We all know with medicine and exercise staying young longer is not as difficult as it used to be. I am one of the very fortunate ones to have the benefit of modern medicine. In 2002, I was diagnosed with stage four, metastasized, inoperable cancer. I was given two months to live and told if I did not have four kinds of chemotherapy for three weeks at a time at the hospital to shrink my eight tumors, and then try to remove half of my stomach and half my tumors, returning to more chemotherapy, I would certainly die within two months. After several consultations I decided on an experimental treatment of hormone blockers (a shot and a pill) and have lived happily ever after. I am a legislative Ambassador for the American Cancer Society. I have authored two books and speak around the country. The object of my speaking is to prove its possible to thrive, not just survive. There are so many tools out there to keep us young and healthy a longer time. We just have to grab them off the shelf and use them. My goal is to share what I have learned along the way.
H Heart: Pump the adrenaline to your heart at least three times a week with 30 minutes of cardio, which could mean a brisk walk with a friend or using the treadmill at the gym. Some light lifting is important too. Studies have definitely have been made that weight lifting is important for our balance and to keep our core strong.
E Eat Well: Fresh vegetables, Fresh juices (important). Meat on a limited scale. Mostly chicken, fish, rice and vegetables. Stay away from white flour, sugar, and gluten as much as possible. There are wonderful breads in health food stores that are gluten and yeast free that toast up quite nicely.
A Attitude, Attitude, Attitude (Think Gratitude): Everything else comes in a distant second.
L Long term goals: Think of things to do that will excite you for the future (painting, writing, taking a class). Projects of any kind with a beginning, middle, and end so that you can see the results.
T Tea: Drink green tea. All herbal teas are good for you (Lemon, ginger, chamomile, Echinacea, etc.) Any tea with antioxidants.
H Helping others. Nothing makes you feel more invincible than giving back. Pick something you have a passion for.
Y Youthful Thinking: Try something new. For example, acupuncture. This is a must to improve your immune system. Find a reliable person and make a program for yourself. Keep yourself in tune. Karate, yoga, and Pilates all increase your core power and are good for your head. Meditation and journal writing help to delve inside yourself and find that quiet place. Everyday when you wake up give yourself the luxury of stretching, at least ten minutes. It really sets you up for the day.
We have to think of ourselves as living well into our nineties and possibly hundreds. Our main goal is to thrive not just survive. Live life with zest and plan for the future.
