Is self care / health more or less important to you as you age?

Bella said:
I don't eat gluten, not because it's a passing fancy, a fad, or a bandwagon I jumped on yesterday, but because I can't. It's a medical necessity that I avoid it.

I have no desire to eat a Big Mac, but if for some unfathomable reason I did, I'd have to call 911 if I was able to.27Even at the rare times decades ago that I would eat one, I always felt sick afterwards and swore I'd never eat another one. So, there's really no appeal. I'm not even tempted.

When it comes to avoiding certain foods, it's become easy because of my mindset. When I see something like gluten-filled baked goods, yeah, they might L👀K good, but in fact, I see them for what they truly are for me... poison. That immediately kills any remote desire for it. Besides, I know I can make whatever yummy treat I want gluten-free, and it won't kill me!

I don't diet. I've been able to maintain my weight because I'm careful about what I eat. I eat everything—meat, fish, plenty of veggies, and carbs—in moderation. I don't formally exercise as much as I should, but I do all my own inside cleaning and most of the outside work myself and will do so as long as I'm able, so I count that as exercise.

Bella✌️
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That's wonderful, @Bella; it sounds like you're doing great. :)

Now that you mention, I wonder if it was the gluten in the buns and not just the read meat, et al, that made me feel bad after the Mac. I'm gluten sensitive (because of Hashimoto's) not intolerant, so I really don't know.

Anyway, good on you! :)
 

Medusa said:
That's wonderful, @Bella; it sounds like you're doing great. :)

Now that you mention, I wonder if it was the gluten in the buns and not just the read meat, et al, that made me feel bad after the Mac. I'm gluten sensitive (because of Hashimoto's) not intolerant, so I really don't know.

Anyway, good on you! :)
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Bingo! ;) Although I wonder about what else besides meat is in the meat!
 
Ronni said:
I ate whatever I wanted in whatever quantities, never exercised (though I have always been physically active) and maintained a healthy weight and slim physique and enjoyed good health
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I've always envied people like this. My best friend was like this much of her life and endured the same changes you describe as she hit middle age. She too has been able to fight it off, for the most part.

I on the other hand, have been chubby since I was seven. Eh, body types.

My goal now is health. -- Ah! I said it! LOL -- Wasn't I just saying I'm not sure I care that much anymore. -- I really am having some sort of rebellion. LOL

Bust out the Doritos and Twinkies! (Just kidding... I'd end up in the ER. lol)
 

I pay much closer attention to my health because older bodies are less resilient and suffer far greater consequences from poor care than young ones.

Nine years ago DH & I happened to watch "Vegucated", then followed it a few days later with "Forks Over Knives". Since then, I've followed a WFPB (whole food plant based) diet much of the time. DH still eats fish and dairy, but not nearly as much as before.

Me? Sometimes I'll eat a little dairy, but so much less in amount and frequency than before. Fish? A few times a year. Meat? Only if I'm traveling and it's a local specialty - and will only have it once. Very few added oils (unsweetened applesauce is a great baking substitute) and instead of eggs in baking, ground flax seeds with water works well.

My everyday diet consists of a lot of vegetables, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, legumes, quinoa and fruit. Plus a little dessert every day - a few cookies, some dark chocolate, a pumpkin muffin, or the like.

I feel better, my medical numbers are quite good (BP usually 90/60 to 100/70 without meds, and BMI in the 21 range), have little difficulty maintaining my weight, walk 30-40 minutes several days a week, and am spry enough to chase around a toddler grandson three days a week.

This reminder is taped it under one of my kitchen cabinets:
"Eat what you should when it doesn't matter
so you can eat what you want when it does matter."
 
StarSong said:
"Eat what you should when it doesn't matter
so you can eat what you want when it does matter."
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That is awesome. :)

Are you familiar with Isa Moskowitz's vegan cookbooks? I was vegan for four years and had all her stuff. Wonderful recipes in those.
Also, "The Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook" is good and I have a recipe for vegan mac n cheese I revised over the years my kids used to say was like crack, which I can hit you with if you're interested.

Though, on thinking about it... I think I'm just craving it and should probably just make some.
 
Ronni said:
😂

Well, @Medusa think of it this way…your taco is your 20%! You can have a taco every day if that’s what yo want, just make sure the other 80% of what you eat works FOR you and not against you! 😉
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Well, I had a turkey breast sandwich on GF bread for breakfast... If I have um, say salmon and artichoke for lunch (like I'm mak'n that lol)... Taco Bell is actually walking distance and hey! I'd be exercising! LOL

I actually remember from my obsessive calorie counting days that a Taco Bell standard taco contains 172 calories. -- That's not so bad, considering what it is, but that is only considering calories. I mean a fun-size Snickers is 80 cals., but...

Man, calorie counting used to be kind of fun. LOL
 
We have all seen people our age unable to walk without a cane or worse yet, pushing a wheeled cart. I feel for them, and frankly it scares me. For years since retirement my wife and I have tried to walk a mile, or thereabouts, every day. Fresh air and exercise are good for the mind as well as the body. We watch our weight and have been able to achieve an A1C well under 6. How long we will be able to maintain this regimen is hard to say, but for now …
 
fuzzybuddy said:
You aren't 18 anymore. Your body is going to do what's it's programed to do. Trying to be physically forever 18 isn't in the cards. Being fit for your age is. I'm no phys-ed guru, but being as active as you possibly can seems to me to be the way to go.
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Actually, I wasn't in that great of shape when I was 18, though I take your point.
For me, active as possible doesn't work because of the Fibro. which requires a careful balance.
 
Medusa said:
My husband's parents have enjoyed similar longevity and I'm hoping my children have inherited it as well.
Though I see that it must be combined with good practices.

Ugh, I just don't wanna right now. lol
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I personally , don’t want longevity @Medusa ….mum is so fed up and has lots of problems she would happily go tomorrow , but they keep keeping her alive !!!
 
Diet doesn't need to mean some kind of radical denial of what you like to eat. At age 54 newly retired we knew we were not healthy. CHOICE eat balanced meals & exercise-----or not. We chose balanced meals & exercise. It took almost two years to get fit. By fit I mean able to hike more than 20 feet. 5 to 8 miles a day at age 57 was normal. We hiked a lot of the National Parks.

Still eat what we want in a balanced meal, still enjoy exercise but the kind has been reduced to stretchy bands & walking 5 days a week.

End result of caring about living longer pretty much pain free. Wife at 79 is healthy & able to out walk me in speed. At 82 feeling like I'm in my 40's able to accomplish DIY projects like I described in the home thread about an under the kitchen sink project.

Motivation was my parents died before either reached the age of 62. My older brother dead age 48, next youngest died age 63, youngest brother died age 60.

Like everything in life it's a matter of choice & recognizing what you are capable of doing.
 
Medusa said:
You know, I actually had a Big Mac the other day and fries. I don't eat like that, normally, but I just really wanted it.
I didn't feel well afterward.

And just a few days ago I had Taco Bell Tacos (see? the waffling. I don't normally even eat red meat let alone fast food.)
I'd like to say I didn't feel well after that either, but no, it was just a big party.
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I have not eaten fast food in 20 years. Just don't care for the taste.
 
Medusa said:
Well, I had a turkey breast sandwich on GF bread for breakfast... If I have um, say salmon and artichoke for lunch (like I'm mak'n that lol)... Taco Bell is actually walking distance and hey! I'd be exercising! LOL

I actually remember from my obsessive calorie counting days that a Taco Bell standard taco contains 172 calories. -- That's not so bad, considering what it is, but that is only considering calories. I mean a fun-size Snickers is 80 cals., but...

Man, calorie counting used to be kind of fun. LOL
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Calories is only one factor. We miss the bigger picture when we focus on just that. Nutrient density is highly relevant to our health. Different foods can impact hormones, metabolism, hunger, and also that feeling of fullness, which of course will influence calorie intake.

Practically speaking, some foods make it easier to maintain a calorie deficit while maintaining good health. Sure I can eat a snickers bar for breakfast which is around 250 calories, and be hungry again a hour later while also feeling like crap from all the sugar and empty carbs. OR I can have a poached egg on a slice of multigrain avocado toast with a side of berries, for a bit less than 250 calories. I’ll leave you to figure out which is the more nutrient dense and healthy and energy sustaining breakfast! 😉

(And yea, I know I’m preaching to the choir 😂 but allow me to make my point anyway will ya? )
 
Remy said:
I don't know. I'll figure it out if I can ever stop working and being stressed out by my stepfather.
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Well, working on not stressing about your stepfather is a form of taking care of your health, in this case mental health, which can lead to problems with physical health.

So, that seems a positive, that you're working on working on it. :)
 
Ronni said:
Sure I can eat a snickers bar for breakfast which is around 250 calories, and be hungry again a hour later while also feeling like crap from all the sugar and empty carbs.
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Do you remember a few years back when the international Olympics endorsed Snickers as the official candy bar of the Olympics? Maybe they still do. I haven't kept up with them lately. I wonder how much they got paid for that?
 
Medusa said:
Oh gosh. That's sad Charry. :( (I don't want to start a flash fire, but that shouldn't happen to people). :(
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But it does Medusa and we don’t have the choice on whether we live or die !!
 

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