Thank you for this newsletter! I wish we could all move to one of those places and get together and talk about this!!!
I started feeling the way you are when I hit 40. I went to a nutritionist who told me, based on my family history & my pre-diabetes, to change my diet to more of a “Greek” diet, eat fresh fruits & vegetables, & quit eating crap. I took her seriously. I did. I still eat baked goods, but not as often. I don’t drink soda or alcohol, anyway, so that wasn’t an issue. I ate more fresh fruits & veggies & limited my eating out to once a week, trying to avoid fast food. I felt good!
Then at 50 I started feeling sluggish again. My joints hurt. I felt older than 50. I did some research & decided to try no meat. Vegan was too rigorous for me. I tried it but lost too much weight & had low energy. Vegetarian (& once in a long while pescatarian 😀) though, suited me.
I feel great! My joints don’t ache. I have energy. I wish I could get my sleep to regulate, but that is stress/anxiety caused. I’m working on it.
I think trying different things with your diet is a good idea. Different things work for different people at different times in life. There is a lot about how we eat in the western world that is scary. Just the junk food alone! Keep us posted on how things go! 👍🏼
Terrell! Sorry to hear about your foot. I have a guy...if you need a guy to look at that foot. And yay on being inspired by Blue Zones! I've been plant based for 7+ years...a starter way to think about food: Comes from plants 🌱 > Made in a plant 🏭. Start small, with foods you already enjoy :) Happy food exploring!
Wow, am I glad you started this conversation. I had an epiphany a couple years ago when I reconnected with my organic cousin who got healthy and lost 50 pounds ten years ago. We are both in our 60’s, and did a LOT of texting!! Then I started doing research, bought a couple of books, did more research, signed up for videos on nutrition, book marked some great online resources, and—motivated mostly by the anger of being LIED TO all these years—started making some changes. I don’t know if you have time for all that. I’m retired, so…First thing you have to realize (and stop eating fast food, restaurant food, and store-bought junk food, while you’re pondering your life) is that our food is not processed the same way as it was 100 years ago. It’s not even grown the same way. Today’s crops and processing involves so many chemicals and pesticides, and traces seep down into much of the crops. And that doesn’t even account for the grains they feed the animals! All these things are toxins that are deemed at “acceptable” levels by our government entities, but it accumulates in our bodies in different places and in different ways, and we eventually start feeling it! Why else are there more clinics today than ever before in American history? And the ads for medication? “Ask your doctor if this is right for you.” Really? I’m on my soap box now that is my motivating factor: the medical industry, the insurance industry, and the food industry—just to name a few—want us all to keep doing what we are doing, because it’s making them all rich. If we all started eating organic and quit eating out, and we all started running or cycling or working out, they would lose sooooo much money, they’d be thrown into a panic!! I’m dead serious. We all need to realize this, and take back control of our lives, learn that it’s ok to question, learn to think, learn to make our own decisions, and learn that all those people are not God. The first thing I did was add fluoride filters to my Berkey (dig around on fluoride—the info is sickening!). Then I bought two of the bottles of detox drops that my cousin used, and I started buying organic a little at a time, using my savings, because that affected my health, and it was worth it. 100 years ago, ALL food was organic. Now you pay a premium for it. What a slow wickedness! Anyway, I started to feel more “cleaned out,” even though I was already slim bc of running. I lost 4 more pounds! I don’t eat 100% organic, but I eat enough to where I know it makes a difference. Stop the added sugar, if you haven’t already. So much damage happens to our cells over time because of sugar. And what do they put in everything? Sugar and salt. Most times high fructose corn syrup which is horrible for the body. Anyway—start this journey! There are only so many hours in the day, but your life will change. Long life and new health to you!!!💪🏼👍🏻😊
Adaption is crucial as we age, commitment to that which is different and or new is a process much the same as training. Just when you believe that you arrived the need to adapt begins anew. A rather longwinded way to say change is the only constant in human existence. So lets go!
Yes to nutrition articles. And while I’m sorry about your foot and pray for a quick recovery, I get it. Started your training plan at the beginning. Had covid, started over, got mono, missed some small races I hoped to run with my 14 year old but I’m back to just regular walking and at 61 , thinking how can I change some of my habits. Especially nutrition because, I’d like to live to 100 or more. I’ll look forward to future posts and shorter runs for awhile
HI Terrell. Im so sorry for your injury. When I first started reading your article I thought you had the "taper tantrums" but it appears not. I' m a big believer in lifestyle, happiness and connection to our roots and family as life giving. While it's not possible for most of us to move to a lovely island, we can move there in our minds and adopt the practices. I've put in a garden this year and find it is so nurturing to my soul. I hope that this new direction brings you joy and you are back out there running when you can be. Peace and joy.
Good to hear from you again, Terrell! Sorry about your injury, but it will take time. I could rant on that, but I'm not going to. There are too many people who don't appreciate my running technique! :)
Been a vegetarian (NOT vegan or plant-based--whatever that is?!) since 1968. Before that, I lived on a farm where we grew, preserved and ate our own food. Being poor had a lot to do with it, but it was a good lifestyle. The media ploy of "Organic" did not exist. We had an acre and a half of garden. My dad and brothers hunted. Meat came from what they shot. I don't believe I had cow until I was about 12 or 13. . . then a few years later became vegetarian. I don't like grocery store food. It doesn't have any taste. The Farmer's Markets come around early enough here in WA that I can survive on rice, beans and a few veggies, then I go shopping every weekend!
The "Blue Zone" sounds ideal. To tell you the truth, though, I'd be going back to what I lived as a kid. It takes time and effort--not so easy as opening a package! Of course,there is little time left for leisure activities, but that is OK. Puts you in a lot better mental space. Reading about long-lived people is great, but to actually function as one is more of a challenge and it can be done anywhere. Still do as much as I can in this city environment, but as soon as the opportunity presents itself, I'm out of here! 75 in less than a month and still going strong!
Looking forward to some of your writing and shorter run training programs while you heal! Take care! :)
Sounds like the same foot injury I've been dealing with for a number of months now - finally got it narrowed in on a Morton's Neuroma; physical therapy, ultrasound, and rest have been the treatment plan - and taking it very easy getting back into running. On the diet side - I went plant-based about 18 months ago - it's made a huge difference in how I feel! Good luck and look forward to hearing more!
I'm so sorry about your foot Terrel. I did run the Half marathon but at mile 7 my knee s started to act up and the pain got worse. But I finished. Looking back I should have listened to the pain and stopped and got a ride to my car. I'm on day 3 of recovery and i think in 2 weeks I can run / walk a slow 5k. But I should have remembered that when you feel pain, you Listen and stop.
… my hope is for a speedy (16 minute 5K) recovery. Don’t change the name of the blog! At 72, working at home … I have it pretty good. My wife and I eat a normal diet of meat, fish, and a lot of veggies. We have found “everything in moderation” works for us.
This is a really wonderful idea for a thematic focus. Bravo.
I'm a huge fan of the Mediterranean diet. It's certainly not low on fats, and it's filled with things you can absolutely stuff yourself spherical with (speaking from experience), but - it agreed with me and I rarely get food hangovers from a primarily traditional Med-based diet (lots of fresh veg, lots of olive oil, tangy crisp flavours).
I'm also rethinking my diet right now, because I've had stomach issues triggered by acidity-forming foods. And shifting Med-wards with what I eat generally makes it easier to keep my body happy. (Apart from the bread and coffee, which I'm having to cut out, at least for now. Big tear rolls sadly down Mike's face...)
I'm deeply interested in learning more about the Japanese diet, considering the country still has the longest life expectency of the G7 nations, and second only to Hong Kong worldwide. They are clearly doing a lot of things right there?
I remember reading that article in the NY Times. Fascinating. Part of what led me to research more about nutrition. I read the book Brain Food by Dr. Lisa Mosconi and switched to a Mediterranean diet. Totally in on the detour into nutrition, Terrell. I hope you feel better soon, but I also hope you'll get your foot checked out by a doctor. Sharp pain that bad could be serious. Or not. Better to know.
I’m very sorry that your foot is in pain but I am struck by how you have chosen to use this moment. One of the things I’ve wondered about are the shifts in our tastes as well as our bodies “once we cross the 50 mark” -- are our bodies trying to tell us something if we are only open to it? I’m excited to read and follow your journey here. I’m sure I will learn something. And I think Jeanne has an excellent suggestion: starting with foods you already like is so smart. The other thing I’ve found is to visualize, think/ be conscious of each bite of what I’m eating and paying attention to how it makes me feel emotionally and, later, physically.
Thanks T! I always appreciate the depth of your thinking. Sorry to hear that you have been experiencing pain. Praying that you heal properly and learn from this if there is anything that needs changed.
I have been wearing Dr Scholl’s PF inserts since Aug last year. I have run 2 halves with them. They have been magical for me.
I have been making efforts for several years now at more healthy eating. I am about 2/3 plant-based. I generally eat poultry or fish for dinner. I am getting there.
The bottom line in my thinking about what you shared regarding the life in the blue zone thinking is this: I personally feel we can achieve close to that wherever we live. We can resist the pull of life to drag us into unhealthy, hurried, stressed lives, and we can eat a balanced diet. I have not achieved that perfectly. But I seek it daily. Just like running, so much of it is mental. To me then, it is being mindful of those things on a regular basis.
Thank you for this newsletter! I wish we could all move to one of those places and get together and talk about this!!!
I started feeling the way you are when I hit 40. I went to a nutritionist who told me, based on my family history & my pre-diabetes, to change my diet to more of a “Greek” diet, eat fresh fruits & vegetables, & quit eating crap. I took her seriously. I did. I still eat baked goods, but not as often. I don’t drink soda or alcohol, anyway, so that wasn’t an issue. I ate more fresh fruits & veggies & limited my eating out to once a week, trying to avoid fast food. I felt good!
Then at 50 I started feeling sluggish again. My joints hurt. I felt older than 50. I did some research & decided to try no meat. Vegan was too rigorous for me. I tried it but lost too much weight & had low energy. Vegetarian (& once in a long while pescatarian 😀) though, suited me.
I feel great! My joints don’t ache. I have energy. I wish I could get my sleep to regulate, but that is stress/anxiety caused. I’m working on it.
I think trying different things with your diet is a good idea. Different things work for different people at different times in life. There is a lot about how we eat in the western world that is scary. Just the junk food alone! Keep us posted on how things go! 👍🏼
Terrell! Sorry to hear about your foot. I have a guy...if you need a guy to look at that foot. And yay on being inspired by Blue Zones! I've been plant based for 7+ years...a starter way to think about food: Comes from plants 🌱 > Made in a plant 🏭. Start small, with foods you already enjoy :) Happy food exploring!
Wow, am I glad you started this conversation. I had an epiphany a couple years ago when I reconnected with my organic cousin who got healthy and lost 50 pounds ten years ago. We are both in our 60’s, and did a LOT of texting!! Then I started doing research, bought a couple of books, did more research, signed up for videos on nutrition, book marked some great online resources, and—motivated mostly by the anger of being LIED TO all these years—started making some changes. I don’t know if you have time for all that. I’m retired, so…First thing you have to realize (and stop eating fast food, restaurant food, and store-bought junk food, while you’re pondering your life) is that our food is not processed the same way as it was 100 years ago. It’s not even grown the same way. Today’s crops and processing involves so many chemicals and pesticides, and traces seep down into much of the crops. And that doesn’t even account for the grains they feed the animals! All these things are toxins that are deemed at “acceptable” levels by our government entities, but it accumulates in our bodies in different places and in different ways, and we eventually start feeling it! Why else are there more clinics today than ever before in American history? And the ads for medication? “Ask your doctor if this is right for you.” Really? I’m on my soap box now that is my motivating factor: the medical industry, the insurance industry, and the food industry—just to name a few—want us all to keep doing what we are doing, because it’s making them all rich. If we all started eating organic and quit eating out, and we all started running or cycling or working out, they would lose sooooo much money, they’d be thrown into a panic!! I’m dead serious. We all need to realize this, and take back control of our lives, learn that it’s ok to question, learn to think, learn to make our own decisions, and learn that all those people are not God. The first thing I did was add fluoride filters to my Berkey (dig around on fluoride—the info is sickening!). Then I bought two of the bottles of detox drops that my cousin used, and I started buying organic a little at a time, using my savings, because that affected my health, and it was worth it. 100 years ago, ALL food was organic. Now you pay a premium for it. What a slow wickedness! Anyway, I started to feel more “cleaned out,” even though I was already slim bc of running. I lost 4 more pounds! I don’t eat 100% organic, but I eat enough to where I know it makes a difference. Stop the added sugar, if you haven’t already. So much damage happens to our cells over time because of sugar. And what do they put in everything? Sugar and salt. Most times high fructose corn syrup which is horrible for the body. Anyway—start this journey! There are only so many hours in the day, but your life will change. Long life and new health to you!!!💪🏼👍🏻😊
Adaption is crucial as we age, commitment to that which is different and or new is a process much the same as training. Just when you believe that you arrived the need to adapt begins anew. A rather longwinded way to say change is the only constant in human existence. So lets go!
Yes to nutrition articles. And while I’m sorry about your foot and pray for a quick recovery, I get it. Started your training plan at the beginning. Had covid, started over, got mono, missed some small races I hoped to run with my 14 year old but I’m back to just regular walking and at 61 , thinking how can I change some of my habits. Especially nutrition because, I’d like to live to 100 or more. I’ll look forward to future posts and shorter runs for awhile
HI Terrell. Im so sorry for your injury. When I first started reading your article I thought you had the "taper tantrums" but it appears not. I' m a big believer in lifestyle, happiness and connection to our roots and family as life giving. While it's not possible for most of us to move to a lovely island, we can move there in our minds and adopt the practices. I've put in a garden this year and find it is so nurturing to my soul. I hope that this new direction brings you joy and you are back out there running when you can be. Peace and joy.
Good to hear from you again, Terrell! Sorry about your injury, but it will take time. I could rant on that, but I'm not going to. There are too many people who don't appreciate my running technique! :)
Been a vegetarian (NOT vegan or plant-based--whatever that is?!) since 1968. Before that, I lived on a farm where we grew, preserved and ate our own food. Being poor had a lot to do with it, but it was a good lifestyle. The media ploy of "Organic" did not exist. We had an acre and a half of garden. My dad and brothers hunted. Meat came from what they shot. I don't believe I had cow until I was about 12 or 13. . . then a few years later became vegetarian. I don't like grocery store food. It doesn't have any taste. The Farmer's Markets come around early enough here in WA that I can survive on rice, beans and a few veggies, then I go shopping every weekend!
The "Blue Zone" sounds ideal. To tell you the truth, though, I'd be going back to what I lived as a kid. It takes time and effort--not so easy as opening a package! Of course,there is little time left for leisure activities, but that is OK. Puts you in a lot better mental space. Reading about long-lived people is great, but to actually function as one is more of a challenge and it can be done anywhere. Still do as much as I can in this city environment, but as soon as the opportunity presents itself, I'm out of here! 75 in less than a month and still going strong!
Looking forward to some of your writing and shorter run training programs while you heal! Take care! :)
Sounds like the same foot injury I've been dealing with for a number of months now - finally got it narrowed in on a Morton's Neuroma; physical therapy, ultrasound, and rest have been the treatment plan - and taking it very easy getting back into running. On the diet side - I went plant-based about 18 months ago - it's made a huge difference in how I feel! Good luck and look forward to hearing more!
I'm so sorry about your foot Terrel. I did run the Half marathon but at mile 7 my knee s started to act up and the pain got worse. But I finished. Looking back I should have listened to the pain and stopped and got a ride to my car. I'm on day 3 of recovery and i think in 2 weeks I can run / walk a slow 5k. But I should have remembered that when you feel pain, you Listen and stop.
I’m very excited for this new chapter. Best wishes for a quick healing of your foot!
… my hope is for a speedy (16 minute 5K) recovery. Don’t change the name of the blog! At 72, working at home … I have it pretty good. My wife and I eat a normal diet of meat, fish, and a lot of veggies. We have found “everything in moderation” works for us.
Read your blog for the first time today, we have many things in common I hope your foot heals soon take care .
Jay whiteclaw
This is a really wonderful idea for a thematic focus. Bravo.
I'm a huge fan of the Mediterranean diet. It's certainly not low on fats, and it's filled with things you can absolutely stuff yourself spherical with (speaking from experience), but - it agreed with me and I rarely get food hangovers from a primarily traditional Med-based diet (lots of fresh veg, lots of olive oil, tangy crisp flavours).
I'm also rethinking my diet right now, because I've had stomach issues triggered by acidity-forming foods. And shifting Med-wards with what I eat generally makes it easier to keep my body happy. (Apart from the bread and coffee, which I'm having to cut out, at least for now. Big tear rolls sadly down Mike's face...)
I'm deeply interested in learning more about the Japanese diet, considering the country still has the longest life expectency of the G7 nations, and second only to Hong Kong worldwide. They are clearly doing a lot of things right there?
I remember reading that article in the NY Times. Fascinating. Part of what led me to research more about nutrition. I read the book Brain Food by Dr. Lisa Mosconi and switched to a Mediterranean diet. Totally in on the detour into nutrition, Terrell. I hope you feel better soon, but I also hope you'll get your foot checked out by a doctor. Sharp pain that bad could be serious. Or not. Better to know.
I’m very sorry that your foot is in pain but I am struck by how you have chosen to use this moment. One of the things I’ve wondered about are the shifts in our tastes as well as our bodies “once we cross the 50 mark” -- are our bodies trying to tell us something if we are only open to it? I’m excited to read and follow your journey here. I’m sure I will learn something. And I think Jeanne has an excellent suggestion: starting with foods you already like is so smart. The other thing I’ve found is to visualize, think/ be conscious of each bite of what I’m eating and paying attention to how it makes me feel emotionally and, later, physically.
Thanks T! I always appreciate the depth of your thinking. Sorry to hear that you have been experiencing pain. Praying that you heal properly and learn from this if there is anything that needs changed.
I have been wearing Dr Scholl’s PF inserts since Aug last year. I have run 2 halves with them. They have been magical for me.
I have been making efforts for several years now at more healthy eating. I am about 2/3 plant-based. I generally eat poultry or fish for dinner. I am getting there.
The bottom line in my thinking about what you shared regarding the life in the blue zone thinking is this: I personally feel we can achieve close to that wherever we live. We can resist the pull of life to drag us into unhealthy, hurried, stressed lives, and we can eat a balanced diet. I have not achieved that perfectly. But I seek it daily. Just like running, so much of it is mental. To me then, it is being mindful of those things on a regular basis.