Life In The 50s

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you're feeling a bit down about rounding the corner and coming into your 50th birthday, just remember this:  your 20s are for partying and mistakes, your 30s for going for what you want, your 40s for working out the kinks.  This leaves your 50s for taking all those experiences and making them work to your best advantage.  Your 50s is your time to live your life with gusto - travel, buy a motorcycle, climb that mountain, take those classes.  Make this decade YOUR own!

Pony Up and Pull Up Those Boot Straps

I snuck away for two days to take my mother on holiday; we celebrated her 87th birthday.  Anyone who knows my mother knows that she doesn't leave her house unless she is fully dressed, hair, makeup and lipstick 'just so'.  She's pretty sharp and has a better social life than most 25 year olds.  We had some time for good talk over the past couple of days and one of our conversations was about life's twists and turns and that there are two kinds of people in this world...those who pull themselves up and get pro-active when the going gets tough and those who allow themselves to unravel and fall into depression.  An 87 year old who lived through the depression and all life's twists and turns doesn't waste her time; she says exactly what she thinks and doesn't sugarcoat her lines.  I'm fortunate to have realized at a much younger age that this life is short; don't beat around the bush - be direct; and when the going gets rough and tough, pull up your boot straps and pony up for the ride of life.  I arrived back into the office this morning and a dear friend of mine had sent me the following quote from Yehuda Berg, which I thought was so approprois after my days with my mother.  I'm sharing this with you today:

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  "Life is filled with obstacles and tests that sometimes knock us off our feet. When we do lose our balance and fall flat on our faces, it’s important to stand up again rather than to sink into doubt and depression...and dust ourselves off.  Getting up again generates greater spiritual Light in the world than if we had never fallen in the first place. The fact that we fell is not what’s important. True greatness is in the act of rising again."
Oh....and by the way....my mother has known all along that I've been riding a motorcycle and was just waiting for me to tell her (my brother tattled on me).  She was both thrilled and horrified when seeing the bike, but really dug my rhinestone-studded helmet.  That's my mother!

Variety is the Spice of Life

Doing the same routine day after day is boring and mediocre.  Your brain goes to mush, your muscles are so used to the same exercise routine, your physique will never improve....you become one-dimensional and dull.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Stop being boring, dull and uninteresting.  Break up the boredom and shake up your life's routine.  Try two new activities this weekend.  Instead of the gym, go outside and jump rope, ride a bicycle or go for a hike.   Swich up that boring burger on the bbq and try a whole fish wrapped in herbs and fresh lemon for you and your friends.  Variety is the spice of life; it keeps us young, fresh and stimulates both mind and body.  Variety will keep you sharp, witty and interesting!

Make Someone's Day Special

This past weekend, I took my first two real motorcycle rides.  It's a bit daunting to be on the road, practicing downshifting, upshifting, braking...all on two wheels, going fairly fast and in traffic.  I was originally planning on going with just two other riders - one to ride in front of me and the other to take the back.  Well, before I knew it, there were two more riders who wanted to join along on the virgin ride.  It made me more nervous to think I might not brake quickly enough and smash into one of them.  Off we went up and down country roads, through curves and swerves, stop signs, lights...you name it.  All my riding companions went slow enough for my comfort level, but fast enough so I had to ride well enough to keep up the pace.  Every time we needed to stop for a light or stop sign, I was always asked 'are you ok?', 'do you want to keep moving'?  Their concern and camraderie was pretty amazing and touching.  The next day, I went out again with just one female rider who watched my back...it was up to me to learn the roads ahead, read and negociate the signs on the road and take on the swerves and curves.  By the end of the day, I was riding down the road, doing 55mph, experiencing all the different types of maneouvers I was taught in motorcycle safety school; the wind in my face and blowing bubbles from the bubble gum she gave me.  And there she was, riding at my back so no other vehicles would come close to me.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  You are blessed if you have comrades to help you through the daunting times of your life.  Embrace these people and appreciate them.  Then, when you are presented with an opportunity to help someone else, do it!  Remember, there was someone there for you!
A special thank you to all those wonderful riders who made my virgin rides memorable fun experiences I will take with me to a very old age.

Digging Dirt and Riding a Motorcycle

Just for fun today...I had the opportunity this weekend to help out some friends who needed work done in their dealership parking lot.  About 30ft by 4ft of years of accumulated dirt, vines, weeds and shrubs needed to be removed, so clients could park their motorcycles.  I volunteered to take on the task; I've had plenty of life experience weilding a shovel and spade and chopper; I haven't done this type of work in over 20 years and figured 'what the heck'?  After a few hours of chopping digging, sweeping and hauling dirt into a dumpster, I thought I'd take a break and take my virgin ride on my Buell Blast (500cc - just enough for me).  Having just obtained my motorcycle license a week ago, I practiced figure-8's over and over and over again in the parking lot until I was tired.  I then went back to my shovelling project.  Then, I polished the bike a little bit.  I did this seesaw of exercises all day long.  What I found out was this:  after a completely different activity, getting back onto the bike made the figure 8's easier and smoother.  Going back to my digging project gave me food for thought as I cleared more and more of the parking lot.  Polishing the bike was like prayer...silent meditative work.  At the end of the day, I felt great both physically and mentally...and slept great!  So...what's the point? 
Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Diversify your activities; do something different every day.  This will help you think out of the box and revisit a task or activity with a fresh mind and attitude.  Next week, I know I'm ready for some side streets on the bike.  I've got about 12ft more to go in the parking lot.  I'm going to detail the bike.  Then, I'm going to think about expanding my herbal garden this year and practice riding so that I can take the bike up to the farmer's market and poke around a bit.

Musings on the Eve of 49

Ancient numerology was based on denominations of 10. This theorum is still used today. But the number 9 was very special because it represented the completion of a cycle. 9 is the number that preceeds a new beginning, a new decade. It's a 'wrap up'. The number 4 traditionally represented the culmination of self (1) duality (2), the trinity (3) in the real world (4). The earth has 4 corners, the square is an equal and harmonized form containing equal sides and equal angles. The number 49 represents the 'wrap up' of the solid and formidable 40's. 49 is the last year before embarking into 50 (5 being the number of uncertainty and the number that represents man..head and limbs). No wonder everyone makes their stake in their 40's and has a midlife crisis when they hit 50...it's only natural.  Hence, as I turn 49 tomorrow I think back on all the sinful fun I've had in my life thus far...how to top all the unbelievable events I've experienced until now?? Well, I've decided to make a list of what I'd like to accomplish during my last year of my 40's:  learn Italian, no whining, have more patience, be a better golfer, keep hitting heavy bags, get a makeover, become stronger and leaner, learn how to ride a motorcycle (don't tell my mother!), be a better physician, a better friend, learn how to decorate cakes, take my bestest human friend back to France to see my beloved Provence, do more yoga.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: Whatever you've done and no matter who you are, there's always more. Make a list today and each day, try out a new idea or activity. See where it takes you. The unknown is exciting - go out on a limb. Embrace change and have the courage to tread unknown waters. Don't whine - it's boring.  Just think of all the fun you haven't even thought of having until this point!!  Tomorrow, I'm taking the day off.  Don't know what I going to do or where I'm going, but I'm going to do it with my bestest friend...I know we'll have fun! By the way...anybody got a creme for this turkey neck I seem to be getting the past 2 years??????!!!!

Motorcycle Zen

Very often, patients tell me they have no time to meditate - 'life' gets in the way.
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to hop on the back of a motorcycle for rather long periods of time over the two days.  As a passenger, I still must engage and participate with the driver; the bike, the passenger and the driver all must ride as one unit.  That being said, as a passenger, I also have the luxury of taking a good look at the scenery.  This past weekend, the leaves were orangey-red, bursting with specks of gold in sharp contrast to the green valleys and grey rocky mountains.  As we traversed through winding country roads flanked by rivers, streams or lakes, we enjoyed silent comradery at times.  This is when I found myself having one thought or emotion after another come to the front of my head.  As each thought or emotion arrived, I looked at it, engaged with it, allowed myself to 'feel' it, and then let it go.  At the end of the ride, I felt as if I had been sitting in zazen for hours, having thoughts and no thoughts; emerging from the experience feeling cleansed, the mind becoming an empty canvas ready to be painted with  imagination and naturalness.  It's Monday, and today I'm ready to reinvent a few aspects of my life.  Clear of the 'brain junk', I'm ready to push forward and create something extraordinary on that now-empty canvas.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  You don't have to sit in lotus pose for hours, nor do you have to get onto the back of a motorcycle to meditate.  Why not take your dog for a long walk in the park, or grab your significant other and walk or cycle in silent companionship.  Or just go take yourself for your own type of 'ride'.  But whatever you do, allow yourself to embrace, engage and let go of all the 'noise' in your head.  You'll arrive at your destination with a clear mind and a wonderful sense of peaceful contentment.

It's The Simple Things That Make a Difference

Wow!  What a fun weekend I had!  Swam a mile, made 3 pars on the golf course  (the other 15 holes we're not going to talk about), played tennis, cooked lunch for a boatload of people on the grill, went on an awesomely beautiful motorcycle ride, swam some more....oh yeah - and ate some really super cool meals!  Sounds like it was a big deal, but it really was the sum of many small events and the great company that made for a fabulous weekend.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Let's continue to appreciate those micro moments in life that make the entire picture so wonderful.  Whatever it was over your holiday weekend that you remember best with a smile, keep it in the front of your head and think of those memories often.  It's a child's smile, a dog chasing its tail, the sun setting behind the clouds, a kiss to remember....all those magical moments are what makes life beautiful.  Have a great week...get back with your healthy program and stay tuned for more healthy tips!

How To Hang on The Back of a Harley (Or...A Good Reason To Do Your Clamshells)

Yesterday evening was spectacular in Manhattan.  Blue skies, low humidity...a great day for a motorcycle ride.  So my cooler-than-cool boyfriend took us for a ride on his way-cool Harley Dyna Wide Glide.  It's a gorgeous handpainted green machine that sparkles in the sun it's so clean.  It has monkey bars (OOPS!  I'm supposed to call them APE HANDLES) and a clean, sleek seat.  Unfortunately for me, the back of that seat has approximately no more than 10inches to spare my big butt (and there's nothing behind me but the fender).  Needless-to-say, I'm always concerned that if we hit a pothole, my fat a.. is going to fall right off the back of that bike...not a very attractive way to go if you ask me!
So what's a girl to do????   CLAMSHELLS, BABY!  Hey, all those clamshells, adductor, abductor and quad strengthening exercises I've been doing to rehab from my knee surgery are really coming in handy on the back of that Dyna.  The easiest way to stay on the back of that bike is to sit up as far as you can (I've still got a spill of about 3 inches over the back of the seat), and squeeze the hell out of the driver with your thighs, so you're basically glued to him.  Strong glutes, abs and thighs make for a really fun motorcycle ride, and a safer one too...also makes for a pretty good date night ;).

So, here's your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Most of us complain about going to the gym and doing the 'boring stuff' like abs, leg work, glute work.  But hey, it pays off, cause when you're on the back of a Harley with the most coolest and sexiest guy around, you'll want to not only look good, you'll want to be able to ride with some class to your a..!
It's Friday....WHOOPEEEE!!!  Let's ride, baby!  vroom, vroom!!!