The big event for me this past week was turning 65. "The Dr. Oz" show was dark -- that means not taping shows, so had the freedom to travel on my birthday. The authorities in the USA force you to face reality. I thought: Why remind me? I eat healthy, do all three components of exercise shown to make a difference to health and longevity -- in fact I do 149 of the 151 choices that make your RealAge younger. But I've changed my mind. It's probably good, since over 85 percent of us do not make healthy choices routinely. This, in turn, ages us, increases medical and disability costs for all, and makes America less competitive for jobs.
For those not yet 65, the U.S. government says you have to sign up for your Medicare card, even if you have other health insurance or even if you are still working at a job that provides other health insurance, cause if you do not sign up within three months of your 65th, you will lose all social security benefits. At first I thought how ridiculous to force us to sign up -- it just costs the government dollars. But then I thought maybe this is good.
Yes my RealAge is 44.8, but having to get your Medicare card brought home this message: You better take care of yourself. You've got only one body to live in, and you need that body to keep your brain functioning, not to mention other vital parts. Nancy and I, along with friends (one of which wouldn't be around had he not adopted the "YOU Diet and exercise program" in 2002. After his 4th or 5th stent, he made his health his job and has reversed his coronary artery disease) celebrated with champagne in the warm weather spot of Palm Springs. Nothing better than celebrating with someone who you helped -- and all of us can reverse it -- as Dr. Essy (Esselstyn) says, "vascular disease -- stroke, heart disease, most memory loss, impotence and even a lot of wrinkling -- is a paper tiger reversed by lifestyle, especially nutrition. That's another reason to choose to Lose It and Move It in 2011. Yes celebrating with someone who is an embodiment of my life's purpose -- to help others get and stay healthy for themselves, and to make the U.S. more competitive for jobs -- is as good as it gets.
But there is more to tell you. Dr. Essy doesn't get enough credit -- except from former President Clinton -- for what he has done and is doing. The editorial he wrote in Cardiology probably says it all. Stents and coronary artery surgery will probably seem like a radical mastectomy. They are too radical and not appropriate for most. Food is not "Let's Make a Deal." You must totally avoid the five food felons -- saturated and trans fats, added sugars and syrups, and any grain but 100 percent whole grain -- it isn't that hard to do. Over 500 people in our Lifestyle 180 program are now doing it (and as Essy says it also, "avoid eating anything that had a mother"). And yes, walk and do a little resistance and cardio work as if it were your job, manage stress if you want to reverse and prevent the vascular diseases associated with heart disease, memory loss, stroke, impotence and the majority of wrinkles.
So I've made that new Medicare card my reminder -- every time I look at my wallet, I see it. Keep your New Year's resolutions for 2011 intact: smaller portions, and an extra 11 minutes of cardio every day. I've kept them so far, and it is already January 10th. The first 11 of what I hope is more than 11,111 days to go vibrantly. Heck by then it may be 33,333 days. Whatever, lets do it one day at a time, every day.
I urge you to make these choices while you can seize health. The admonitions -- eat smaller portions and mostly vegetables -- will allow you (and me) the energy and health to enjoy life, Jon Stewart, Dr. Oz, friends and the purposes in life you choose.