Gracefully Aging, Day 8: Using health and fitness to defy your age

77-yearold body builder Ernestine Shepherd
Photo Credit

First of all, a disclaimer: none of this series is meant to be a "do as I do" thing, as if I'm an expert on aging gracefully and that I've got everything together.

Instead, it's a culling together of things I've learned, women who ARE doing it right, and tips and knowledge that I'm at least trying to implement in my life, with varying degrees of success.

There's no doubt in my mind that proper eating and exercise is key to aging gracefully.

Ernestine Shepherd

We may not all be able to aspire to the level of fitness exhibited by  Ernestine Shepherd--pictured in the photo--but we can certainly be inspired.

Shepherd tells The Daily Mail that she gets up at 2.30am every day, prays, prepares her first meal of scrambled egg whites and a handful of walnuts, and then runs 10 miles before she has her second meal and hits the gym.

And I'm tired after a 45-minute bike ride! But you know what? It does definitely inspire me that someone old enough to be my mom has reached that level of fitness.

10 Natural Ways to Defy Your Age

Health and wellness coach Ellen Goldman has come up with 10 Natural Way to Defy Your Age. (I'm just going to hit the high points here, but feel free to read the entire article here.)

• Adjust Your Mindset: YOU Control How You Will Age 
• Exercise: The Fountain of Youth (Cardio, Weight Training, and Lifestyle Activities)
• You are what you eat, so feed your face (focus on foods containing vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and polyphenols)
• Get Your Beauty Sleep (work on getting 7-8 hours a night)
• Calm the Years Away: Deep Breathing, Meditation and Yoga (prayer is a great option as well)
• Take Care of Your Smile (the health of your mouth can also affect the health of your body)
• Protect Your Skin (and Eyes) from the Sun
• Don't Neglect Your Ears (By all means, enjoy listening to music--but turn down the volume)
• Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol
• Your Brain: Use It or Lose It ( Many habits, such as exercise and healthy eating, can keep our brain cells functioning well into our elderly years

I'm participating in "31 Days: A Writing Challenge,"  in which I 'll be blogging on the subject of Gracefully Aging every day during the month of October.  Click the button below for more information and links to each post as they become available!

Miscellany Monday: Things I'm loving right now

Linking up with Miscellany Monday with some things I've been loving lately:

Victorian mysteries: I can't remember just how I stumbled onto Anne Perry's Victorian mysteries, but I keep going to the library to get more!  I started with reading a couple of her Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books.  Then I discovered her William Monk series, and there's been no turning back.  Excellent storytelling, Victorian ambience, and vividly drawn characters.  So far, I'm loving them!

Interestingly enough, the writer herself was convicted of murder in 1954.  Complicated story, but I'm sure it gives a mystery writer a certain edge!

Bel Vita Breakfast Biscuits:  I am so loving these tasty, filling cookies.  They make a great breakfast on the go, or having a couple of them with coffee or tea for a snack.  They're very satisfying and nutritious!  Trouble is, I can't find them everywhere.

Getting together with friends:  Whenever I go for a while without a get-together with friends and/or loved ones, I feel it.  I NEED these times.  On Saturday, my husband and I went with our friends Tom and Kari, and my brother-in-law and sister-in-law Verlyn and Beth, for a late lunch at the wonderful Maggiano's restaurant in Schaumburg.

The food was delicious and the fellowship was wonderful.  Resolved: to make a point to get together with friends more often!

Kari, me, and Beth

Ross Dress for Less:   I had shopped at Ross in Texas, and was happy to see that a store finally opened where I live.

I am so impressed with the selection and the prices!  Recently I bought an awesome Levi denim skirt, which I will wear the heck out of all year long, for $19.99 (the suggested retail price was over 40 dollars.)

And you know how I've been wanting to wear a hat?  (Well, you know now!)  I found the cutest hat, that I'm going to wear for Easter, for $8.99!  Ross is awesome!

So those are just a few of the things I'm enjoying right now.  You can participate in Miscellany Monday too!