"The way we age now isn't just dumb; it's criminal.We are wrecking our own lives, wrecking the lives of those who love us, wrecking the economy.Gotta quit living like dopes." (Chris Crowley, Younger Next Year, Welcome to the revolution, p.Xix-xx).".Once you turn thirty, the quality of your life is up to you.It can and should be great if you decide not to give up but to take charge." (Dr.Harry Lodge, Younger Next Year, Welcome to the revolution, p.Xxii).Normal aging isn't normal.70 percent of serious illness is preventable-and we know what to do.Of all the health problems we suffer through and that often kill us, most are preventable.Diabetes, cancer, heart attacks, falls and fractures, strokes.These health problems are OUTRAGEOUS.Our normal way of life as Americans is killing us and costing us billions of dollars.Our "health care" system is primarily medical services that try to patch up the damage done, but our system is not a health care system.A health care system (vs.Medical system) would CARE about health, value health above all other values.A real health care system would provide the means to nurture and support health, prevent problems and help us save ourselves from needless suffering.More important-we would be in charge of our own healthy lives and our predominant experience would be joy, not suffering, even when we are eighty or ninety years old.Our lives belong to us, given into our care, not given into the care of physicians.Please note this important point about living longer, healthier lives. We have to be in charge of our own lives.(We have to live in our bodies and take care of our bodies not park them in a desk chair all day and in a recliner all evening.).Taking charge of our health means..Making healthy choices.Knowing enough to discern for ourselves what the healthy choice is for us in any given moment.Planning to live a healthy, enjoyable life all the way to the end of physical life as we know it.Support our plan with informed action.Have you given up? Is your story of aging, the story of life in your thirties, forties, fifties and beyond a story of decline? Do you believe the American story of aging? Do you believe that it is a normal part of aging to slow down and suffer aches and pains, weight gain and blood sugar problems, sagging skin and bags under your eyes, sitting on the sidelines in a chair while the rest of your (younger) family rides bikes, plays touch football, goes out to dine and dance?What's your intention? Do you plan to spend the end of your life in an assisted living facility, partially independent until you need more assistance and eventually a nursing home or hospital stay because your health problems have resulted in total dependence on medical intervention to keep you alive or help you die? Do you plan to become Drooling Dora or Dave?There is a happier story that's possible and a plan that is filled with common sense and fun.To get there from "normal aging" will require some effort on your part.If you don't already understand the biology of aging and how to move against decline and pain in your life, get yourself to a bookstore if you're a reader or to the internet for videos if you're not.If you prefer TV, start tuning in to the really good health information available there.Now.Take charge of the life that is yours.Taking charge of the life that is yours to live starts with tuning in to your desire to live a good feeling life and then acquiring the information you need to "write" your new health story.Spend just 15 minutes a day on this and move ahead towards the action you will take to live a long, full, rich and healthy life.
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