How do you accept change as you age?

If you do nothing else, please, please check out drmcdougall.com. He isn't the only doctor recommending his way of eating but he has a really good website. The whole foods, plant based diet with no added oils works for everything so it's really simple to manage. No need to have a separate diet for each condition. It's the way we're meant to eat. If we put super expensive rocket fuel in our cars, it won't end well. Same goes for our bodies. That's my rant. Last time I'll mention it.

@amanda Thanks! I was trying to see how I could copy and paste your name in here but could find now way to do that so had to manually type it in. Is that the way it usually is?

I was thrilled to see Mayo Connect putting out that information on dietary needs. And the accompanying warning about fads and fakirs ( Indian word for fabulists). The hair on the back of my neck stands up when I see a TV doctor selling their latest miracle routine. Making money on the vunerable. There is no magic. No quick fix. The secret is a balanced intake. DASH Mediterranean any similar life long plan to a long healthy life Stay the course. Not on off. Consistency. Check with your health provider. Let them set your caloric and nutritional limits. We're not cookies everyone is different.

My junk folder is full of revelations by "famous doctors" about some food that's killing me or how I should stop exercising immediately. People are so desperate to feel well that they will fall for anything. We have been conditioned to believe that there is a magic "pill" for everything. The idea that we simply have to make the right choices, day after day, meal after meal is kind of foreign to our culture but it is the answer and it's not difficult, as you say. Just stay the course.

My junk folder is full of revelations by "famous doctors" about some food that's killing me or how I should stop exercising immediately. People are so desperate to feel well that they will fall for anything. We have been conditioned to believe that there is a magic "pill" for everything. The idea that we simply have to make the right choices, day after day, meal after meal is kind of foreign to our culture but it is the answer and it's not difficult, as you say. Just stay the course.

@starchy Yes, "We have been conditioned to believe that there is a magic "pill" for everything." That's our instant gratification culture!

My PT & I had this discussion last week. My pain doc asked at our recent (virtual) appointment whether I attribute my improvement to the new med or the PT sessions - I told her honestly, it's 50/50 PT & exercise, maybe 10% the meds. The meds just took the edge off the pain so I could move enough to get started. The PT got me on the right track with correct exercises & proper form, and he has magic fingers when dealing with specific pain issues, but without 2-3 times daily exercises at home & walking, I wouldn't be seeing nearly as much progress.
I repeat the PT + exercise mantra endlessly to the hip replacement group too - they are probably tired of hearing it! I have now rehabbed successfully from 11 ortho surgeries for injuries and/or arthritis damage, and every single one required at least 2 months of at-home daily exercise - my knee took 6 months twice a day & 6 months once a day to get back to full function after an ACL replacement and MCL repair from an bad sports injury - and I was 25 years younger then.

The same is true for diet. I have avoided all the fads - to the point where I was reluctant to go wheat-free about 10 years ago, but listened to my daughters and tried it (I have a wheat allergy, not celiac.) As for the rest of our eating, we eat what I call a "plant rich" diet, but are not vegetarian. Cookies and the like are a very occasional treat - our big indulgence is 2 dark chocolate sea salt caramels after dinner, or a small Dove sorbet bar.

Meat is on our plates about 4 times a week, fish or shellfish once, no meat at all twice. A single chicken serves the 2 of us for 3 meals - first time roasted, then the rest is diced, frozen & served in wild rice salad or stir-fry. Chili made with 2 pounds of meat & 2 pound of beans also makes 4 dinners for 2 - 2 to eat, and 2 for the freezer.

We do most of our shopping at a locally owned produce/meat/bakery shop. On our counter today are tomatoes, cucumber & peppers from the garden, avocado, green beans, peaches and grapes. Any bread is 100% whole grain (not my husband's favorite, but I do the shopping) or gluten-free breads made with a variety of grains as well as veggies.

Our kids have gone through a number of "phases" but now eat much like we do - except both have a much higher tolerance for making a big batch of something and eating it for 4 days in a row than their Dad.
Sue

@starchy Yes, "We have been conditioned to believe that there is a magic "pill" for everything." That's our instant gratification culture!

My PT & I had this discussion last week. My pain doc asked at our recent (virtual) appointment whether I attribute my improvement to the new med or the PT sessions - I told her honestly, it's 50/50 PT & exercise, maybe 10% the meds. The meds just took the edge off the pain so I could move enough to get started. The PT got me on the right track with correct exercises & proper form, and he has magic fingers when dealing with specific pain issues, but without 2-3 times daily exercises at home & walking, I wouldn't be seeing nearly as much progress.
I repeat the PT + exercise mantra endlessly to the hip replacement group too - they are probably tired of hearing it! I have now rehabbed successfully from 11 ortho surgeries for injuries and/or arthritis damage, and every single one required at least 2 months of at-home daily exercise - my knee took 6 months twice a day & 6 months once a day to get back to full function after an ACL replacement and MCL repair from an bad sports injury - and I was 25 years younger then.

The same is true for diet. I have avoided all the fads - to the point where I was reluctant to go wheat-free about 10 years ago, but listened to my daughters and tried it (I have a wheat allergy, not celiac.) As for the rest of our eating, we eat what I call a "plant rich" diet, but are not vegetarian. Cookies and the like are a very occasional treat - our big indulgence is 2 dark chocolate sea salt caramels after dinner, or a small Dove sorbet bar.

Meat is on our plates about 4 times a week, fish or shellfish once, no meat at all twice. A single chicken serves the 2 of us for 3 meals - first time roasted, then the rest is diced, frozen & served in wild rice salad or stir-fry. Chili made with 2 pounds of meat & 2 pound of beans also makes 4 dinners for 2 - 2 to eat, and 2 for the freezer.

We do most of our shopping at a locally owned produce/meat/bakery shop. On our counter today are tomatoes, cucumber & peppers from the garden, avocado, green beans, peaches and grapes. Any bread is 100% whole grain (not my husband's favorite, but I do the shopping) or gluten-free breads made with a variety of grains as well as veggies.

Our kids have gone through a number of "phases" but now eat much like we do - except both have a much higher tolerance for making a big batch of something and eating it for 4 days in a row than their Dad.
Sue