Put it all on the table

Part of living healthy is managing stress and our activities. I’ve just found out that I’ve been signed to write the first book in my new series, Living Free. For the next six months I’ll be writing, as well as traveling to speak, blogging on my ministry page, and working with our ministry team. And I’ll still be mom, wife, and Gramma.

I’ve learned that when life gets super hectic that it’s time to put it all on the table.

Everything that you do.

Sometimes there are things on that table that you aren’t necessarily supposed to be doing, but there was a need so you filled it.

Many times there are things on that table that are your passion, and you can’t imagine not doing it.

There are the non-negotiables such as family and faith.

And then there are the things we do simply because we are a “do-er” and we heap them on.

Taking things off the table on a six-month basis is essential. It keeps you connected to things that you love. It provides balance.

When we just keep heaping on, we can find ourselves in a place that we don’t like to be. Stressful. Anxious. Always working, but very rarely accomplishing what we want to do.

I just did that. With a new book contract, it means many more hours a week of dedicated research and writing. Which means something has to give.

Unfortunately that means that I am taking a long sabbatical with 50 Days to a Great 50. It was meant to be a 50-day project and I loved it. I’m still benefiting from it and I hope you are too.

Will I still be living healthy and active? Yes, because that has to stay on the table for balance.

It’s been amazing, and maybe one day we’ll do it again together! But for now it’s one of the balls that I’m juggling that need to be put down.

The links to the 50 days (week one, week two) are still on the blog at www.50daystoagreat50.wordpress.com for you and anyone else who desires to challenge themselves to live their best 50+!

Action Step: Put it all on the table. Everything that you do. What is non-negotiable? What is your passion? What do you do that is unnecessary, that someone else can do, or that compromise is needed?

Let’s Do It Together: Name one thing that you discovered as you “put it all on the table”.

Power foods

According to Live Strong, there are seven power foods that make a huge difference in metabolism and overall health.

Almonds and walnuts — A great source of energy and good fat. When you are hungry for a carb lift, go for a few almonds instead. One tip is to carry a mixture of almonds and craisins in a baggie in your purse. It’s there when you need that pick-me-up! Also, toss a few walnuts on your oatmeal in the morning, or on your salad!

Low-fat dairy – Keep those bones strong! Yogurt and fresh blueberries or strawberries. String cheese. An apple and slice of cheese. Skim milk. If you are a coffee drinker, add a little skim milk.

Olive oil and avocado – Drizzle a little olive oil, garlic salt and pepper over sliced avocado for a delicious snack! Rich in folate (a B vitamin).

Hard boiled eggs – According to Live Strong, one hard-boiled egg can stave off hunger for hours. Are you cutting back to a reasonable caloric count and battling cravings. Add this 80-calorie treat.

Blueberries – I don’t love them, so this isn’t in my food choices, but I wish I did because they are a super food. They are no fat, low calorie, and they boost brain power. Maybe I need to learn to love them!

Dark chocolate – Dark chocolate is not only delicious, but releases endorphins. Itching for a fight? Grab a snack-sized dark chocolate instead!

Citrus fruits – Eating a half a grapefruit before a meal can help you lose weight. It’s filled with fiber and it digests quickly, giving you a boost of energy that doesn’t leave you lethargic.

Action Step: We reach for what is in the cabinet. Stock up on super foods.

Let’s do it together: What is one creative way you add a super food to your daily diet?

 

Sitting is the new smoking

Pink is the new black.

Fifty is the new forty.

We’ve heard those. Today I read about a new saying:

Sitting is the new cigarette smoking.

Technology has moved us from an active nation to a passive nation. We watch TV instead of garden. We work at desks. We make a phone call instead of walking over to a neighbor’s home. We play video games with our grandchildren instead of take a bike ride.

More than that we are finding shortcuts to do things that once made us active. We park closer. We ride escalators. We hop in the car to drive around the corner.

Maybe you walk 30 minutes every day. That’s great! But are you sitting or sleeping the remaining 23.5 hours? How can you be more active throughout your day?

Here are some tips:

Turn off the TV.

Park at a distance whenever you can and walk to the front door.

Interrupt your work or entertainment to take a short 10-minute brisk walk or bike ride outside.

If you play video games with your grandchildren or children (or by yourself) choose an active one that makes you move (dancing, boxing, etc.).

Walk the dog.

Anything that makes you move, keeps you flexible, and keeps you from being sedintary.

Action Step: Any or all of the above.

Let’s do it together: Call a neighbor or friend and ask them to walk with you. Set a date for a regular walk with your spouse. Limit TV to a small portion of your day.