The Secret to a Longer, Healthier Life

by | May 1, 2023 | Prevention

In keeping with the theme of Believing that Good Health is Possible, this month I wanted to share a story of a couple that I met on a nature walk I had at the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge in Maine this week.  I often go there when I am needing a space to connect with Nature and rejuvenate my spirit!  As I was walking along, I met a man and his wife who were taking the same walk along the trails with their binoculars so they could spot some favorite birds of the season.   As we got chatting, the husband said that he had just celebrated his Birthday and he wanted to know if I could guess his age?  As you look at the picture, take a guess yourself!!  He told me that he and his wife walk 4 miles a day-2 miles in the morning and 2 miles in the evening.  He does 250 push-ups a day (breaking it up into 50 pushups five times a day!) and 100+ sit ups.  His mind was really sharp and he spoke quite well.  I guessed he may have been 75!   He then told me he was 90 years old! I was shocked, what was the secret to his good health?  He told me 2 things:

  1. Nutrition, he ate a Mediterranean/DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet with fresh vegetables and fruits, fish, legumes, nuts, healthy olive oil and he told me.
  2. Exercise!

What struck me is that this is so very, very simple!   Many researchers have found that one of the healthiest diets in the world is a Mediterranean Diet -Real Foods that you can pronounce (!!).  It consists primarily of Fresh Veggies and Fruits, grains, legumes/ beans, olive oil, fish, herbs and spices and nuts.  For those who eat meat, choose lean meats like chicken and turkey.  For more info on a Mediterranean Diet check out here. The DASH Diet helps to reduce the chance of getting High Blood Pressure. For more info on the DASH Diet, click here!

Research has also found that 20-30 minutes of Exercise per day that pumps up your Heart Rate is also beneficial for life long health!  Team sports in adolescence has been found to reduce the risk of cancer throughout life and continuing with some aerobic exercise reduces morbidity and mortality.  Getting exercise can be as simple as getting a good power walk out in nature!!

Follow this man’s advice and you will be giving yourself and your kids the gift of a better chance of a Longer, Healthier and Happier Life!!  The First Step is BELIEVING THAT YOUR GOOD HEALTH AND THE LIFELONG HEALTH OF YOUR KIDS IS POSSIBLE!  You can check out other good health ideas or research tips on my Facebook Page here.

Here is to Your Good, Better, Best Life Through W.E.L.L.N.E.S.S.   W.orking E.very L.iving day towards L.ove N.utrition E.xercise S.erenity and S.pirituality.