Just over 3 years ago Henry (senior) had at his own self admission reached the peak of his poor lifestyle.
Over 3 stone over weight, out of shape, tired and what he referred to as 'swollen'! He would joke about people he'd not seen for a while coming up to him saying 'you look well'. When he knew full well what they were actually saying is 'Geez! What happened to you? You've let yourself go a bit!'
I'm not sure either of us really noticed it creep up on him.
Then 'snap'.
It was over.
He decided to change.
One step at a time.
Literally, one step at a time.
He didn't want to run despite when younger enjoying being very active and running a lot.
So he started walking.
15 minutes at first.
Then 20 minutes.
Then an hour.
He often reminds me how he'd see men his age and older running along the routes he was walking and how he hoped to run those routes too.
Within just a few short months he was already losing weight and feeling much better.
Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer and it's a good job he'd begun that journey because he was going to need that extra energy to help me through, look after our 'nitwits' and keep working.
But this isn't about my journey.
Fast forward to now and he's running his first ultra-marathon for charity this December and has plans to do all sorts of mind-boggling events. He's doesn't ever expect to win or even rank anywhere in the events he just loves it, the feeling of being fit again.
But this isn't even a post about fitness.
Suffice to say if you would like to get fitter then perhaps just like Henry start one step at a time. The benefits of fitness to your health and how young/well you look are well know. I gotta say Henry looks younger now than he did probably 5 if not 10 years ago!
Now, here's what this post is actually about!
Wrinkle zapping foods!
Along the way Henry has enjoyed vast research into nutrition. Most of which flies right over my head as I enjoy a chocolate muffin. BUT, he has picekd up some really useful stuff about foods to help us hold back the years.
I'm not sure there is firm evidence as yet but there is plenty of noise that eating high-ORAC fruits and vegetables may help slow the signs of aging.
So what are ORAC foods?
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, or ORAC is a test to measure the level of antioxidants present in food. In theory, these foods could help reduce the development of wrinkles, protect joints from arthritis, improve memory and maintain brain cells, and even help reduce the risk of some diseases.
Researchers have put together a list of top scoring potentially wrinkle zapping fruits and vegetables and the great news is most are common, delicious and easy to add to our diets if not there already!
So, here's a list of these little beauties and those you may wish to try incorporating into your and your families diets if not there already (no particular order):
- Goji Berries
- Wild blueberries
- Aubergine
- Avocado
- Beetroot
- Blackberries
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts (yummy!)
- Cherries
- Garlic
- Kale
- Kiwi fruit
- Onions
- Oranges
- Pink grapefruit
- Plums
- Prunes
- Raisins
- Raspberries
- Red grapes
- Red peppers
- Spinach
- Strawberries
Just seven prunes a day could give your body all the antioxidants it needs!
So see how many you can add into your healthy lifestyle and let me know if you look and feel the benefits.
Tracey x