AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project launches "6 Weeks to Longevity" program

Published on September 4, 2009 at 6:43 AM · 1 Comment

Visit AARP.org/BlueZonesProject to Sign Up, Take the Vitality Compass and Learn the Secrets to Living Longer, Better

People don't want to just live longer; they want to live healthier and more purposeful lives. Now, through the AARP(R)/Blue Zones(R) Vitality Project sponsored by United Health Foundation, people from across America will have the opportunity to add healthy years to their lives by joining the project at AARP.org/BlueZonesProject and signing up for the "6 Weeks to Longevity," which kicks off on September 8, 2009.

One small town, Albert Lea, Minn., has been working hard since January 2009 to prove that by making a few simple changes, a community can add years and purpose to its residents' lives. Now, others can join the last six weeks of the unprecedented AARP(R)/Blue Zones(R) Vitality Project and learn easy ways to strive for additional good, healthy years of life.

All participants registered for the AARP(R)/Blue Zones(R) Vitality Project will be a part of the "6 Weeks to Longevity" initiative. The six-week online experience will include a comprehensive lifestyle makeover, with each week focusing on a key area of attaining longevity.

"By staying active and living with purpose, AARP's 40 million members demonstrate every day that age is not a defining number," said Nancy Graham, Editor of AARP The Magazine. "This collaboration is a unique opportunity to show America that they have a say in determining how many good years they will have in their lives, and offers them the tools to extend that time."

The "6 Weeks to Longevity" will focus on:

Week 1 Live Longer, Better - Introducing Blue Zones and the Vitality Compass

Week 2 Creating Your Longevity Circle - Creating and improving your social networks

Week 3 Rethinking How You Eat - Making food choices that will extend your longevity

Week 4 Mindless Moving - Build physical activity and movement into your everyday life

Week 5 Finding Purpose - Identifying your life's purpose can also extend it

Week 6 Making Your Community Healthier - Changing your community's walkability, bikeability and food options can encourage good behaviors

Continued on Next page >>

Pollution and polycythemia rubar

James Picco

says:

September 9, 2009 at 5:20 PM

Hi I am a 46 years old male and diagnosed with polycythemia rubar vera - a rare blood disorder with no cure, the doctors here in NY say there is no cure, and there is limited treatment. With treatment life expectancy is 10 to 15 years possibly and without treatment 18 months, I believe.

What your article says because all the research on what I have PV for short blames the atmosphere, pollution, car fumes, bus fumes, stress. I used to commute every day 1 to 2 hrs into NYC by car and exit 2 to 3 some times 4 hrs to leave the city sitting in traffic hours on end, 5 days a week for 15 years. The fumes from the trucks and buses gave me shortness of breath, sore throat, teary eyes.

Many of my friends and I commuted used oxygen tanks in and out of NY. My doctor said to me due to the way the atmosphere is in the USA more and more cases of this type of bone marrow/stem cell cancer are being reported in the US, and also around the world.

I always took care of myself, no junk food, Mediterranean diet, exercise, healthy food, no other medical problems and no cancer runs in our family - as a matter of fact all family - members lived into there 80s and 90s.

I am under doctors care now, no work, no stress, puttering around the house and my blood pressure is near normal were as when I was commuting 1 month ago my blood pressure was 163/110, I feel so much more relaxed there is no doubt in my mind about your article. Thank you.

Reply »