Thursday, May 8, 2014

My Quest for More Energy and Better Health. . . .

This You Tube video was recommended by my dietitian.  The premise seems so simple, can you do something for 30 minutes out of your 24 hour day that can change your health in a profound way?

Here in the United States, we are a nation of "sitters"--not baby-sitters, although I always thought that the word seemed odd, do we sit on the babies?  (just a little aside).  We sit too much, at home and at work and of course, to and from work.

My biggest complaint is fatigue and of course if you are tired all the time and need naps in the afternoon, it's hard to be more active and move more.  Physical problems can prevent being enthusiastic about walking very far.  I have slowed down this past year, and after undergoing every test, no answer can be found.  But I am not giving up!  I have too much to do, places to go, people to see, and just more of life to experience.  So, after seeing and hearing this video, I will be more disciplined about moving more.  The statistics that Dr. Evans cites are thought-provoking.  Let me know what you think. 


The You Tube link is: 23 1/2 hours Dr. Mike Evans

8 comments:

  1. From my years in the 1950s to now, eating habits have moved from home prepared meals to fast food and pizza. Activity levels have changed from biking to video games. Adults used to set up lawn chairs and visit with neighbors. Times change. Habits change.

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  2. Interesting and so true. Luckily we don't eat prepared food or pizza etc. I would say 98% of our food is prepared by us. I actually have a couple of stents in my femoral artery as have vascular problems. However, I have lost 38 lbs in the last 15 months or so and we basically bowl twice a week. I don't watch TV much but of course I am on this thing a lot which is just as bad really.

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  3. Hi Susan and Jo: I think that in many ways, some of us (ahem) older ones are lucky we never became addicted to TV. What is sad is so many obese teens. And those folks who live in Canada and the UK are fortunate as their cities were built to we walked in. I guess NY comes close as a great walking city. Here in Colorado we have lots of walking trails, but grocery stores, museums, etc. are driven to, not walked to. We have large malls to which we drive. So, what happens when ones driving ability is not perfect anymore? My husband and I are at the edge of that. Jo, with your bowling and what I read is an active life-style, you are doing the right thing. Computer time can be too sedentary :(

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    1. Yeah, but I do spend a lot of time on the computer. Probably way too much.

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  4. Hi Natasha. It was so refreshing to watch that short video and not have someone try to sell you something at the end of it! I run a Sunday morning walking group that has become so successful that we almost have too many people now. I have always felt that for those who would be unlikely to join a gym, walking is the best exercise and it's so easy to get started.
    By the way, you come across as someone with boundless energy - I am sure you do mentally at least!
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. Hi Bazza: Here in Denver there are neighborhood walking groups in established neighborhoods--tree lined streets, older homes and all ages. Not in Castle Pines where I live. There is a dividing line between the younger, wealthier families and the retired, older folks, a subtle ageism, so no real walking in groups or much mixing, sadly. Problem for me here is--hills and the altitude--6200 feet. But I do have access to a great gym where I do better on a treadmill, than the hills outside. I often wish I lived in a real neighborhood. Thank yoy for the boundless energy comment--my physical energy does not keep up with my thinking.

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  5. Thank you for posting this - very succinct. I spend way too much time sitting - and have been really conscious of it this past while … I have a friend who is badly disabled as a result of polio as a child … She would put me to shame - she wears a pedometer all the time and never has a day where she does less than 3500 steps, even needing two walking sticks or a walking frame. And a lot of the time she ups that to 6500 steps a day. I'm totally able bodied and have to work at getting my normal daily step count up to 1500! Terrible… So I"m closing this thing down now and going out for a walk!!!
    Fil
    Fil's Place - Old Songs and Memories
    PS I'm coming to you via Pempi's Place

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  6. Hi Nat - yes .. this is just what the doctor ordered ... yesterday he said much less alcohol, de-caff coffee or tea, and much more exercise ... so I'm going to do it .. and lose the weight, limit the vino .. I hate decaff .. so I'll try some herbal teas and have one cup of coffee ... and see how we go .. I'm not that overweight thankfully .. but a bad hip is making life somewhat difficult. I need to include his half hour into exercising and stretching .. and then add in more for the walking ... if it doesn't come down in torrents!

    The video gave some valuable advice .. I'd still add eat less, don't eat processed food, - eating less should be ok, and I don't do processed anyway ... and yes 6,200 feet is high .. Johannesburg is 5,600' and that 'burnt' ... I'm glad to be at sea level now ...

    Good luck with gathering your energy .. cheers Hilary

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