Even though eat, sleep and move are the three basic things we need to do every day for good health, my concentration is on exercise. People do ask me about my eating and sleeping habits though since I’m in such good health for my age.
My routine is quite simple. I’m up by 6:00 and in bed by 10:00. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner – have honey on my toast every morning, a cookie after lunch, and dessert every night after dinner. I also have a glass of wine with dinner every other night and some vodka on the weekend. I cook from scratch daily – meatless every other night – don’t eat between meals, don’t eat junk or fast food.
Every morning I exercise before dressing (after my breakfast has settled and I’ve read the newspaper). The exercise I do gives me enough energy to get through my nine to five workday. I need my “three squares per day” because I’m very active.
What works for me though is not necessarily what everyone else should do. We’re all different and have different lifestyles. Get to know your own body and listen to it. After all, you’re the only one living in it. I’m sure it already lets you know what foods you prefer and those that disagree with your digestion. Once you start paying attention to what your body tells you it will also let you know the quantities of food you should be eating.
Here’s the rule to follow: Don’t eat more per day than you can burn off in a day.
- and memorize the definitions of the following two words -
APPETITE: a sensation based on previous experience of eating foods which are pleasant to the taste.
HUNGER: the need and desire to eat that the body feels when it hasn’t had food for some time.
(People who overeat and become too heavy might have the two words
confused!)
