The Life Plan Read Online Free PDF

into new levels of diet and nutrition, as well as new levels of exercise. In many cases, these lifestyle changes will correct any hormone deficiencies you might have by helping you make more of your own hormones. The speed with which you step into this program is entirely up to you, but as you can imagine, the faster you can get to the highest levels of fitness and nutrition, the better the results you’ll achieve.
    The Life Plan for Better Health
    Step One: Recognize the Signs and Symptoms That Mean “You’re Getting Old”
     
    You may have heard of the medical phrase “signs and symptoms.” While these words sound innocuous, they really are vital signals to watch for. Signs are literally aspects of your health that your doctor can either see with his or her own eyes or pick up with a diagnostic test. Symptoms are negative experiences that cannot be seen or detected except on your own. Both are critically important to your overall health, because they are a warning of premature aging, illness, and potentially early death.
     
    The following quiz will help you determine if you are currently experiencing either signs or symptoms of aging. Circle T for each true response, and F if this issue never occurs. It doesn’t matter what your “score” is at the end of the quiz, because the fix is the same. Even if you have only one “true” response, you may be experiencing a hidden, and often seemingly unrelated illness. For example, erectile dysfunction not only affects your sex life, but could be an early symptom of heart disease. The sooner you can get on the Life Plan and address these issues, the more likely it will be that you can—and should—reverse the damage they have caused.
    All of these signs and symptoms should be discussed with your doctor before you begin the program. You’ll learn in Chapter 14 exactly how to have this conversation and what your doctor should be doing for you to address these and other health issues.
    SIGNS OF AGING
     
    1.
    I have gained weight around my midsection (belly fat).
    T/F
    2.
    I have been told that I have bone loss/osteoporosis.
    T/F
    3.
    I have been told that I have diabetes and/or insulin resistance.
    T/F
    4.
    I’m not as strong as I used to be.
    T/F
    5.
    I’m not as muscular as I used to be.
    T/F
    6.
    I have gained 10 pounds or more over the past year.
    T/F
    7.
    I have been told that I have a high LDL cholesterol score.
    T/F
    8.
    My skin is beginning to sag.
    T/F
    9.
    I have noticed reduced flexibility or increased stiffness in my joints.
    T/F
    10.
    I have trouble concentrating, slow recall, and/or foggy thinking.
    T/F
     
     
    SYMPTOMS OF AGING
     
    1.
    I often feel blue or depressed.
    T/F
    2.
    I feel lethargic midmorning or midafternoon.
    T/F
    3.
    I often experience an overall feeling of fatigue.
    T/F
    4.
    I wake up frequently during the night and experience poor sleep.
    T/F
    5.
    I am not accomplishing as much as I used to at work.
    T/F
    6.
    I have difficulty with sexual arousal, low libido, less intense orgasm, or poor erections.
    T/F
    7.
    I am prone to irritability/emotional swings/anxiety.
    T/F
    8.
    I lack stamina.
    T/F
    9.
    I have slow recovery time after exercise.
    T/F
    10.
    I train as hard as I used to, but don’t get the same results.
    T/F
    Step Two: Focus on a Heart-Centered, Healthy Aging Plan
     
    Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and more than one in three American men currently have cardiovascular disease. Every 25 seconds an American will have a heart attack; every 40 seconds someone has a stroke; and every minute one of these men will die. The average age for a man to experience his first heart attack is 64.
     
    Atherosclerosis is the cause of blood vessel disease that leads to heart attacks and strokes. It refers to the plaque that grows in the walls of blood vessels. Inflammation is intrinsically connected to all phases of cardiovascular disease. In fact, atherosclerosis can begin in childhood and later lead to