The Secret to Aging and Wellness

It took me 30 years to develop this “healthy aging pillar” approach

I had a visit with my naturopathic physician this week. Six months ago, we made some changes to my supplement routine based on test results I received from Function Health. This was a routine visit to catch up on any changes.

The Only Way To Know If You’re Feeding Your Body Well

I completely believe we should be testing to find the start of minor issues, to handle it before it becomes a full-blown problem. That’s what Function Health believes, and they provide 100+ lab tests to give biomarkers in every facet of health. Then, at the six-month mark, you return for a follow-up lab visit to relook at the most crucial results. All for one low fee.

It gives you a way to improve the areas that might need improving. To stay as well as possible, for life. All for a reasonable cost! (These are tests your doctor will probably refuse, and the price is lower than anything traditional Western medicine could ever match. My naturopathic physician has been super impressed by their service.)

Yes, after working with Function Health for a full year cycle, I can honestly say it’s a GREAT experience. It’s what we need right now in a country with the highest healthcare costs in the world.

In America, the average monthly premium for a 40-year-old is $539 a month, or roughly $6,468 a year. As a 50-something, my payments are considerably higher, and I also have a sky-high deductible. I keep it only for emergencies, and trust me when I say it would have to be a true emergency before I ever went into this “sickness” system.

I know I don’t have to tell you this, but something is wrong. VERY wrong. And visiting my holistic doctor only reminded me of this once again.

We’re focusing on the WRONG things and it shows.

In Clayton M. Christensen’s book Innovator’s Prescription, he talks about the current health insurance situation:

“There are more than 9,000 billing codes for individual procedures and units of care. But there is not a single billing code for patient adherence or improvement, or for helping patients stay well.”

Shocking. (But not really.)

What is healthy aging?

When my dad died at 54, I went looking for answers. Having someone you care deeply about die young does something to your approach to life.

At every turn, I found a-ha moments that made me radically change my approach.

• I eliminated red meat when I discovered the World Health Organization lists red meat as a group 2a carcinogen.

• I became vegetarian, moved to vegan, and currently consider myself to be a whole-food, plant-based eater when I found out heart disease is both treatable and preventable.

I was reading a story the other day about a woman who suffered a heart attack. Her family quickly jumped in to help her, stating, “She needs to start eating better.”

This is common in Western societies. We wait until there’s a problem, then try and find the solution. The entire system was built around reactionary advice rather than approaching life through wellness.

Wouldn’t it be easier to avoid the problem in the first place?

Why eat red meat until you’re diagnosed with cancer? Why eat fried foods until they tell you your arteries are clogged? Why stuff your pantry with ultra-processed foods while chronic conditions build?

Yes, I’ve been asking these questions for three decades. All of it has led me to create my own internal pillars of wellness.

I believe the future of aging and wellness is gorgeous! I believe that to be proactive means you take control of everything you do right now:

• Eating

• Supplementation

• Exercise

• Mindfulness

• Self-care

• How you act

• How you live

• Critical thinking

• Learn to use “yes” and “no” so it benefits you and your family

There is no such thing as perfect health. We all have our ups and downs throughout life.

But what you CAN do is take control over your life and give yourself every advantage to aging well.

This is what I do – this is my advice.

Healthy Aging Pillar #1: Walk

Walking is one of the most healthy activities you can do. And you can do it easily just by changing your lifestyle.

Let’s talk about the 10,000 steps rule. It surfaced several years ago with the advancement of wearable technology. I jumped on the wearable craze (and bounced back off, but that’s for another post.)

I don’t know if the 10,000 steps rule is accurate - there are a lot of arguments about it online - but what I do know is that if I push myself to get 10,000 steps each day, I feel better.

So I walk each morning after writing for a couple of hours. The fresh air and sunshine revitalize me and lift my spirits. It also helps if I’m stuck in my writing – I always come up with great ideas when I talk with friends or just watch nature in all its glory.

A body is meant for activity. And walking is a pillar for making sure I stay active. So why not do it? Set your life up to get it done each day.

Healthy Aging Pillar #2: Strength

For a body to stay strong, you have to push it to increase endurance. I’m not talking about becoming a bodybuilder here, but moving your muscles and getting a full-body strength training workout three times a week does your body good.

You don’t even have to go to the gym. I’ve invested in a few inexpensive items. I have adjustable weights, bands, and the internet. Do a search, and you can find a vast array of credible trainers who will show you how to use strength training as a part of your routine.

I don’t want to spend hours in the gym. In fact, I prefer to have as much fun as I can outside. So I mix it up whenever I can.

The more you learn, the more you’ll discover what it takes to get a workout in, and feel better if you’re doing something about it. I’m in tune with what it takes to walk 10,000 steps. I know what it feels like to stretch and strengthen. And I’m conscious of doing things whenever I can.

I sometimes get in a few sets of pushups waiting for my water to boil for tea – why not multitask when you can!

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Healthy Aging Pillar #3: Nutrition

Knowing I talk about plant-rich food regularly, you knew food would be on this list.

I honestly don’t believe there is one right way to eat. I feel we’re just starting to understand what good nutrition is, and how our current approach is wrong.

In general, the closer you can get to source, the better. If you eat things that consist of one ingredient, it’s healthier than a box created from multiple ingredients. An apple will be better than a cupcake. Broccoli will be better than a can of soup.

It’s also about supplementation. Because of our approach to farming today, the soil is unhealthy at best. The vitamins, minerals, and nutritional conditions aren’t near what they were decades ago.

That means if you want good nutrition, you’re going to have to take control yourself. Audit what you currently eat, remove the worst, and start filling it with whole foods and supplements. Then test occasionally to ensure the right nutrients are making their way in.

That’s what I’ve done with Function Health. And a little help from my naturopathic physician.

This isn’t an easy process. It takes work. Subscribe here to stay up to date on everything I’m learning. We’re in this together.

Healthy Aging Pillar #4: Test

You can eat well, exercise, do everything right, and still have problems.

Studies show that indoor air quality is often some of the worst quality air you can breathe. Considering most of us spend as much as 90 percent of our time indoors, you have to pay attention to how you can improve it.

For me, it starts with plant-based living. When you’re aware of toxins in your water, your food supply, and what you take in each day, you’ll quickly find toxins can be everywhere.

It matters what you wash your clothes in, how you clean your house, what’s in your new decor, and what you glide onto your skin. It matters what fabrics you choose, and how they are produced.

This understanding doesn’t come overnight; many start discovering the real problem through disease. Your body has so many hidden secrets, and it’s hard to understand it all while you’re changing. Unfortunately, you don’t want chronic conditions to begin when you could have reacted earlier.

That’s why I firmly believe in testing to learn more about who you are. Hello, Function Health! And to my naturopath!

We’re living in times where average Western medicine won’t want to test you – I’ve had doctors tell me no, it was silly to test. Yep, I believe they are part of “the system.” The system that works to keep you sick.

Whenever I find them, I find new doctors.

Fortunately, if you look hard enough, you can find people who believe as you do. Keep talking until you find people you can trust.

Once you get to know your body inside and out, you’ll feel better about your results.

Healthy Aging Pillar #5: Self-care

I don’t think nearly enough emphasis is placed on self-care. Too many people think it’s frivolous, only for those who have too much time on their hands.

I’m a wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend, and business owner. I lead a very busy life.

I know that I won’t give those around me my best if I’m not at my best.

If I care for my well-being, I have more to give to those around me.

That’s why I have a fairly disciplined routine I stick to every day.

It includes 8 hours of sleep, meditation, journaling, stretching/yoga, walking, personal writing, and personal reading. I eat good food and take health supplements. I know when I need something, and I’m not afraid to take it.

Really, that’s what self-care is all about. It’s about making sure your work/life balance is in balance. That you’re paying attention to all areas of your life. Including you!

Healthy Aging Pillar #6: Awareness

I think it started when my dad died at 54 of a massive heart attack. The only question that kept popping up in my mind was: Why?

And the questions have never stopped. That “Why” led me to change how I eat, how I live my life, and the questions I ask.

When everyone else zigs, I zag. I’ve long since been a pioneer in creating my own road.

I remember when I first started learning about glyphosate. Glyphosate is the active chemical used in Roundup. It’s the most widely used pesticide on the planet, with more than 280 million pounds of the stuff sprayed on US agricultural lands alone. This amount of spray would be bad enough, but it gets worse. Roundup Ready crops (a patented line of genetically modified crop seeds that are resistant to its glyphosate-based herbicide) were launched in 1996, and now incorporate most of the soy and corn production.

Soy and corn are in most standard Western foods. That means most of us consume a lot of glyphosate every day, even if you’re trying to avoid it. It’s linked to cancer, infertility, premature birth, sperm count decline, kidney disease, liver disease, neurological disorders – and that’s just the start.

Here’s the thing: When I started asking “Why,” it led me to make one change in my life. Way back from my early days, it began with banning red meat from my diet.

Which led me to so many other “Whys.” (Like avoiding glyphosate wherever I can.)

This has been a process since I asked my very first “why” all those years ago when I lost my dad. That 30-year-old me is nothing like the me I am today.

Every year, as I learn, I make lasting changes.

But it all starts with, “Why?”

I ask “Why” before I visit a doctor – Is this the right doctor for me? Will I take their advice? Will they provide me with answers to my questions? Will they offer me options and solutions?

I ask “Why” before I select food. What are the ingredients? How is the product made? How will it impact my energy? Will it help me thrive?

I ask “Why” before I accept any remedy. Does this make sense? Will it fully heal/cover/protect me? Will it push me to a better place, or will it leave me with other conditions?

Wellth is all about creating the best YOU. It’s about your health, your lifestyle, your relationships.

You can’t have Wellth if you don’t first ask questions. Wellth starts with critical thinking and a curious mind.

If this has you thinking, I have a gift for you. I invite you to start the process with my 7-day Foundational Wellness Class. You can sign up now for free.

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