Five months along now on my journey from thirty nine years old to forty. The goal is to feel rejuvenated and strengthened, healthier and restored by my fortieth. I started with my diet by adding lots of good fats, fermented foods and a supplement of cod liver oil and simultaneously eliminated--for the most part--sugar and grains. It is obvious to me now just how critical a good diet is to my well-being. My energy and moods are critically impacted by what I eat and don't eat: plenty of good fats are as essential to an even temperament as sugars are to destroying a pleasant demeanor. And, as to my dental problems, I note now that if I cheat a bit too much on my sugar/grain intake, I will experience pain in certain teeth. Staying the course as much as possible.
And now for exercise. In my ideal world, there would long daily walks (barefoot) and I would bike to the grocery store or farmers' market each day for our food. Alas, this is not the season for such luxuries. But, I have really been interested in studying about biomechanics at the humorous and intelligent Katy Bowman's site, Aligned & Well. Through her work, I am learning an awful lot about anatomy, the interconnectedness of muscles, they way joints work and, frankly, that my hamstrings are really quite tight. So, each--well, most--morning I spend a time stretching, trying little by little to get my muscles to their optimal length so that they can support the work I demand of them. I am practicing ways to squat, lift, stand, and walk. The exercises are not difficult, but very practical and can be accomplished throughout the day without any special equipment and without leaving my home.
39 before 40:
6. Stretching and learning to use my body correctly.
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