Several times a year I have to attend classes or read material in order to keep my license(s) current. Most of the time it's a matter of enduring the pain of sitting and listening to some of the worst presentations in the world. I have wondered on far too many occasions how such poor presenters not only get their job but more importantly, how do they keep their job?  However, this past week I attended one presented by the Institute of Natural Resources (INR) that was really quite good and informative. I thought I might just share some of the facts from the seminar with you as we get ready to gorge ourselves over the holidays :-)

The most depressed female in our society today is perimenopausal - the stage of a woman's life several years before menopause. It usually starts in a woman's 40's, but sometime can start in the 30's.

The most depressed male is when he turns 50. Physical problems kick in when he finally realizes he can no longer do what came easy to him, his testosterone decreases, his career plateaus, and he realizes he might die before the Texas Aggies win a championship again. (I had to throw that personal one in there).

Our basic problem today with our bodies is that we were genetically coded to be cave men and cave women. Our basic genetics haven't changed in millions of years. They had to eat and drink to survive, often going days without either one. They were hunters and gatherers. They often would travel miles and miles a day. Their average age expectancy was 27 years with their death certificate stating the saber tooth tiger was the cause. 

Our life expectancy is 78.3. This has increased from 47.3 since the year 1900 primarily because of the discovery of antibiotics. The main difference between us and our ancestors is that we are sedentary (only 22% of American's exercise regularly) and eat and drink like we're starving. As a result, most American's fall in the overweight or obese weight range (BMI of 25 or above or a waist size of 40 or more for men and 35 for women). One hundred percent of the women who are obese will die from Alzheimers and only 50% of men (if they both live that long). As a result of our eating and no exercise diets, heart attack/stroke is the number one killer when combined, even over cancer.

Now the good news. There are 70 thousand centenarians living in the US today, with 50% living by themselves. Here is what they have in common in order of importance: 

1. Low blood sugar (no diabetes)

2. Blood pressure within normal range (Systolic less than 120 and Diastolic less than 80)

3. Blood cholesterol low in overall as well as LDL (the bad kind)

4. Low level gum disease

5. Non-smokers

6. Drink less alcohol

7. Keep their weight steady

8. Healthy Diet (eating less calories, eating more fruits/veggies, taking vitamins)

9. Exercise regularly

10. Sleep well

11. Challenge their mind (they subscribe to my blog :)

12. Stay positive in attitude

13. Less stressed

14. Social and friendly (unlike some of you :)

So, as Tim McGraw's song suggests - "Live like your dying"

Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God. You do not belong to yourselves but to God; he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God's glory.   1 Corinthians 6:19

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

rb