Sam’s first thoughts on applying Purrrrrfect Foundations

Nourish

So my diet is pretty healthy, I could sum it up as basically vegan with indiscretions, (treats and cheats). Some people call it ‘a little of what you fancy does you good’ but if I’m honest it’s a lot more than a little. I do have a red line on processed food (far too many chemicals) and I have minimal meat, dairy, alcohol and cake (you can see where the cheating comes in). But I’m not a purist and I enjoy my ‘indiscretions’ without guilt.

Move

I don’t want to become one of those older people who grunt when they struggle to get up and sigh when they fall into a chair. I understand that due to illness or injury some people can’t help this but – from what I see – many can. Since getting my heart problem I’ve moved from heavy, intense exercise to a much more gentle regime. I practice tai chi and chi gong, I walk, cycle and garden (sensibly) and my gym work has changed from weights to Functional Movement (FM).

I love this, initially I can’t do the exercises but through progression I consistently improve. FM is designed to stretch, tone and open up the body – basically Functional Movement does what it says on the tin. If you look at FM on YouTube there are hundreds of videos which would put off even the best gymnast but there’s one guy who, in my opinion, is better suited for older people, people with illness or those who find movement difficult. Put ‘Movement Parallels Life’ into YouTube. He seems a really good bloke, not a show off, and remember, he shows you what you’re aiming for, not what you have to do when you start! It’s all about progression. Obviously normal warnings apply, If you’re uncomfortable – suck it up, if you’re in pain – stop.

Relax

I think there are two ways I relax; I’m either aware or unaware. I’m sure there are many different opinions on this but for me it’s the difference between being mentally active or passive. For example when I practice tai chi I try to be mindful, present, and in the moment – being aware. When I watch the telly it’s passive, if I drift off no worries. Listening to music, doing a jigsaw, reading a magazine, these for me are passive.

Walking is a good example of relaxation because (like most things) it can be done with awareness or not; active or passive. I can be aware and mindful or I can daydream and wonder how I got home! For me it depends on the weather, my mood and the walk. I don’t struggle, I relax and enjoy the fresh air. I see both ways as beneficial to my health.

Rest

OK, this is a bad one for me. Left alone I sleep really well but unfortunately my wife is not a good sleeper. She fidgets, she snores, she gets up at 4.30am three days a week, she is in the menopause and gets hot, then cold. She throws the quilt over me and opens the window, then she gets out of bed, closes the window, gets back in a takes the quilt. She gets cramp and she kicks and shouts until I massage her foot and calf muscle. An extended super king size would not be big enough and she refuses to let me sleep in the spare room because – and get this – she doesn’t sleep well when I’m not there!!!

So, as a cornerstone of health, I must accept poor sleep in order to keep my wife happy and, because I’m acutely aware that no-one else would have me, I suffer in silence (other, of course, than when I’m asked to write about it!)