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Am I blue
A good friend mentioned she’d been watching a documentary, Live to 100: Secrets of The Blue Zones on the Flix of Net. Most days I’m happy to make it through a workout at the gym and not collapse when I get home. Heck, I’m happy to do the workout and manage to walk home without stopping to catch my breath. But my friend seemed quite enthusiastic about the series, and who am I to turn my nose up at an opportunity to be educated? So, after I hobbled home from the gym I plopped my sorry arse down and watched it. GEEZ, Louise. I want to move to Sardinia! I want to move to Loma Linda. I want to move to Ikaria and all of those other places. Those people know how to live long healthy lives. I’ve heard a lot of all y’all say you wouldn’t want to live to be one hundred and then given me umpteen reasons why you feel so. Mostly, the bottom line is you don’t want to live in a wheelchair, wearing a bib, playing childish games at recreational therapy time, sipping your lunch through a straw and waiting for someone—anyone—to visit. I get the mindset. At first I tried to buy into it and I set my sights on living to mid-eighties. I was hoping to hit that mark with most of my teeth and still be able to recognize my family when they dropped by. And then I watched Secrets of The Blue Zones. Now I’ve got a new goal in mind that doesn’t include a nursing home, adult diapers and a pair of velcro slippers. I want to create my own Blue Zone.
What’s a Blue Zone, some of you may be asking? Well, to put it simply, it’s an area, actually a community, where the inhabitants are living well into their late nineties, and longer, with very few health impediments. They are, predominantly, vegan. They take part in community activities. They put family before everyone, and everything, else. They shun processed foods. They are, physically, very active— not necessarily gym-goers, but most of their day involves physical activity. They are spiritual, often faith-based. They are elderly, vibrant people who contribute to their communities in a meaningful ways. Their communities, for the most part, are very separated from city/town lifestyles. Often their community is rural or rustic. Walking is the way to get around, and food preparation is very hands-on. Because I’m always looking to improve my lifestyle, I’ve often confused the concept of dieting/deprivation with the concept of living a thoughtful, healthy, active life. Like a lot of people, I’m always looking for the very next way to lose weight when instead I should be looking for the way to improve my entire physical, mental and social outlook.
For several years I’ve been a plant-strong eater. For me, that means more than two-thirds of my diet consists of vegetables, fruit, nuts and legumes. I rarely eat dairy products—although everyone knows my weakness for ice cream. I exercise regularly, but after watching this documentary I can see I have lots of room for improvement when it comes to moving around. “Moving naturally throughout the day—walking, gardening, doing housework, meal preparation—is a core part of the Blue Zone lifestyle. A day of sitting down—at work, in your car, on your couch—can’t be fixed by spending 30 minutes in the gym.” And, for those of you who look at your parents and grandparents then tell yourself “They lived long lives, I’m sure I will”, the reality is genetics likely accounts for about 25 per cent of longevity. Your lifestyle plays a much bigger role in the determination of your lifespan. The keys to living a long life are to move more naturally and with purpose. Determine your purpose in life and live with conviction. Take time every day to de-stress by taking a nap, meditating or enjoying a glass of wine. Stop eating when you are almost full. Have a “plant slant” by incorporating more fresh produce into your diet. Put your family first and keep them close. Cultivating friendships and close social circles that will support your healthier behaviours is crucial. Spirituality is important, so find the goodness in your life and share it with others.
Well, let’s see how I do with this information! Maybe I’ll keep you posted.
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