Aging, Happens To the Best of Us

     This year I will be 60 years old!  WHAT?  How did that happen?  I never thought in a million years that I would be 60!  I thought I would be young forever!  Well..... much to my chagrin it's happening.  I have to dye my hair about every 6 weeks, I have really come to enjoy relaxing more, and I am having a much harder time losing weight.  I love sweets, and they go straight to my hips.  I have also noticed that I'm starting to look like my mother when she was old!  LOL  Well at least that's what I see in the mirror.  Others have told me that I don't look as old as 60.  How old are you supposed to look at 60? 

     Aging is a natural part of life.  It's inevitable.  We can't live on what ifs.  What if I were 30 again I would do it so differently, what if I were in high school again, I would have studied harder.  This kind of attitude gets us nowhere.  We have to take life by the horns and dig in to where we are now and if we need to make changes, then do it!

     I have noticed one thing, and that is by eating a plant based diet I have more energy.  I work a 12 hour shift 3 days a week at work and by the time I get home I'm a bit tired, but I still have energy to do things, although I know how important sleep is, so I try to relax and get the rest that I need for the next 12 hour shift.  I wonder how long I will be able to keep up this pace.

     I work in a rehab hospital, and we have 38 patients that have a myriad of health conditions and most of our patients are elderly.  We do have a sprinkling of young every now and again, but mostly elderly.  Most of our patients have inflammatory issues such as arthritis, chest pain, abdominal pains, rashes or fatigue.  All causes of inflammation.  What causes inflammation?  Animal products.  Here is a video my doctor Greger.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_MaHa2NDY

     I'm positive because I don't get sick more often, and my my knees aren't worse is because I eat a plant based diet.  I keep my inflammation to a minimum by eating this way.  Now I'm not by any means perfect.  I do fall off the wagon from time to time, not with animal products, but sweets are my nemesis.  I have noticed that my body hurts more when I do eat sweets.  Working on ditching the sugar. 

     How do we stay "young"?  We can't, but we can do things that help us age more gracefully.
I love this video by Dr. Ellsworth Wareham.  He didn't retire from being a surgeon until he was 95!!!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX58PyQwrcI&t=673s  Lots of great advice from a man who has been there done that.  Knowledge is power, and the more we learn about how to care for our bodies the better off we will be.  It's my hope that I will see my grand children get married.  I was married as some would considered late.  (27).  So having my first 2 grands didn't come until recently, I have a ways to go until I see them married.  At any rate, my goal is to take care of myself so that I will age gracefully, and see wonderful things to come in my children's lives and grand children's lives.

5 comments:

P L Franceschine said...

Hi Naomi, I have started a new way of eating. It is called Bright Line Eating and I am on Day 74. I have released 26 pounds over the last 74 days and have totally eliminated sugar and flour from my diet. I am working on eliminating meats as well, that will be a gradual process for me. I know I will get there. A lot of the people in the group are WFPB eaters. I feel wonderful and in control of my eating. I am in ONEderland again which is a place I haven't been in quite a few years. I am one-third of the way to my goal and I hope to be there by the end of this year. My body doesn't hurt as much, I move more freely, I am sleeping better, and I just feel great. I am feeling Happier, Thinner and Free from the chains of addictive eating. I know as I continue to eat this way I will continue to feel great as I continue to age. I will be 65 this year and am looking forward to it. I wish you a great day as you continue on your journey. Your blog has been an inspiration for me as I have worked at getting my addictive eating in control. You always inspire me to be better.

naomi3 said...

Pat!

I'm so happy for you! I have looked a little at Bright Line Eating. I just can't pay for anything right now. Hubby is out of work. As soon as he doesn't I'm thinking of following Chef AJ. She is a plant based chef. Meat is so easy to give up! Watch H.O.P.E. on youtube. It will change your mind about meat. Sugar is soooo hard for me.

I can't believe you will be 65! What? You look younger than me!

Hugs!
Naomi

naomi3 said...

What a nice post, a good reminder of one of the important reasons WHY we chose this WOE and how much GOOD it does for us - physically and spiritually!! Thanks for helping us keep on track - and you CAN ditch the sugar, promise!!

naomi3 said...

Thank you so much for following me, and for the nice comment! Have you given up sugar? I'm on day 4, and headaches abound.

Naomi

naomi3 said...

From one of my readers

Yes, I stopped processed sugar a couple years ago - I use dates, honey, stevia (SweetLeaf is my preference), pure maple syrup, for sweetening purposes when needed. I sympathize with the headaches, not fun. Stay WELL-hydrated, and use fruits to fight the sugar-bug! One of my fav "treats" is a nice soft Medjool date stuffed with a couple of walnuts! Better than any candy bar!!! Good luck, hang in there!! It CAN BE DONE! My daughter kicked sugar to the curb over 6 years ago, and a good friend is on year 5 now!