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I WOKE UP THIS morning at 4:15 a.m. I don’t need an alarm clock. My internal clock makes sure I’m up at that time.
I hopped out of bed and did a quick shave with my electric razor. I put on my running shorts, shoes and T-shirt. I headed down to the kitchen. I ate half a toasted organic sprouted-wheat muffin with a thin layer of peanut butter and a small portion of a banana.
I felt pretty good this morning, so I decided to run rather than walk my three-mile loop. When I returned, I had an egg white omelette with mushrooms on a whole wheat tortilla. I also had nonfat plain yogurt with fruit.
After breakfast, I brushed my teeth with my nondominant hand. Such activities, I believe, are good for my brain. My wife asked me to pick up tuna fish and kidney beans at the store. I looked at the label on the tuna fish to make sure the only other ingredient was water. I also made sure the kidney beans had no sodium.
This afternoon, I did some strength exercises in the garage with a few weights and resistance bands. For dinner, we had fish with vegetables. Afterwards, my wife and I went for a walk.
At 8 p.m., I took my cholesterol pill. Since it’s thought your cholesterol production is highest at night, I felt it was a good time to take it. I read a little and then called it a day.
That’s my daily routine. As I grow older, I become more health conscious. I try to eat a healthy diet and stay active. No, I’m not afraid of dying. I’m also not trying to live a longer life. What I’m trying to do, at age 71, is stay independent. The best way to do that is to maintain my mobility and mental capacity.
I want to continue to live in my house that has 18 steps leading to our bedroom upstairs. I don’t want to live in an assisted living or retirement community. I like where I live. I want to stay here until the end. The only other person I want to live with is my wife. I also don’t want to be a burden to her.
When I was younger, my goal was to be financially independent. Today, I realize that isn’t enough if you want to live life on your own terms in your later years. For that, you also need your health.
Dennis… I could not echo your sentiments more at this time in my life. I want to remain mobile and my trips to the gym have helped me to maintain a decent weight and fluidity in my joints. I have friends that have had major things happen and lose their independence. It’s scary as I am in the final quarter of my life. I hope that anyone reading your post will see that a careful diet and daily exercise will prolong your independent state. Best of luck and good health to you.
When I was 64, I published a book about reversing the aging process “naturally”; no chemicals, no invasive procedures.
Now, in my 77th year, like you, my independence is the motivation behind taking excellent care (mind, body, spirit) of myself.
What we feed the body is paramount. Organic, clean food (as in no additives) is best.
For thirty years I’ve been drinking highly alkaline water via my water ionizer machine.
Forty+ years lifting weights has enhanced my strength and balance.
Qigong focuses on breathing, yoga on stretching. Walking and swimming round out my cardio.
I take no pharma. No man-made chemicals allowed in/on my body. When my cholesterol ticks up, rather than statins, I take Weider Red Yeast Rice tablets; a century old Chinese natural phytosterol.
Life has never been better.
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”
~ Jim Rohn
Dennis-
Nice job!..routines are important….they make it easier to finish tasks…great reminder that health trumps (sorry) wealth. Being able to enjoy the fruits of our labor in later years is a great benefit.
Dennis,
Do you take any supplements or vitamins or anything? I am always going back and forth on whether they are beneficial or snake oil.