Diet and Exercise

Frequent questions about diet and exercise have been showing up in my inbox, so I decided to share another post on those subjects.

Before my recent bout with a virus and pneumonia, I would go for a brisk three-mile walk every morning and a shorter one later in the evening. I don’t have the energy for that right now, and the coughing hasn’t ceased, but I am slowly getting stronger. A couple of days ago, I began taking slow and careful short walks. I snapped this photo when I returned from an early morning walk through my deserted neighborhood yesterday morning. I never see anyone out and about before sunrise, so it’s a bit like having the world to myself.

Most of my exercise comes from moving all day naturally. I rarely sit still for more than an hour. I climb the stairs many times each day, clean my house, garden a little, and go for a walk at least once a day. When I think about it, I do some stretches to stay flexible and work on my balance.

Another question I get often is, “What do you wear to exercise or to lounge around?” The answer is street clothes. I don’t recall ever owning a pair of sweat pants and only have one pair of rarely worn black leggings to pair with long sweaters or tunics.

Comfort is a priority for me when I go for my morning walks. A hat keeps my hair out of my face, and the New Balance walking shoes are supportive. I always wear Active-X no show socks here when I walk since they never slip.

I’ve learned to wear tops with a scoop or V-neckline when I walk. Slightly more fitted clothing is so much more comfortable on long walks. Nothing is more irritating than crewneck tops that ride up and choke you as you walk or loose-fitting pants that can make you stumble. I liked this top so much; I bought several different colors. It is here. My jeans are here. Similar walking shoes are here. My hat is here. The no-show athletic socks are here. I’m not wearing any makeup, but I cleanse my face when I get up each morning and before I go to bed. My skincare routine is here.

The answer to “What do you eat?” is, “Mostly vegetables.” I have about a half cup of Eden Organic, no salt added beans at almost every meal. Since they have been pressure-cooked, I can digest them easily.

Whole grain barley is a rich fiber source, and it contains copper, vitamin B1, chromium, phosphorus, magnesium, and niacin. Hulled barley undergoes minimal processing to remove only the inedible outer shell, leaving the bran and germ intact. Soak 1 cup of barley in 2 cups of water overnight in a covered container in the refrigerator. Drain and rinse it before cooking until tender. This amount will provide multiple servings, which can be stored in the fridge and quickly reheated over the next three days. Barley is one of the only grains or cereals I can eat without digestive issues. Grains are problematic for lots of people.

Other items that are always in my pantry or fridge include butternut squash or acorn squash, broccoli, walnuts, pecans, brazil nuts, and pistachios. I often have baked sweet potatoes for breakfast. Carrots, celery, cucumbers, radishes, or other crunchy vegetables are always excellent accompaniments to vegetable dishes.

Here is an earlier post about my recent food choices. I tried to share additional information today.

I never eat pork, beef, or types of meat other than wild-caught fish or pasture-raised chicken (the latter on rare occasions). Never use artificial sweeteners, or sugar, drink sodas, diet, or otherwise. I rarely eat bread, pasta, or use any condiments. I do share a special dessert with Mr. Mickey occasionally, and I have a glass of red wine with meals on the weekend.

On most days, I eat breakfast a couple of hours after I wake up, usually at about 6:30. I eat lunch at about 2:00, and then I don’t eat again until the next morning. I drink a lot of water early in the day but not so much after about four. I find that I sleep much better on an empty stomach, and not drinking water later in the day means I don’t have to get up during the night.

Allowing the digestive tract to rest a few hours between meals allows energy to go toward healing other parts of the body. Not eating in the evening has always been the healthiest option for me. Read more about intermittent fasting here.

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