PrintBy Shawn McKee
Staff Writer
As we age, time seems to move faster but our bodies seem to slow down; it’s nature’s cruelest joke. Although you can’t avoid aging, you can avoid feeling old, according to Dr. Steven Pratt, author of SUPERHEALTH: 6 Steps, 6 Easy Weeks, 1 Longer, Healthier Life.
“My belief is that no one should feel old until they’re 100,” says Pratt. “You’re never too old to start feeling young, nor too young to keep yourself from aging prematurely. SUPERHEALTH is not just about extending your life, but improving the quality of your life by showing you simple ways to feel good for the rest of your life.”
Research has shown that the synergy of the right foods, the right nutrients and the right lifestyle choices can help you take control of your health and lead to a longer, fuller, happier and more vital life, says Pratt.
If you’re not sure where to begin, Pratt sat down to give eDiets a few of the tips he outlines in his book. The good news is you won’t have to change your entire lifestyle or give up everything you like.
Your New Life Starts Now
The first thing Pratt recommends is making a commitment to change. Set realistic goals and realize your reason for change: to look better, feel better, live longer or all of the above! Next, understand that change doesn’t happen overnight. You have to walk before you can run.
“You have to ease into your new lifestyle. Gradually, change your habits or you will get overwhelmed and discouraged,” says Pratt. “It’s not like stopping drinking or smoking — you can’t simply flip a switch. You wouldn’t stick with it for very long, and this is a plan for the rest of your life.”
Eat Right, Live Better
If you owned a million dollar racecar, you would only fill it with the best fuel to keep it running perfectly, right? This is the comparison Pratt makes to how you fuel your body. Prevention is the best cure for most health problems people face.
Since eating all the right foods tomorrow is an unrealistic goal, Pratt suggests adding one super food a week to your daily diet. After only a few weeks, you’ll be eating much healthier and setting yourself up for success on the long road ahead.
Super Foods to Eat:
A green, leafy vegetable: “Spinach is best in class,” says Pratt. It’s loaded with nutrients, low in calories and contains plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids, which most people don’t get enough of. Pratt suggests eating spinach daily.
Food on-the-go: Walnuts are a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, as well as those omega-3s we need to eat. He recommends eating a small handful five days per week.
Berries: “There are no bad berries,” says Pratt. “They contain polyphenols, which help to lower inflammation, plus they supply fiber, vitamin c, nutrients and they taste good. Blueberries are best, but just find a berry you like; whether it’s fresh or frozen it doesn’t really matter.” Pratt suggests eating berries every day.
Four more super foods: Wild salmon, apples, yogurt and 100 calories of dark chocolate can all be enjoyed daily for great health benefits.
Move More, Live Longer
“All you have to do is get yourself moving,” Pratt says. “We were born to move. Our bodies are not designed to sit on the couch or in front of a computer all day.”
A recent Journal of the American Medical Association study showed that people who burned an extra 287 calories a day had a 32 percent lower risk of mortality as compared to those who move less, and the more you moved, the lower your risk. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to get exercise — you can literally do it anywhere.
“All household chores count as exercise. Take a walk every day. Mess around in the garden. If you’re going to talk on the telephone, stand up and move around while you’re talking,” he says. “I’m even doing stand-up sit-downs while we do this [phone] interview.”
Pratt says exercise is easy to do and that it’s crucial for longevity. It also increases blood flow to the brain, reduces stress and wards off depression. Make sure to start slow and build up.
“Just start walking,” says Pratt. “We were born to walk. Park your car further away at the grocery store or mall and walk. Window shop or adventure hike, make activities fun and find things you like to do.”
Whether you’re fine tuning or starting from ground zero, SUPERHEALTH can help you improve your quality of life.
“You’re not entitled to good health, you have to earn it,” he says. “But the effort is worth it and it’s not hard to do.”
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