How to Grow Up, by Victor Hugo

When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age. - Victor Hugo

I love this quote. There is something dignified about experience and age. Aging gracefully is inundated with smiles, humor, energy, and optimism. Golden years are called such because of the brilliant sheen that has come from humble malleability. Never corroded and eternally valuable.

Smaller Meals, Longer life; Longer life, Wider Smiles

We have all heard that reducing our intake of calories is a good idea to reduce obesity. A lower weight indefinitely means we're more healthy. We have energy, stamina, regular blood pressure, less depression, the list goes on and on.

According to Health magazine, a fascinating new 20-year study is suggesting that reducing calories by 30 percent increases longevity. The study was done by using rhesus monkeys which share many characteristics with another primate cousin, the human.

Obviously this can be taken to the extreme. If our total calorie intake is reduced so much that we barely take any calories in, then we've pushed it too far. The recommendation is to cut your calorie count by 30%.

For all of us non-calorie counters, this could be a little bit more difficult to measure. What I am going to start doing is reducing the total food I eat by 30%. I figure that's a good measure to reducing calorie count at nearly the same ratio. At any rate, it is going to promote a healthier physique, higher energy, some weight loss, and ultimately, longevity and anti aging.

I think that everyone who reads this should make a goal, stick to it, and share with us your progress in your efforts to increase your longevity by cutting calorie counts. I know it may seem that life gets in the way, and that it may be difficult at times--but one step forward is a step in the right direction.

If you would like to read more about the Health Magazine study, it can be found on the CNN website here. I especially find their methodology interesting. Gradually reducing the calorie intake on the variables.

Let's keep heading in the right direction! And remember, most of all, stay positive!

Take This and Call Me In a Thousand Mornings

I'm not going to endorse it, but to me it seems like a good idea. According to a new study, a pill to extend life is in the works. As it stands now there is a drug that when administered to mice extends their life span.

Wouldn't that be nice? Some people might argue that prolonging life should only be done through diet and exercise staying positive and laughing. I am in that boat. However, it also seems to make sense that taking a pill to extend life could ultimately be a good idea . . . sometimes.

The person who has hardly any quality of life would be hard pressed to even sticking around a little longer. Youth is not dependent on birthdays. Youth is a state of mind and body. A pill to supplement an already healthy lifestyle is ideal. It means we can enjoy a good quality of life longer than without it. Let's be honest here, living longer, but unhealthy can raise the cost of medicare and medicaid, and other insurance.

Aging in a healthy way, with exercise and wellness habits allows us to be happier longer, love more, and influence the next generations. After all, the elderly have worked too hard not to leave the earth in good hands.

So, a pill to prolong life? The magical anti aging pill of the future? Is is a good idea? A bad idea? Ethical? Practical? Would you want an anti aging pill to supplement healthy living and activity? Should there be another solution? Who should take the anti aging pill? Who shouldn't? Should we even prolong life? What would this anti aging pill have to do to make it worth your while?

What are your thoughts on this topic?

Read more on the anti aging pill here

A Welcome

Aging is a fact of life. It is natural, and everyone does it! The more we live the older we get. Seems obvious enough. There comes a point when aging stops. It's when our health no longer exists. Seems that health is the determining factor in how much one can age.

It should be a priority, in everyone's life, to slow this process. The more we can live, the more we can love, care, influence, inspire, instruct, and count blessings.

This blog is to prepare every person to make every second count, in order to count more seconds.

Feel free to browse, comment, and discuss as you feel. Supporting this blog is supporting life and happiness for you and those whom you love every day.

Pumping Iron Better Than Popping Iron

Just recently a review of over 121 clinical trials concluded that weight lifting 2-3 times per week benefit the elderly well into their 80's!

Weight lifting provides a means of increasing strength which deteriorates with age.

Although it is difficult to imagine a bicep-bulging weight lifter shuffling down the hallways of a retirement home, we must remember that the goal is not to bulk up; it is to increase strength.

I personally feel that free weights might be a little to advanced for the beginning senior-weightlifter, so that is why elastic resistance bands are seen as a great way to 'lift weights'. Their costs are nominal, their storage space is minute, and their benefits are essential. After all, who wouldn't want to climb stairs, open jars, or hug a loved one with ease? Read more here

Learn more about resistance bands here as well as the pros and cons of resistance bands

Here's are links to the best priced elastic resistance bands I could find! Buy one today, live more tomorrows!