Note to Self (And Anyone Else Who Needs a Reminder)

I'm a little "exhausterated", or run-down, in common parlance. I just sort of expired yesterday after work. I have been quite busy, personally and professionally, since July and this past month was a REAL whirlwind. So I put myself to bed before 10pm last night and vowed to recapture a higher energy level.

Fortunately, I had a light workload today and am able to keep my word to myself. I'm still feeling a little beat, and I noticed that the scale has decided it wants to creep up just a bit from its regular number. So, I am taking it easy today and reminding myself, and anyone else who is of a like mind, some of the guidelines that I think help to keep us in "gran' champeen" (sic.... "grand champion") health.

Ahem...Please Note...I am NOT a doctor and I am NOT a nutritionist. I am a reasonably healthy person with an interest in good food and good living and adhering to these points makes me feel like I am doing something right. So I am really just prattling on and patting myself on the back for having figured it all out(yawn). Really, what do I know? Read this for your own amusement and then talk to someone smarter than I (like your MD) for real advice customized to your needs:

1. SLEEP: Nothing is better for your immune system or your complexion than quality, uninterrupted slumber. Take it from me, I am a recovering insomniac, and I know a thing or two about sleep deprivation. Figure out how many hours you need and be greedy about getting that much sleep, every night. My problem is I get lost in music or some project and then realize I've missed my bedtime when it's already too late.
2. DON'T EAT A LOT: Eat regularly...all 3 meals. Eat well...do not skimp on quality. But don't eat a lot. Gluttony shows up on your frame and eventually on your doctor bill. I really have to remind myself to take my own advice on this, especially as the seasons change and we spend more time indoors.
3. LISTEN TO THE WACKOS WITHOUT BECOMING ONE: In my early twenties I read every quasi-hippie-ish book on nutrition I could get my hands on. There are some way-out diets out there that you'd never want to follow to the letter, but many of them have important kernels of truth. I'm convinced that the acid/alkaline balance that the macrobiotic people talk about, does, in fact exist. I'm certain some foods encourage inflammation of your internal organs. Some people should probably avoid meat or at least make it an infrequent treat. Ditto glutenous grains. Ditto alcohol.
4. MANUFACTURED SUGAR MAKES YOU SICK AND UGLY: Fortunately, I don't have a health condition that forces me to read every label all the time, but I can tell a piece of junk when I see it, and I like to give it a wide berth (i.e. soda pop, candy, packaged convenience foods). Sugar makes you fat. Sugar contributes to illnesses. Sugar puffs you out, including the tissue in your face, making you look doughy. It will be a tedious and short-lived exercise to avoid it completely unless you are a diabetic or an especially iron-willed individual, but don't go looking for trouble.
5. ONE IS MEDICINE, TWO IS POISON: My father often repeats that phrase in regards to alcohol, and I'm sure he's right. There are some health benefits to moderate drinking, if you are able to do so, but moderate means MODERATE...as in, ONE. Maybe two if you are a 6'3" 200 pound man. You don't get better resveratrol levels in your system if you kill the whole bottle of shiraz. You just get more sugar. Please re-read Point No. 4 about the doughy, puffy look.
6. YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME FUN: Don't swear off dessert. But only have it once or twice a week. And make it a darn good one. Or have a half portion and eat so slowly that you think it's bigger. Don't ruin Thanksgiving by only picking at the green beans and insulting your grandmother who created this feast just for you. Don't be rude, just give in and eat. But freeze or give away the leftovers, don't keep feasting for 4 days straight.
7. MOVE IT OR LOSE IT: Move it or lose what, you ask? Well, lose your health, lose your flexibility, lose your properly-proportioned physique. I don't go to a gym. Yoga upsets me ("Quit telling me to breathe, you bossy guru-wannabe!"). But I walk everyday. Cooking is a somewhat physical endeavor (When I grate over a pound of cheese by hand, I get sore triceps! Really!) I try to hike every weekend. Could I be doing more? Sure. But I am doing stuff I can stick with every single day and not feel over-burdened by. I think that's the key...find something, anything that's not a burden on your life, even if it's not perfect, and do it regularly. And up the ante every once in a while. My lazy fanny is due for a more challenging hike this weekend.
8. STRESS IS THE ENEMY: Don't like your job? Quit! Worried about money? Don't live so fancy. OK...I am not great at controlling my own stress, I am a card-carrying natural worrier, but stress messes you up in more ways than you realize. You already know about the heart-disease connection, but stress also keeps you from losing weight (cortisol, the stress hormone makes your body hold onto fat), makes you crave more food, makes you crave junk food, and puts lines in your face. I have no medical training or evidence to bolster my point, but I'm personally convinced that excessive stress so messes up your insides it confuses your cells and contributes to cancer. Plus, it often makes people surly and inconsiderate. So maybe we should all quit our jobs and not live so fancy.