’t enjoy cooking or love the social perks of dining out with friends and family.

SOLUTION – TO MAINTAIN YOU FAT LOSS  WHEN EATING OUT FOLLOW THESE STRATEGIES:

ORDER GRILLED MEATS – sauce on the side. DOUBLE YOUR VEGETABLES AND PASS ON THE STARCH ( NO POTATOES OR ROLLS) GET SALAD DRESSING ON THE SIDE. MAKE A SALAD AND APPETIZER A MEAL, SHARE A DESSERT AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP AND ASK WHAT IS IN THE  DISH YOU ARE ORDERING.

There you have it. Some quick neat solutions to your most pressing problems. It’s simpler than you thought. Now it’s your turn to get out there and take action. Based on what you know from reading this you have no excuses and no reason to complain about getting older!

15 Years Ago I Came Face To Face With Death

I was diagnosed with a potentially fatal immune disease – and at the time there were no drugs to cure it. I wasn’t expecting a 40th birthday. I was shocked and dazed, despite all the years I had immersed myself in self help psychological counseling and spirituality, nothing prepared me for that kind of trauma.

Miraculously within a few weeks my perspective and outlook changed dramatically. Life was a rare and precious thing to be celebrated and enjoyed everyday. The disease was a gift that helped to change my perspective about life.

Right Before All This Happened I Was Going Through A Rough Time

I had to close my catering business, I was $44,000 in debt, my partner had passed away, I had no clear career path and was driving around the city as a courier. I was stress eating and gaining weight as well as partying and drinking to excess. I was diagnosed with depression, a family trait that I wasn’t aware of at the time.

I Changed My Mind About A Lot Of Things

I challenged old thinking patterns and made decisions based on “now or never.” I grabbed at every opportunity to try new things, travel and meet new people. I No longer gave into depression and moods that plagued me before. I stopped worrying and developed an attitude of optimism in all situations. I adknowledged fear but didn’t invite it in.

For The First Time In My Life I Had Washboard Abs

I didn’t let food cravings, people or situations rule my diet. I just let go of the stories, the complaints about my life and focused on enjoying myself and making the best of it. I even did three bodybuilding shows, ran a marathon and biked like a maniac. I started a personal training business, a massage practice and eventually went on to become one of the top 100 trainers in America with appearances on TV and print media.

As we travel through the middle passage of life into our 50’s and 60’s we start to question what we’ve done so far and what we’ll do with the precious time we have left.

Ask Yourself:

Is What I Am Going To Do Next Something That Will Allow Me To Live Life To The Max Or Will I Regret Not Having Tried?

According to Izzo most people don’t fear death as much as they do regret.

This Applies To Changing Your Body

If you are on the fat loss journey, maintaining weight, trying to develop a new exercise habit or striving to change old habits, write this down as your “Prime Directive.”

Is What I Am About To Do, Or Not Do (As In Blowing Off Your Morning Exercise) Going To Move Me Ahead Or Leave Me With Regret?

Here are a few key points from the book to motivate you:

1. Move towards what you want rather than away from what you fear.
2. The scariest thing is not death but the words “I Wish I Had”
3. Take risks- No one is guaranteed success, but mistakes and failures turn out to be the greatest moments of learning
4. You guarantee failure if you don’t try at all. Playing it safe moves you away from your truest self.
5. Picture yourself in a rocking chair 30 years from now – what will you be saying about your life during your 40’s 50’s and 60’s?

I am writing this not to be morbid or scare you, but as a wake up call to action. If you have tried to lose weight, be healthier or make changes in the past, don’t be afraid to give it one more shot. Jim Hart’s motto – You’re Never Too Late, You’re Never Too Old To Be The Best You Can Be! Don’t go it alone! If you need guidance contact me or get one of the programs I have to support your efforts. What are you waiting for? Live the dream now – have no regrets! The party is just beginning.

I plugged in and listened. The story was about the “Blue Zones” small geographic pockets inhabited by the world’s longest lived populations. Dan Buettner launched the Blue Zones Quests in 2005 to study and research these rare regions and to share what they can tell us about living longer and healthier lives.

OK, So The Fountain Of Youth Is A Fantasy

But how about a more practical and predictable reality. Would you like to add ten healthier and more fulfilling years to your life? Of course! This I learned is what the Blue Zones Quest is all about.

So Far Buettner And His Team Have Explored Two Blue Z One Regions

These are Okinawa, Japan and the Nicoya peninsula in Costa rica. Buettner has also written about two other Blue zones Sardinia Italy and Loma Linda California. In each of these regions people reach age 100 at rates significantly higher than the rest of us and on average live longer healthier lives. They also suffer from about one fifth of the heart disease and cancer found in America.

Lifestyle Habits Play A Greater Role Than Genetics

Diet, exercise, spiritual values even mental attitude are important determining factors. Based on Blue Zones research, nine key factors can help produce the same results for many of us.

1. Stop eating when you are 80% full
2. Eat more veggies, fresh fruit , less protein and fewer processed foods
3. Drink red wine in moderation
4. Have a sense of purpose in life
5. Maintain a spiritual or religious belief system
6. Work less, slow down and take vacations
7. Make physical movement a vital part of each day
8. Create a healthy social network
9. Make family a priority

So there is your formula for a better and healthier life. Follow the quest on www.bluezones.com

Nicoya brought by alex-s