1. Something I’ve been thinking about this week…
There is a lot of talk about lifespan. This is the total number of years we live. We get very excited about the thought of being able to live longer and longer. But as we become sicker and sicker (which we have), we need to put more attention, energy, and effort into our healthspan. Healthspan is how many of these years are healthy and free from disease. What good is living to 100 years old if the last 30 years are loaded with sickness, disease, and inability to function well? I am primarily concerned with healthspan. Quality is far more important than quantity. Our current healthcare system is failing right now at both lifespan and healthspan, but as you take on a greater responsibility with your own health, make sure optimizing your healthspan is your primary goal.
2. A life-shifting quote about goal setting…
I am a HUGE fan of goal setting. I recently mentioned something about goals to someone, and he rolled his eyes a bit and said that he “really wasn’t into setting goals.” I know that when some people think about goals and goal setting, they see a motivational speaker up on stage ranting about mansions, private jets, and Lamborghinis. A huge distinction that I made a long time ago ROCKED my way of thinking about setting and achieving goals. Here is my version… tell me if this doesn’t alter your thinking about goals:
It’s not what you get by achieving your goals… it’s what you become in the process of achieving them.
And here is Henry David Thoreau’s version below.
3. Recent study I am leery of…
Recent headlines are touting a new study indicating that erythritol, a zero-calorie sugar substitute, is linked to higher risk of heart attack, stroke and death. Without going into too much detail, I will say that I am not worried about this AT ALL. With so many people utilizing sugar substitutes (low-carb, keto, etc.), I feel this is a simple headline aimed at catching attention. Which it has. Of course, sugar substitutes need to be studied more, but it seems odd that this one in particular is getting attention, when we hear almost nothing about the toxic effects of artificial sweeteners that have been in use for much longer, such as aspartame (Equal and NutraSweet), sucralose (Splenda), and saccharin (Sweet ‘N Low). I do not believe erythritol is good in large amounts, and we prefer stevia, but be careful with these headline-grabbing studies meant to quickly gain the attention of lots of people. And the sugar industry has a vested interest in knocking artificial and natural sweeteners down to boost their own profits. You can read more about artificial sweeteners in this article written by Dr. Josh Axe, more about the best natural sugar substitutes in this article by the same author, and/or watch the old, but mind-blowing, documentary, Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World, about aspartame. And click here to read an article that is one reason why I am suspicious about any new food studies. It will blow your mind.