Heres the latest blog from our friend, Pamela Holtzman.

If you feel like an “old dog” – it’s time you learned some new tricks. And I’m not talking about rolling over and playing dead. I’m talking about tricks that make you feel alive and vital rather than atrophied.

Trick one:

Move.

Don’t stop! The more you move – the more you’ll move. Stay flexible, strong and work on endurance. It doesn’t matter how you do it. Just exercise in some form for 30 minutes 5-6 days/week. Even if you take 3 -10 minute walks every day. You’re doing it!

Always do some light stretching, when you get up in the morning and before exercising. If you do, you won’t have injuries and will be less likely to have muscle soreness. Think about doing your exercise with intervals, fast-slow-fast (good for the heart).

Exercise increases endorphins (the ‘feel good’” hormone) that decrease pain. Free radicals are reduced through oxygenation, reducing inflammation. Your brain benefits from better circulation and blood flow. Let’s see – joints, heart, lungs, muscles, bone. Pretty much every part of your body will benefit from regular exercise. That’s a good trick.

Trick two:

Live in loving kindness

Work on your relationships. Start with yourself. Soften. Forgive your past mistakes. Become a better person. Treat those you love with care and kindness. Be a love-finder, not a fault-finder. Your heart and your soul will be filled with a feeling of abundance and connectedness. This is essential for good health.

Trick three:

Meditation

Learn how to slow down. Not because you’re “old”. But slowing down in order to be fully present, mindful, appreciative, and aware of where you are inside and what’s going on around you.

Meditation is focused awareness. It comes with calming and quieting your body and mind. Bringing your focus to your breath takes you out of your thoughts. Breathe in deeply, think “open.” Feel your body opening up and receiving the breath. Breathing out slowly, think “release.” Allowing all the tensions and discomfort in your body to flow out with the breath. As thoughts arise, gently disengage from them, and refocus on the breath.

Twice daily, create a meditation practice for 15 -20 minutes, morning and night. Sit comfortably, spine erect, eyes closed, and breathe slowly and deeply. “Open.” “Release.” Place your mental awareness in “spacious mind.” Quiet your thoughts. There are many kinds of meditation, discover the one that works for you. Do it every day. Don’t worry about “getting it right.” That’s why it’s called a practice.

Trick four:

Feed your brain and body

Eat whole foods. Think of all the colors in the rainbow and eat fruits and vegetables to get the optimal phyto-nutrients, vitamins and minerals, available for a balanced diet.

Trash anything in your fridge or cabinets that are processed, have hydrogenated fats, high fructose corn syrup, or chemical additives. If you want to eat junk food – make it yourself. At least you’ll know it’s fresh and what’s in it. Don’t shop center aisles in the grocery store if you can help it. Stay on the periphery of the store where the fresh foods are. Try farmers markets or international food markets for less pricey fruits and veggies.

Give up “white foods” (white rice, pasta, white breads), and experiment with whole grains. Here are a few simple rules: start with a protein breakfast every day, eat small meals throughout the day (like a baby). This helps metabolism and keeps your energy even throughout the day. Drink 6-8 glasses of water, green tea, or clear broth. (Force yourself – this is really important). Your body is 60% water.

Eating well can become habit forming. The body craves it. The more you live healthy, the more you’ll want to.

So here are some fringe benefits you can expect from regular practice of your new tricks: decreased stress, longevity, good health, no medical bills, increased socialization, flexibility, strength and endurance, and it’s cost efficient!

Sounds too simple? Then why aren’t you doing it? Your life depends on it!

To learn more about a healthy lifestyle program check out: HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Path of Wellness, my recently published book, available on my website: Pamelaholtzman.com.

Here’s to you KID!