The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner, Part 2

So what did Dan Buettner discover during his globe-trot? Well, like so much of what we know about good health most of it involves common sense. He ends the book with nine lessons, many of which I will pass on to you. Of course, I highly recommend this book because it’s content far surpasses my brief summaries.

Lesson one involves moving. He suggests making life a bit more difficult for yourself. Don’t just sit there. Get up to change the TV. Plant a garden. Ride your bike. Walk…walk…walk. Yes, all the successful centenarians he interviewed did, daily. He even suggests socializing when you walk and practicing yoga two times per week.

Lesson two’s topic is “hara hachi bu.” This is a term from Japan that translates into “stop eating when you’re 80% full.” Buettner offers wise suggestions for how to make this a reality, including only eating from small plates. He also recommends putting the food away after serving yourself the first time (to avoid returning for seconds…or thirds.) He recommends not having unhealthy foods around the house to avoid snacking temptations. He even recommends weighing yourself daily and being very mindful as you eat (i.e. eat slowly while sitting and without television).

What great ideas! I’ll pass on more in the next blog.

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