As a musician I am more than anxious about keeping healthy. I hate being sick or having allergies or other stuff that just digs into your day and makes you feel crummy. It’s especially awful if you are a singer…everything that happens to your body happens to your voice. Playing an instrument, like piano, doesn’t suffer quite as much but it’s still crummy having to perform not feeling well.

So I’ve always tried to eat healthy and do healthy things. About 3 years ago I decided it was time to lose an extra 50 lbs which somehow crept up on me and frankly, were not welcome! Harrumph! Since my head surgery I had been studying holistic medicine…Ayurveda etc. You learn about your body and what makes it tick. What foods work for your body type etc. I tend to run warm hence, why would I eat hot spicy foods? They make me feel hotter…and more irritable. I need to eat foods that make me cooler so to speak and keep me centered. So with this in mind and other readings I did, plus take a 10-day trial with Noom, I put together a spreadsheet of foods I ate and still do. I’ve always eaten mostly healthy. Got rid of a lot of processed foods and junk foods, although I kept a couple of junk things, hehe, and started my 18 month journey to lose 50 lbs. I did it too! After my latest back surgery I lost another 9 lbs but gained some of that back. So in total I’m down 50-55 lbs. I’m fine, I feel and look so much better and…don’t miss my previous self or foods I ate.

It feels different to not eat stuff I used to. You end up losing your taste for certain things too. My only snack nowadays is pita crackers and organic popcorn with olive oil and sea salt. After surgery I lost my interest in a lot of foods as well. Especially higher fat meats like red meat etc. Your body changes and you kind of reinvent yourself nutritionally. Hopefully for the better though! But I’m happier and I’m keeping the weight off. The body gets used to its new self and it’s easier to live your new, healthier life. And…you CAN splurge once in a while, like at those nice Greek festivals.

And of course one must stay active at least moderately. I have physical therapy exercises I do several times a week. Then walking…or even just running around my condo doing this, that and the other thing. You can also exercise in a chair watching TV. Cool!

All of this benefits everything you do. I’m hoping it’s helping my recovery from my latest back surgery. We need all the help we can get to live and stay healthy. It also helps me make better music when feeling good about me. I always said I’m not going to get old. Ok. I don’t think old or look old, and I just expect I’ll be a very good and healthy version of myself until the end.

What about you? Feel free to comment with your recipe for health and longevity. There are as many ways as there are individuals on this earth. What’s yours?

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