Proof That I'm Getting Old

I have to prove that I'm approaching 50, unlike a lot of men my age, who can't look any younger even if they use the best anti wrinkle cream that money can buy. When people see me in person for the first time, they can't believe I'll be 48 in a month or so. Whenever my age is guessed, it's always within the 30 bracket (30-39), although I have a receding hairline.

Factors Which Slow Aging

Before I say which factors (I think) have slowed my aging process, I have to mention the things that can make you look as old as you are or even older:

Too much sun. It's a proven fact that too much time in direct sunlight can cause permanent skin damage. Liver spots and wrinkles are the most common side effect.
Not enough exercise. Being a couch potato will make you feel older than you are, not to mention the fact that the muscles you don't use will become atrophied quickly. Proper exercise, even mild exercise, will do wonders for the way you feel and look.
Improper nutrition. Besides making you fat, eating the wrong foods won't help you fight age in any way. Consuming the wrong food and drink can do more harm than good, especially to your internal organs.

Although I spend 80 percent of my waking hours sitting in front of a computer keyboard, I still manage to find time to do the things I think are necessary to keep feeling better than I should. Certain foods and drinks, high in antioxidants and flavonoids, are a part of my diet. Almost everything I eat contains enough fiber to keep me regular. Here are three things I consume regularly, which contain antioxidants and flavonoids.

Coffee and tea. I drink several cups of coffee every single day. I drink iced tea when it's just too hot to drink coffee. Some will say the caffeine isn't good for me, but I sleep like a log and have no trouble sleeping. A freight train rolling over my house could barely wake me up. Both contain antioxidants and flavonoids.
Beans. I eat beans with chili. I can't stand plain beans, even if meat is added.
American goulash, or hamburger goulash if you wish to call it that. I make goulash with lots of tomato paste, which is also contains antioxidants and flavonoids.

Of the things I'm not listing, most foods I eat contain vegetables, fruit or grains. I stay away from breads and cakes, including muffins. They're just too fattening. I usually have two or three slices of toast for breakfast, unless I'm having oatmeal or pancakes. Only some of my dinner meals are eaten with rice, and not much rice at that. My diet is what I attribute to most of my weight loss (without being on any kind of weight loss program) for the last year, especially the reduction of my big, fat belly.

Things I'm Slow At Because of Age and Practice

I spent 20 years on active duty in the US Marine Corps and I believe it added at least 10 years to my life. I was forced to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet. It doesn't help me now, of course, more than 10 years after retiring. Due to post-military injuries to my left leg (knee, ankle and shin), I can't run at full steam anymore — I'm lucky if I can jog a short distance.

I'm really slow at writing, programming and other computer-related activities. Five years ago, my latest scripting project would have taken me less than a day. It took me more than two days this time. I'm out of practice and I can't remember everything I thought I'd learned years ago. If it wasn't for the remaining memories, it would have probably taken a month. I had to remember MySQL and PHP coding experiences to make sure I didn't make the same newbie mistakes all over again.

I last posted on this blog four days ago. If I wasn't so slow at finishing my scripting project, I would only be a day behind my normal routines. As it is, I'm behind on the three blogs that I've finished setting up and I yet to start working on the fourth. I'm getting slow. Age is part if, of that I'm sure. I don't have the stamina to continue working on one project at a time and see it through to completion. I have to take a lot of breaks and this something I didn't have to do a few short years ago.

All in all, I'd say not bad for a guy of 47, who looks like he's 39, but feels like he's 70. At least, in my own humble opinion.

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October 14th, 2008 By RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines | Categories: Life | Tags: aging process, antioxidants, best anti wrinkle cream, breakfast, chili, coffee and tea, computer keyboard, computer-related, couch potato, diet, Food and Drink, freight train, improper nutrition, internal organs, liver spots, memories, mild exercise, muscles, programming, proper exercise, receding hairline, scripting, skin damage, waking hours, wrinkles | Respond | Trackback URL

daniel from retailcontacts.com on 2008-10-14 at 2:47 pm (Reply)

Hey man, what kinda tea are you drinking that lets you sleep like a log?! If I drink tea for lunch I'm asleep by 2AM.

One thing I've seen that adds years quick is smoking. My mother looked 20 until she was 35 when she picked up smoking and now she's 43 and looks around 55.

When you say you're slow at writing do you mean typing?

My latest blog post: Cosmetic Contacts

RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2008-10-14 at 2:54 pm (Reply)

NESCAFE coffee and NESCAFE tea. Neither keeps me awake. In fact, when I was about 20, a box of "Nodoze" couldn't keep me awake.

I don't know about the smoking part. I smoked for over 20 years and it didn't seem to have any effect — of course, I exercised regularly so that might have had something to do with it.

No, not typing. I type 60+ words per minute. I'm talking about getting it into print (on the computer screen of course).
2. Daniel from glow in the dark contact lenses on 2008-10-14 at 9:48 pm (Reply)
  
  I see. You are a perfectionist. Everything I have learned about blogging says to write fast and design fast, but I can't let things go once I've started them. There's always tweaking going on in my head, and I can just leave well enough alone. Thanks for the quick response even though your all tied up man.
  
  My latest blog post: Cosmetic Contacts
3. RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2008-10-14 at 10:15 pm (Reply)
  
  Nope. Not a perfectionist. I just don't like having to go back and edit. That's a trait I picked up while in the military — do it right the first time so you don't have to do it again.

Mattie on 2008-10-14 at 4:51 pm (Reply)

The proofs are good. But beyond all these your inner feeling is make you grow old faster. Be healthy from heart and think positively.

Bonnie from DataPlus on 2008-10-14 at 7:46 pm (Reply)

I'm 55 this month and some days I feel 18 but there are those days when I feel every second of my age. I work hard every day but sometimes feel overwhelmed and exhausted. I've cut back on coffee too because I have a little arthritis and have read that it can worsen.

Comedy Plus on 2008-10-14 at 11:14 pm (Reply)

I've found that getting old isn't for sissies. Just saying. Have a great day RT.
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Alex from DUI Laws on 2008-10-15 at 11:47 am (Reply)

Ahh, don't feel too bad! My mom and dad are both getting to that same age, and every time I go and visit them, I hear the "I'm getting so old that…" phrase at least a few times!

The best thing (as I'm thankfully learning early in life) is take care of your body. Young people really think your body is flawless, but you will pay for it bad when you get older, and it won't be until you're older when you realize it.

Take care, and stay healthy.

My latest blog post: Cops destroying DUI evidence before court

Jim from Time Tracker on 2008-10-15 at 3:33 pm (Reply)

Yeah, getting old is something that we all don't look forward to, but I'm not so sure about the anti wrinkle cream. Personally, I've got a few white hairs (I've managed to leapfrog grey and just go straight to white), and I've received nothing but compliments about my 'salt and pepper' look. We're not old….but distinguished.

Tom from Badger Hair Shaving Brush on 2008-10-15 at 10:33 pm (Reply)

Hi RT– hey I just turned 45 and some of the friends I have who are around my age are starting to talk about slowing down and vague aches and pains. I know we'll all slow down, and the aches and pains will come too, but in my opinion voicing stuff like this can bring it on faster, especially if it's a habitual, daily thing. There's something to be said for focusing on the positive too, as much as we can. Well, just my opinion.
Hey also, I think that IF we get enough exercise, spending all this time in front of the computer might actually lengthen our lives, all else being equal, because there's a lot of things that we aren't doing with this time that are bad for us!!

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B. Durant on 2008-10-16 at 2:29 am (Reply)

The real test isn't how old you feel it's how old other people think you to be.

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Kevin from Great Wall of China on 2008-10-18 at 3:39 am (Reply)

Everyone thinks they're getting old! Don't get so down! Thanks for the good anti-aging tips! I will tell my parents.

Lee From Anti Aging Slution on 2008-10-22 at 3:03 am (Reply)

This is good advice. I think that eating right and exercising in particular are so important. The right foods will not only improve your appearance but will also keep you healthy and energized.

I just turned 46 and feel pretty good, but the one thing I noticed is that I can't remember stuff as good as I used to be able to!

My latest blog post: The Sun and Aging Skin

RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2008-10-22 at 3:08 am (Reply)

Forgetting is a blessing and not a curse.

Philip on 2008-11-01 at 3:35 am (Reply)

I have just turned 51, though half the time I add or subtract a couple of years as this is not something I am really worried about. I drink coffee, smoke and stay in front of the computer for hours on end.
But I am reasonably healthy and my outlook is always positive. Over the last few years I have reshaped my diet and eat much more fruit and vegetables and I am sure my antioxidant intake is giving good results.
My formula is a healthy diet with plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, fibers, coupled with a positive attitude that comes with knowing where you are going, and surrounded by those you love.
Can't say more than that.

My latest blog post: What Are the Best Antioxidants?

Matthew from D Cup Swimwear on 2008-11-13 at 12:18 am (Reply)

Simple lifestyle changes can help you feel better and look younger at the same time. Eating a proper diet, regular exercise, and avoiding addictive products such as nicotine and caffeine. Try keeping unnatural products out of your body and you will see a difference.

Crystal from mineral face makeup on 2008-11-13 at 1:22 am (Reply)

I am almost 21 (yeah, I know …why should I be complaining?) but I have a bad back already from previous work. Not looking forward to dealing with that later on.
My latest blog post: Mineral Face Makeup

Zeriva Website for Women on 2008-12-09 at 9:21 pm (Reply)

Many foods make great facial cleansers. Many foods have nutrients that are good for your skin. Nature has given us a wealth of skin care ingredients. The best skin care is natural skin care and what is more natural than food.

You can make a great a natural facial skin care treatment out of oatmeal and honey. A natural skin care recipe using oatmeal and honey is to make a cup of oatmeal, just like you would for breakfast. While the oatmeal is thickening and cooling down, mix in 2 tablespoons of honey, you can also add 2 tablespoons of plain or strawberry yogurt and the juice squeezed from one lemon. Lemon contains natural astringents. This should form a good paste. Apply a layer to your face, avoiding the eyelids. If you get any in your eyes, rinse it out with warm water. After it dries wash it off with warm water, follow with cold water.

You can mix just about any fruit into oatmeal and use it as a mask. Be sure you use organic ingredients whenever possible and you are not allergic to it. Be sure the oatmeal has cooled down before you put it on your face. You can add any of the food listed above. Some other ideas are avocado oil, olive oil, any fruit yogurt and just about any essential oil. Always use essential oils in moderation and never

Green tea has detoxifying properties and it is loaded with antioxidants. Use the best tea you can find and steep it long enough to do some good, do not let it boil. I like a loose-leaf tea; they are stronger than tea bags. The green teas from Chinese herb shops often have the best selection. I discover a new green tea every time I go into one. You do not have to do a good job straining the brew, some leaf in the oatmeal is good. As with anything you are going to smear on your skin you want to start with a small amount, test a little to make sure you do not have a reaction to it. Reactions do not happen often but you still want to do this with everything.

Avocado is a fruit because it has a stone. Avocado is loaded with vitamins A, C, E, iron, potassium, niacin, lecithin, pantothenic acid and protein not usually found in a fruit. It also has heart healthy monounsaturated fat that will not increase your bad cholesterol. Avocado oil is classed as a vegetable oil. It makes a rich, deep penetrating oil. Just by itself it makes a great dry skin mask.

Homemade skin care does not get any simpler. Carefully cut your avocado in half and remove the pit with a spoon. Spoon the good parts out into a bowl. Your avocado can now be mashed using a fork, blender, potato masher, food processor or your hands. Mash it up and smear it on. Leave it on for about 20 minutes then rinse it off with water. Avocado perishes fast when exposed to the air. You can squeeze lemon juice over the remainder and keep in the refrigerator but avocado is best used while it is fresh. The best thing to do is smear the leftovers on your chest and arms. Let it dry then soak in the bath to wash it off. After you add the lemon juice it can be a bit tough on sensitive skin but it makes a great natural skin care astringent.

Watermelon juice makes one of the best skin care products ever. It cleans, re-hydrates and exfoliates skin, leaving it fresh and gorgeous. Crush up a slice of watermelon and apply it over your face, neck, arms and anywhere you like. Leave it on for 20 minutes or more. Rinse the juice off using warm water, splash your face and neck with cold water to close your pores. Your face will feel fresh and clean. The pulp has fiber that will scrub toxins out of your pours.

To close pores try rubbing your skin with cold watermelon juice with pulp. You can add a cup of mint tea for an uplifting mix. For oily skin, mix chickpea powder with the juice and pulp. The chickpea powder will make a watermelon paste that will soak up the oil in your skin. Let it dry then wash it off.

Another recipe for oily skin is to take half cup chickpea powder, one teaspoon of turmeric powder and half a cup of organic milk. Mix it up. Apply this paste all over the forehead, face and neck. Wait a few minutes and wash it off. The chickpea powder absorbs the oil and the milk nourishes your skin.

Aloe vera is thought to be one of the best natural skin care ingredients both for the insides and outsides. Smear it on your skin and drink it with juice. Aloe vera is a complex combination of some 300 ingredients including polysaccharides, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, lignins, saponins and anthraquinones. The inner gel has been used for ever to soothe skin, heal cuts, sooth sunburns and keep people regular. Aloe vera can be toxic in excess, over doing it can include diarrhea, hepatitis and kidney dysfunction. Follow the dosage on the bottle, just because a normal dose is good does not mean an over dose is better.

Natural skin care is an experiment, try new things and see what works for you.

An American Living in the Philippines

Proof That I'm Getting Old