I reduced known health risk factors often associatd with a metabolic syndrome diagnosis though focused, disciplined behavioral changes without using any prescribed medications or supplements including vitamins.
Insights From Actions
> Daily Yoga, Better Nutrition Can Improve Health
> Health Further Enhanced By Reducing Weight
My recent April 3, 2017, annual physical and blood, urine assays indicated I had lowered blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglycerides.
Among other positive results, I also improved both HDL and LDL values and blood sugar levels.
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| Bob In 28th Month Of Yoga Activities Demonstrating Leg Lift With Deep Hip, Leg Range Of Motion 2013 Photograph by Eric LEcuyer [ www.ericlecuyer.com ] During April to June, 2016 Enjoying A More Lean, Still Strong & Mobile Body (See Recent Blogs, Asanas) Weight Loss To 126 Pounds - Reduced To High School Levels A Positive Outcome Through Yoga, Nutrition Focus |
My Approach
My yoga activities became a substitute for medical insurance for almost five years after my loss of employment as Morphologist from The Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, approaching 60.Medicare eligibility at 65 provided basic insurance coverage and led to an association with Dr. Jarrod Faucher, a Geriatric Specialist - my primary care physician.
Baseline values obtained from an April, 2016, physical and lab tests were both instructive and motivating - a recognition that improvements were possible by changing lifestyle choices.
I decided to modify not only what i ate but the quality and quantity of diverse foods in a disciplined manner with the goal of altering as many risk factors as possible.
Seeking out different nutrients and evaluating how i responded to them became a year long period of discovery that continues to evolve.
No Substitute For Informed Nutrition Choices
Nutrient rich plants became my main source of proteins, carbohydrates and fats required to maintain biological functions, my relatively healthy and lean body.
Daily water consumption was increased significantly and always included with each meal - two notable consequences of this additional hydration were an enhanced yoga mobility and less dry skin.
Recently, i began to add small amounts of local honey varieties from Hebert Honey to hot water providing flavor.
Recently, i began to add small amounts of local honey varieties from Hebert Honey to hot water providing flavor.
Discovering where to purchase many of my plant foods was solved in the town where I reside.
Arcade Snacks, My Primary Source Of Nutrients
I was first introduced to Arcade Snacks, a local business in Auburn, MA, at 205 Southbridge Street [ www.arcadesnacks.com , 508-832-6300 ] by a friend circa 2013 and have become a frequent patron: enjoying its excellent, friendly staff and diverse high quality products.
Over 90% of the plant nutrients i ate during each day were purchased at this facility in the form of nuts, seeds and dried fruits among other items - examples of these products are shown below:
Raw Nuts (Individual, Mixed Forms)
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| Among Raw, Unsalted Nuts Consumed By Me: Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Hazel Nuts Macadonia Nuts, Peanuts, Pistachios, Walnuts Also Various Mixed Nuts, Trail Mixes With Dried Fruits |
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| Chia, Flax And Sunflower Seeds Often Eaten Together Organic Granola Mix Only Recently Discovered, Enjoyed |
Dried Fruits
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| Cranberries And Jumbo Raisins Are Excellent Blueberries, Cherries, Figs Also Consumed Enjoy Medjool Dates Eaten After Refrigeration |
- The Paleo Collection (grain free granola: blend of nuts, seeds, fruit, spice) Gluten Free & Vegan and Hebert Honey [1]
- Salads (half portion, no dressings) at Panera Bread (Webster)
- Diversity of Fresh Fruits (small cup) at Kiwi Yogurt (Webster)
Two Books Worth Reading Re: Nutrition
> Food Rules An Eater's Manual by Michael Pollan (2009): Eat real food, mostly plants, in small amounts
> Salt, Sugar, Fat How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss (2013): 'Bliss' levels of salt, sugar, fat have been added to our foods at addictive levels based on biological research by food company scientists and have contributed to an alarming incidence of obesity, diabetes and other health risk factors among all age groups
> Salt, Sugar, Fat How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss (2013): 'Bliss' levels of salt, sugar, fat have been added to our foods at addictive levels based on biological research by food company scientists and have contributed to an alarming incidence of obesity, diabetes and other health risk factors among all age groups
Moving Forward, Several Goals:
- To maintain my weight within a narrow range that permits whole body yoga mobility - at, near high school levels (i move better when i weigh the least)
- To increase the types of foods i consume beyond plants and to incorporate select dairy, fish and lean meat sources in small quantities limited to several times each month
- To become better informed about the microbiome, ongoing research and the importance of bacteria species, their anti-inflammatory and epigenetic roles contributing to our health
A special acknowledgment to Ray Hoyt, my yoga instructor - as of today, for seven year, six months - for sharing his yoga and nutrition experiences and contributing in a major way to my current health, wellness through his actions and words.
#BobCrowther #Yoga #Nutrition #ArcadeSnacks #MetabolicSyndrome #MichaelPollan #MichaelMoss #RayHoyt
