Here’s how I plan to live to be 100.
Early in life, there are numerous milestones as you climb the chronological calendar.
When you turn 16, you are eligible to get a driver’s license.
Photo: Getty / Westend61
At 18, you’re able to register to vote.
I’m talking the half-a-century mark.
That’s right, the colonoscopy, followed by other blood tests to create baselines for future follow-ups.
Did I mention that I also received my AARP welcome packet?
With all of that said, I lead a very healthy lifestyle.
Here’s what learned from trying it for just three weeks.
First, WhatIsthe Blue Zone Diet?
He dubbed these locations “blue zones.”
We’ll get to those shortly.
And while I do occasionally consume beef, it’s not the norm.
Or so I thought, as meat provided the bulk of my protein consumption daily.
As for nuts, that was already my go-to snack choice.
At least I was doing one thing right.
Prior to starting this journey, my daily meals followed more of a reduced-carbohydrate-based diet.
My breakfast would include a couple of eggs and bacon (another thing I needed to eliminate).
Snacks throughout the day would entail a handful of nuts or a spoonful of peanut butter.
Can you see the relative absence of fruits in that itinerary?
I also added a small salad.
Dinner:
This meal was nearly the same as lunch.
Instead, I would consume the occasional diet soda or iced tea.
I began by trying to offset any soda with an equal amount of water with each meal.
I also started drinking a glass of red wine with dinner.
Old habits are hard to break, as routines are easy and comfortable.
Breaking out of our comfort zones allows us to discover new things about ourselves.
With three weeks, it’s hard to ascertain the long-term benefits of this blue zone diet.
And, most importantly, I already feel better.
Perhaps, I’ll share my long-term results in an updated story six months or a year from now.
Until then, here’s to the next 50 years.
