determine how long you will live?
Here’s the latest research on how to lose fat,
including stubborn belly fat!
I’ll start off with the good news:
▸ losing even just two inches off of your waist can dramatically improve your health overall.
Now, for the startling news:
▸ the risk of dying increases about 25% for each additional four inches of waist size.
I know, I know — it’s shocking and scary, but there you have it. Fortunately, there are solutions for reducing your waist size.
Slim Waist Size Means Long Life
slim waist size means longer life, says new research
A recent New York Times article revealed the connection between waist size and longevity and the results of a research study by epidemiologist Dr. Eric Jacobs who tracked 48,500 men and 56,343 women, over the age of 50, from 1997 to 2006. What they discovered is fascinating. The upshot of it is: having a large waist size doubled the risk of dying and it’s important to your lifespan and vitality to have a tight waist!
Standard Modern Diet Shortens Life Expectancy
It is my belief that many of us are mildly allergic to many foods in the standard modern diet, but we don’t know it. And, according to my own quirky theory, the more allergy or inflammation-inducing foods you eat, the more subcutaneous and visceral fat cells your body produces to pad and protect your vital organs from toxins. Actually, I’m not the only one who makes the connection between food hypersensitivity, inflammation and belly fat.
By the way, for the gentlemen, there has also been evidence to suggest that the leaner the waist, the higher the testosterone. And when testosterone levels are higher, men have more zest and robust emotional energy to enjoy daily life.
2 Quick Ways to Tell If Your Body Dislikes the Food You Just Ate
Of course, I encourage you to seek out your health care professional to develop a proactive, conscious healthy-aging strategy. Having said that, here is a diagnostic “scan” to help you determine if you might be sensitive to a particular food or menu item. It simply requires that you “look and listen” carefully to two of your body’s signals:
Signal #1) After Eating You Feel Discomfort
Everybody gets a little gassy sometimes, but if you’re often seriously bloated and uncomfortably flatulent after eating, then perhaps what you ate is something that your own body is challenged with processing. An important exception to this is that if you’re not used to eating fiber and then you start eating more fiber, you’ll get gassy, but that’s usually just because your body isn’t used to fiber yet (you will become accustomed to higher fiber intake over time).
Signal #2) After Eating Your Energy Level Drops
Please, please, believe me when I tell you, that food is supposed to give you energy, not drain it! If you feel even a little tired after you eat something: receive that as a message from your body!
Most of us who have been eating the standard modern diet for a long time are so accustomed to feeling very full and tired after we eat that we don’t even think anything about it or notice it that much. Very-full-and-tired is not the feeling you want to go for after a meal or snack. After eating, you want to feel enhanced with sustained energy.
“…after you eat your lunch,
you want to feel agile and energized!”
I think wheat and dairy are the big culprits to the waistline (well, beside the obvious culprits — like sodas, fried foods, and booze).
Optimize your life! Our Longevity e-Newsletter (see below this article) is designed to provide you with the accountability you need to make improvements in how you manage your time, nutrition, and energy. Every two weeks, subscribers receive a new strategy. And, it’s free.
Lose Fat with Evidence-Based Lifestyle Improvements
It might be helpful to you if I quickly tell you my own story. At one point in my life, I had my waist to almost 36.5 inches. Currently, it’s probably at around 32″ and still shrinking. This is a significant achievement for anyone, but especially for a 47-year old. Metabolism slows down with age, mostly because overall muscle mass tends to shrink over time.
the Longevity Lifestyle Kit costs less than other comparable programs;
it works better because it takes a holistic approach based on Success Psychology
How I Got Leaner in 3 Steps
Many years ago, on a pleasant weekend afternoon when I was 40 years old, my friend Kirsten took a picture of me sitting on the floor playing with her toddler. Later, she mailed me a print of the photo within a greeting card. When I opened that envelope and looked at the photo, I was stunned! In the photograph, I looked like I was carrying a few bowling balls under my polo shirt… or like I was pregnant! I had no idea that things had gotten so out of hand. I guess all that pizza had caught up with me. Has that ever happened to you, where you see a photo of yourself, or your passing reflection in a window, and you don’t even recognize yourself?
As alarming as that photo might have been at the time, it was one of the best things that could have happened! It encouraged me to see my health realistically, and inspired me to begin the journey of getting more fit!
Here’s a recent photo of me:
How did I lose the fat?
Step 1: Prepare Internally for Change by Making Careful Plans
Those of you who use this site frequently might already know that I am very interested in the art and science of improving personal productivity. I truly believe that:
- ⊙ a significant part of success is having great organizational systems
- ⊙ this is especially true when it comes to eating-for-strength
- ⊙ when we “fall off the wagon” with our food and lifestyle choices, it’s usually because we’re not fully prepared
For example, for me personally, I tend to eat and feel so much better when I pack my lunch and bring it to work (instead of going to a restaurant, market, sub shop, or burrito place during my lunch hour).
But packing lunch requires preparation! It requires having a list for the once-a-week visit to the grocery store. And it requires scheduling a set time to fix and pack the lunch before leaving the house in the morning. Even if you work from home, you still have to be organized in order to pull it off successfully.
The Dane Technique e-Workbook can help you to get outrageously organized so that you have more free time to take good care of yourself! Receive the e-Book instantly for $4.95 (or save money by purchasing the Full Longevity Kit).
The Dane Technique:
How to Get Seriously Organized using Checklists ~ Bonus Workbook
↗ This short e-Workbook will help you to get better organized. In order to improve your self-care and increase your health protocols, you have to find the time and energy for it and find the schedule that works best for you.
“…The Dane Technique provides concise, easy to understand, specific instructions
for people who want to get organized using checklists.
Beginning with a simple, yet powerful, manifesto
the book quickly walks the reader through a series of exercises
leading the reader to their own checklists.
No specific forms or software are required
leaving the format up to each unique and, soon to be organized, happy person”~ Paul Puckett, Asset Portfolio Manager
“…making a list felt like a chore but after reading Dane’s “How To Get Seriously Organized Using Checklists” I am now understanding how important lists are. My life is becoming clutter free and I get more accomplished throughout the day because the lists suggested by Dane are helping me be more productive in my personal and business life. Quotidian list is my favorite! Don’t know what that is? Get the book and find out! Trust me, it will change your life!”~ Doina Oncel, Solutions Specialist for Non-Profits
Step 2: Get a Food Processor and a Great Blender
If you want to get healthier, you have to eat more fresh vegetables. Period. End of story. In order to increase my intake of fresh foods, I got myself a food processor and a really excellent blender (not all blenders are the same, folks). The blender helped me to discover the magical world of freshly made green smoothies. Life-changing, and that’s an understatement.
I use my food processor almost every night to make a fast and healthy dinner, and I use my blender to make breakfasts, lunches, and healthier, lower-calorie frozen desserts. This was no little thing. This made a huge difference!
The 5 Best Smoothie Recipes eBooklet is one of many life-enhancing items within the new Longevity Lifestyle Kit. This eBooklet will help you to eat better. You can purchase this eBook separately for $4.95, or save money purchasing the Full Longevity Kit.
You can have instant access to this life-improving information right now!
5 Best Smoothie Recipes, $4.95
How to Use Your Blender to Become Lean and Energized! ~ eBooklet
“…I read the eBooklet on making fresh green smoothies
and promptly set about changing my typical fruit smoothie
to have greens in it.
But I did not believe you when you said to start slowly!
I dumped a bunch of green stuff in the mixer and,
well… you know how it went.
Had to force it down! Now I changed to follow your advice:
start with just a few greens to the mix until I get used to it.
And guess what? I really like adding a little celery
and some radish sprouts.
Very good stuff! I’ll be adding a little bit more over time,
just like you suggested.
Sometimes it’s good to follow advice, eh?”~ Rand Larson, Professional Events Photographer
If you want to improve your health and lose belly fat, you must find clever ways to sneak more vegetables into your daily diet — this eBooklet will make a tremendous difference!
Shopping Guide for Smoothie Ingredients ~ Flowchart
This one-page cheat sheet ($1.49) will help make your healthy shopping faster and easier.
“…I’ve always been a no-breakfast person.
But what I didn’t realize was that
skipping breakfast only made me lethargic and lazy all day long.
And I’d eat a whole lot more at lunch than I would have otherwise!
So, when I came across Dane’s smoothie recipes,
I decided to give them a shot.
Only one week in and I already feel much more energetic
than I have in the last ten years.
And I also tend to eat less lunch
which is great to control increasing weight.
I plan to start smoothies for lunch too.
Slim waistline, here I come!”~ Rabab Kahn, Editor / Bertelsmann Foundation
Step 3: Use a Proven Success Formula!
I use kettlebells to keep my metabolism revved-up!
Because I know that muscle mass correlates with higher metabolism, I made sure to include some strength training each week. My personal favorite is using the kettlebell, because I find it’s easier on my 47-year old joints (see image, right).
As I experimented with my daily menu, I found that — over time — my taste buds changed and became used to fresh vegetables. I was attracted increasingly to anti-inflammatory foods: I had less grains and more “super salads.”
Perhaps most importantly, I tried to have a sense of humor. Life after 40 isn’t always easy — it’s strange to have a full head of silver hair and see my skin lose some of its elasticity and refinement, but the wisdom I’ve acquired in life truly has made me happier than I’ve ever been before. My life feels more meaningful to me, and so as I undertook my lifestyle improvements I chose to see it as just more adventure on the journey (I never, ever thought of it as a diet)!
Do you believe the results of Dr. Jacob’s research study, that long life correlates to a lean waist? I invite you to share with me your thoughts, below in the comments section.
Ok OK, I am on it. Great article Dane.
Today I had a green smoothie for lunch at my office. As my blender whirled away, each one of my colleagues filed through the “kitchen” at work to see what I was up too. Everyone got a nice big taste of my smoothie….out of four people and two dogs…..two people LOVED the smoothie so much they were back for more; one person couldn’t finish hers (it wasn’t “spicy” enough); and one person was non committal about the whole thing, but his glass was empty!
My dog who jumped up and down and grumbled at me throughout the smoothie making process was rewarded with a piece of cucumber. His best friend, a 90 lb. chocolate lab — also got a piece of cucumber. So even the canines were happy.
Afterwards, I felt energized — not weighed down or tired. AND, I also had to take about 10 extra minutes this morning before I left to pack my blender, frozen bananas, protein powder, trimmed cucumber, organic frozen spinach, almond milk, pumpkin seeds and some ice. So it was most definitely the pre-planning that made the smoothie lunch for everyone happen! Thanks Dane!! @maresb
Yay, Marilyn! So grateful for your comment, and so happy to hear that you’re enjoying green smoothies!
p.s. for people who like “salty” I recommend adding celery to their blended green smoothie, and for people who like “spicy,” I recommend a few dashes of ginger and one dash of tumeric!
I’m lucky in the sense that, variety isn’t that important to me. I mean, sure, I do like a little variety (I can get bored sometimes with the same ol’ fare).
But some people insist on a huge variety of different cuisines. That’s kewl. But for me, it gets kind of tiring. I’d rather just keep it simple.
{ twitter = @danenow }
I’ve tried quite a few dietary plans etc. and have found that I do best with a variety. Rather than excluding certain things just have them all in moderation. That said, I do like to go low sugar, unprocessed, and organic whenever possible.
Considering my waistline is easily 4 inches beyond what it could be, if I don’t see you on Tuesday, thank you for all you’ve done for me. If I make it, I’m going to focus on the “pre-plan” as it relates to lunches. It is very inspiring to see Dane eating his carrot sticks and assorted peppers at about 3pm. Smart eating. Great post. Thanks for the information, D.
@mike that sounds healthy and satisfying. You really have a become a true Californian from head-to-toe!
OK Yesterday I had a salad, with spinach, avocado, tomato, walnuts, garbanzo beans, oil and vinegar. Today I had a wrap with spinach, salmon, salsa, garbanzo beans, artichoke. A somewhat unusual combo but there you are.
@david — great awareness about pre-planning. yes, you know you’re in trouble when you find you’re eating lunch at a Shell station! Hahah!
@tanaz — In truth, I don’t believe wheat and dairy are terrible; but many Americans eat them every day for decades and develop mild allergies, imho.
@liz — yes, some healthy foods do “inspire” gas, although fiber is a funny thing, because as your body gradually becomes used to it consistently, it can adjust nicely.
I agree with you, that bloating is often a result of unfortunate food combining. Excellent point!
… and, thanks for the ideas for future posts! I will report back! My favorite smoothie recipe can be found here.
ALSO, there are many veggies/legumes that are known to make people gassy. Does this mean we are possibly allergic to these high-in-fiber foods? Or that perhaps we’re not balancing our portions well?
PS – Thanks for the post. I really appreciate the healthy living advice.
I thought wheat was supposed to be good for you!
I’m not completely clueless as to what foods are good and bad for you, but it seems like there’s new information coming out all the time. It’s sometimes difficult to keep up.
So, what am I supposed to eat? What do YOU eat?? Could you give us some examples/suggestions for healthy meals and/or substitutions?
Thank you for helping the somewhat clueless.
If wheat and dairy are big culprits, then I’m in trouble! I’m starting to slowly eliminate them, and I too feel much better after eating fresh fruits and veggies! Thanks for such an informative article.
Truthfully, I stopped at a gas station and picked up a protein bar! No planning or prior thought about what I would do when the inevitable pangs arrived in the course of my very busy day. I chose the most healthy bar the establishment offered, though, as I ate it, I was very aware I could have done better with some forethought, both for the rest of my day and the rest of my life.