My RealAge

I am very hesitate about medical advice online and more times than none I take one-liner medical counsel at face value. I search for new and interesting ways to stay healthy and natural but i hardly jump on every new fad . . . well . . . just because alot of it is BS.

I just recently started using Juice Plus and i am doing my best to continue them every day. In the last year or so i have been paying more attention to what i put in my body and even more attention to the portions that i partake. There has been less stress in some aspects of my life but added stress in other areas. I have this passion to learn how to cook small meals and i know if i started i would enjoy it but i just can't get past the cleaning of the dishes part. LOL
I know Bob and Jillian would kick my butt because i try to be healthy but im just not succeeding like i should.

Recently i have been visiting NaturalHealth.com a few times a week. Right now it is not much more than a purposeful nagging whisper in my ear to 'step it up'. I read a few articles a week and try to realize that being healthy is really not that hard - it's just another change. Anyways, i was clicking away and found a link to My Real Age.

This website contains a quiz that compares your calendar age to your 'real' age. As i am taking this quiz im thinking 'why am i wasting my time', 'it's going to give me a bunch of generic info i can find in Cosmo'. . . and so on. . .

Well about 25 minutes i finished the questions to find out that my real age is . . .
drum roll please . . .
35!
Um . . . did i not just celebrate my 26th birthday! WTF To those non-math geniuses out there that's plus 9 years.
(Sorry babe, i love you)
BUT REALLY!!!

Breath . . .

Once i calmed down i read the results. In all honesty - were very helpful. They list back to you your results in health, habits, relationships, diets, and fitness and tell you the things are making you ‘Older’ or ‘Younger’ and the reasons behind them. They elaborate with problem solving and a personalized plan. This website was not generic by any means. The 'hints' to success were down to earth and realistic. Grated there was probably nothing on there that i didn't already know but sometimes the delivery to the messages changes the seriousness of the purpose.

My suggestion: Take the Test!
It will ask you your email and create a password. They will also ask you if you want more information about any given topic but you don't have to register for anything just skip that step. Or hell. . . get more information – would never hurt!

There were also some questions regarding your intake of Calcium, Vitamins, and Proteins in mg – who really knows exactly how much they take, but you can guess.

I will share some of my results – Good and Bad.

Because one or two of your family members had breast cancer, your risk is higher, which makes your RealAge older.
Keep following the recommended breast cancer screening practices for your age and level of risk.

Here’s why: Women who have a family history of . . . breast cancer need to be screened earlier and more frequently than women without a family history of breast cancer. Breast cancer screening and mammograms are the most effective ways to detect early-stage breast cancer.

6 Ways to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
Be screened. See your doctor about breast cancer screening.
Be vigilant. Ask you doctor how to perform a breast self-examination; examine your breasts regularly for suspicious lumps, dimpling, or nipple discharge. If you find any of these signs, see your doctor immediately.
Be smoke-free. If you smoke, stop smoking. Smoking ages your immune system.
Be svelte. Women who gain weight after menopause have a higher risk of breast cancer. Keep your waist trim and your weight in a healthy range.
Be active. Regular exercise helps protect against breast cancer. Find out how.
Be a teetotaler. Alcohol intake is linked to increased levels of estrogen, which fuels cancer.
For more information, take the RealAge Breast Cancer Screening Assessment.

By eating 2–4 pieces of whole fruit a day, you've made your RealAge younger.
Way to go!
Here's why: Fruit is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber and is also a tasty, low-cal alternative to unhealthy sweets like baked goods and candy. Plus, many fruits are loaded with carotenoids, . . . which have antiaging properties.Take the RealAge Nutrition Assessment for an in-depth nutrition analysis.

3 Ways to Eat Even More Fruit
Stash some at work. Instead of hitting the vending machine, bring a couple of pieces of fruit from home, so you always have a healthy snack handy when your stomach starts growling. Find out the shelf life on some of your favorite fruits.
Whirl up a smoothie. Pull out the blender and toss a banana and your favorite berries in with some low-fat yogurt, milk, or calcium-fortified orange juice. Find more ideas for healthy smoothies.
Add them to a salad. Combine savory cheese with sweet, juicy fruit and dark leafy greens for fabulous salads. Try these combos: strawberries and crumbled feta; pears and shaved parmesan; green apple and grated cheddar; cantaloupe and provolone; watermelon and goat cheese. Try this one to get you started.

Hints
Watch serving sizes when dried. Try to limit yourself to only small portions of dried fruit, because it tends to have more calories.Don’t peel out. Many of the health benefits you get from eating fruits such as apples and pears may be attributed to their peels, which contain nutrients and fiber. So after washing your fruit, keep the peel on.