Living the "Primal" Lifestyle

Over the last 10 years I have learned much about, and have been rewarded with, living a more "Primal" Lifestyle.

The concepts are basic and fundamental to good health and longevity.
Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle is contrary to what we really need.

Poor nutritional choices, inactivity, stress, and lack of sleep have become far too common. Even "fitness" training is commonly pursued with the wrong emphasis or goals.  "Working out" consists primarily of isolation exercises and "cardio" on machines.  The pursuit of "burning calories" or winning competitive (long distance) events is in opposition to long term health and anti-aging.

Humans no longer eat, move, or live as they were designed to.

The following "Rules" for a "Primal" Lifestyle come from Mark Sisson (Mark's Daily Apple).

1. Eat lots of animals, insects and plants.
2. Move around a lot at a slow pace.
3. Lift heavy things.
4. Run really fast every once in a while.
5. Get lots of sleep.
6. Play.
7. Get some sunlight every day.
8. Avoid trauma.
9. Avoid poisonous things.
10. Use your mind.

Get more detail from his post here.

Clean Bill of Health

"My advice to you?  Don't change a friggin' thing!"

This is what my Doctor said to me this morning after reviewing my standard medical physical tests.

I had not seen him in 3 years (see previous post), so had all the blood work, stool, urine, ECG, PSA tests required.  All clear!

Lungs, heart, and other organs all functioning perfectly.  Blood pressure and cholesterol levels are excellent. Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: N/A.

In celebration, I had my typical breakfast of "high fat and cholesterol" .... bacon, eggs, avocado and almond butter (on a slice of ancient grain toast), and chuckled thinking of his advice while sipping on my cup of black coffee.

It feels great to be approaching 57 years of age and know that the lifestyle changes I made at the age of 45 have continued to pay off!  It feels great to be healthy.

It is also gratifying knowing that some of those changes were contrary to mainstream medical, training, and nutritional advice.

Just a Number

Age is more a state of mind and not necessarily indicative of getting old.  I have heard many people in their 30's and 40's say "I'm just getting old" or "I'm getting too old for this".  If you have accepted in your mind that you are old, you have already lost!  Stay young at heart and never give up.

The Health Hazards of Sitting

"We know sitting too much is bad, and most of us intuitively feel a little guilty after a long TV binge. 

But what exactly goes wrong in our bodies when we park ourselves for nearly eight hours per day, the average for a U.S. adult? 

Many things, say four experts, who detailed a chain of problems from head to toe."

Read the full article here.

The Story of Stuff

The Disappearing Male

"The Disappearing Male is about one of the most important, and least publicized, issues facing the human species: the toxic threat to the male reproductive system."

See the video here.

Is Your Daily Shower Making You Sick?

From Chris Kresser:

"When chlorine is used as a water treatment, it combines with organic matter to form compounds called trihalomethanes (THMs), also known as disinfectant byproducts. One of the most common THMs formed is chloroform, which is a known carcinogen. (2) Other THMs formed include the di- and trichloramines formed when chloramine is used as a disinfecting agent. (3) These compounds are toxic when consumed, inhaled, or applied to the skin."

Read the full article here.

Make Health & Fitness "Big Rocks"

One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget.

As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said,

"Okay, time for a quiz" and he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouth mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar.

When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class yelled, "Yes."

The time management expert replied, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. He then asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?"

By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not," one of them answered.

"Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" "No!" the class shouted.

Once again he said, "Good." Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!"

"No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."

What are the 'big rocks' in your life, time with your loved ones, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others? Remember to put these big rocks in first or you'll never get them in at all. So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life? Then, put those in your jar first.

The Single Best Thing For Our Health

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Bobby McFerrin was on to something!

Scientists have concluded that people who are happy and positive about life live longer!

Read The Telegraph article here.

Cystic Fibrosis

This year, on May 30th, I am participating in "Great Strides 2010" to help raise funds for research, as well as support for treatment programs, for children with Cystic Fibrosis.

You can help support this Foundation by making a secure online donation using your credit card. Your privacy is protected. Click on the link below:

http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2480560

All credit card donations will receive an automatic e-receipt.
For more information on how YOU can participate in Great Strides 2010, please visit www.cysticfibrosis.ca/greatstrides.

Thank you for your support!

Remembrance Day