Is there a Cholesterol Cover-Up?

I’ll bet there are tens of millions of baby boomers who take medication – e.g., statins – to control serum cholesterol levels. For several years I was one of them. Now I wonder if statins are the wrong solution for the wrong problem.

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This Boomer is Barefootin’ for Good Health

One of the benefits of publicly writing about baby boomers and retirement is that I receive press releases and emails about new books, products and services that may of interest to those who read here. I read all of them and in a few cases, I request additional information about something that appeals to me. That was the case recently when I received a press release about BAREFOOTERS®, a radically different shoe. The manufacturer was kind enough to send me a sample pair. I have worn them now for almost two months. I really like them. You might also. I will tell you why.

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Have You Had a Mental Health Tune-Up?

A short piece in the New York Times prompted me to follow-up with a brief “mental health” story about me. First, let me propose to you that almost everyone of us – boomers and elders included – could benefit from an occasional mental health check-up and tune-up.

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At the Boomer Weight Loss Finish Line

When I weighed myself this morning, I was within the range of typical fluctuation around my high school weight of 165 pounds.  This was the goal I established on January 2.  I have lost 26 pounds in three months. I have also met another goal: I can now fit comfortably in pants having a 32″ waist, the size I wore all through high school, early adulthood, and  again 18 months ago before I started all of my stress eating. (Again, not bragging here but trying to motivate others.) However, I am not stopping my weight loss plan just yet.

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Are You Meditating for Improved Health?

One key item on my personal transformation agenda over the past 14 months has been mindfulness meditation. I developed my personal meditation practice somewhat by accident. In February 2012 I met a psychotherapist who also happened to be a serious Zen practitioner. That encounter caused to me to begin reading about Zen Buddhism which, as you may know, places meditation at the center of its practice.

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More Weight Loss Progress

I continue to progress on my weight loss plan. I lost another 9 pounds in February. (I hope these reports are more motivating than they are boring!)

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Weight Loss Progress

Not trying to boast here – just trying to stay motivated and perhaps help kick start a reader who wants to improve their personal health platform for a better retirement. I’ve made some progress. Read more

Give Yourself a Longevity Test

I like Dr. Mercola’s newsletter because he regularly brings some new information to light about our health, including how to measure it. Today he introduced a simple longevity test that you can take at home in about 30 seconds. Curious? I sure was and I took the test myself. So can you.

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This Boomer’s Fading Caffeine Dependency

At age 62, and being married to someone with significant health problems, I am acutely aware of the lifestyle impairment and expense issues associated with poor health and old age. This is one reason why I am trying to do a better job now with my own health, to avoid or at least significantly delay health-related problems in my own life.

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Baby Boomer Weight Loss

I am nine days in to my 2013 weight loss program. I have done this before, losing 52 pounds several years ago using a combination of exercise and a daily eating limit of 1,500 calories. In 2012, I gained close to 20 pounds, most of which I attribute to stress eating. (Someday I may write more about that.) This means that have some clothes that do not comfortably fit me. I want to fit in those clothes again so that I do not feel compelled to replace them. I don’t like buying clothes.

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