It’s January, and I almost always start a new diet this time of year. But the answer to the question today is NO, not a new diet. More of a life-style change. 
Spinach and shrimp salad
Are you familiar with the Blue Zones concept? People in different parts of the world live longer healthier lives than most others. Somebody started looking at why that was and came up with strategies that the people in those areas follow. I’m going to share some of them with you. Some will be familiar. Other folks have made the case for these behaviors. The Blue Zones Folks have just pulled it all together. You can find full information at https://www.bluezones.com/
-
Walk daily. (I’m upping by 10,000 step goal to 15,000 steps.)
-
A dog will help keep you more active. (I know we walk regularly because of Charley.).
-
Find a place to de-stress with meditation or prayer. (I tend to pray when I’m walking, but don’t have a set place in the house.)
-
Use smaller size plates—10 inches rather than larger ones. (This we’ve done.)
-
Weigh every day. (Some plans don’t agree with this, but for myself, I know I have to face the reality of that scale every day.)
-
Grow some of your own veggies or use a community garden.” (I bet a lot of you out there do this. I like to use fresh markets, but maybe when spring comes, I’ll think about growing tomatoes. Bob did that way long ago and had fun with it.)
(Garden at grandaughter’s elementary school) -
Hang out weekly with friends. (Seems like a “duh!”, doesn’t it? But if you are isolated, I (and the Blue Zones folks) encourage you to find like-minded people to hang out with.)
-
Talk with your significant other and family members about growing older. (With the loss of Bob’s brother and a good church friend in December, this is in the forefront of my mind. We’ve agreed this is the year to get the funeral plans done and have more—we’ve had some—conversations with the kids. It will make things easier for them when we go, and we all die.)
-
Find a church or faith-based group to be involved with. (We have been more, less, and more active in our church for years. Right now, the level of involvement probably adds to my stress level. Think I need to do more of #3. 😊 )
Marsha R. West, Author 
Consistency and patience are key, aren’t they? Slow and steady wins!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, Renee. Just trying to practice what you preach. 🙂 While I don’t like to wear Nike shoes, they do have it right. Just do it. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
LikeLike
A few of the things I plan on doing…
I have started meditating again in the new year.
I am restarting a diet. I made sure all of our Christmas cookies were gone on New Year’s Eve. I ate the last two that night…lol. I made a BIG pot of turkey vegetable soup to have for when I am starving. Since you mentioned wine, I’d rather eat than drink any day. I don’t know how long this is going to last.
I’m bound and determined to finish my WIP this month for a spring release. I plan to walk/exercise every day. I’ll do that after my meditation. 🙂
Happy New Year, Marsha!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, Susan. Great goals. If you don’t have goals, well, for me nothing gets done. Good for you on skipping the wine, saves lots of calories. And meditating is supposed to be great. I just find it hard to be that quiet. We’re both hoping for a spring release, but I’d really better get super busy if that’s going to happen. Glad we’re both working on being more healthy. We can encourage each other. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
LikeLike