3232: The Two Okinawan Diet Rules (or How I'm Getting Leaner During the Holidays) by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3234: Stefanie Bonastia compassionately unpacks the hidden tensions between dieting, body image, and true well-being, challenging the idea that weight loss and food freedom can coexist. She offers a powerful reframe: instead of chasing control, we can cultivate lasting health by nurturing peace with food, honoring our bodies, and redefining what “healthy” really means on our own terms. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://jessikneeland.com/post/can-i-pursue-weight-loss-too/ Quotes to ponder: "You can find ways to move your body that feel fun and invigorating, or calming and grounding." "Healing your relationship with food is not the same as losing weight, and in fact they work in opposition to one another." "Our biology has no concept of thinness as a value system, it is simply concerned with survival." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3233: Eric Bach makes a compelling case for strength training as the most powerful tool to extend not just lifespan but healthspan. By preserving muscle mass, boosting metabolism, and improving mobility, intelligent resistance training can help you look, feel, and move like someone decades younger, no miracle diets or gimmicks required. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bachperformance.com/strength-training-the-ultimate-fountain-of-youth/ Quotes to ponder: "Lifting weights isn’t about being jacked, ‘bro. It’s about living longer and healthier, ‘bro." "Getting stronger in the gym is the compound interest of training. The more you put in earlier, the more wealth you’ll accumulate over time." "Building a foundation of strength improves your ability to build muscle." Episode references: Frailty and adverse health outcomes study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2465752/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3232: Leo Babauta shares two timeless dietary habits from Okinawa that helped him stay lean, even through the indulgent holiday season. By eating only until 80% full and focusing on whole, plant-based foods, he demonstrates how sustainable, mindful choices can lead to real results without strict dieting. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://zenhabits.net/the-two-okinawan-diet-rules-or-how-im-getting-lean/ Quotes to ponder: "Eat to 80% full. The Okinawans call this rule 'Hara Hachi Bu', and if you haven’t tried it, you should." "They eat way more veggies than most people as well as whole grains, tofu, fish and other legumes." "The key is to just get active. Exercise regularly if you can, play sports, toss a ball around with your family." Episode references: Michael Pollan’s Food Rules: https://www.amazon.com/Food-Rules-Eaters-Michael-Pollan/dp/014311638X Okinawan Diet (research overview): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7071223/ The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Zones-Lessons-Longest-Lived-People/dp/1426207557 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3231: Chalene Johnson explores how chronic stress can stall even the cleanest diet and most dedicated workout routine. By redefining success, doing less, and prioritizing rest, she shares how to break free from the stress-weight gain cycle and reclaim both physical health and emotional balance. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.chalenejohnson.com/stress-and-weight-loss/ Quotes to ponder: "Regardless of how much I exercised or how clean my diet was, I was at my heaviest." "I thought relaxing meant you were lazy, and I had this crazy urge to make a to-do list for anyone who wasn’t running around like a chicken with its head cut off." "You can do anything but you can’t do everything." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3230: Darrow Kirkpatrick breaks down the real value, and limitations, of hiring a financial advisor when planning for retirement. With a strong case for the do-it-yourself path, he urges readers to weigh the costs, conflicts of interest, and unpredictability of financial markets before outsourcing their future. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.caniretireyet.com/book-excerpt-need-financial-advisor/ Quotes to ponder: "Smart people and resourceful organizations develop clever models that help them market themselves as having an edge over the competition. But guess what? They don’t know the future any better than you do." "Nobody can predict the future or outperform the market over the long haul." "Financial planning should be more about equipping yourself with the analysis tools and mindset for a safe and enjoyable journey, than about trying to predict and control your exact route and arrival time!" Episode references: Garrett Planning Network: https://www.garrettplanningnetwork.com/ Vanguard: https://investor.vanguard.com/ USAA: https://www.usaa.com/ NAPFA: https://www.napfa.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3229: Deevra Norling highlights the hidden toll of night shift work, from disrupted sleep cycles to increased risks of chronic disease and mood disorders. Learn how small, strategic changes, like optimizing your sleep routine, eating real food, and scheduling time outdoors, can protect your health and well-being while working through the night. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ellymcguinness.com/blog/night-shift-health-tips/ Quotes to ponder: "Shift work disrupts the body’s natural wake/sleep cycle." "Maintaining a regular sleep schedule helps reset your body clock." "A short but sound nap (15-20 minutes) can be refreshing to the body and mind." Episode references: Breast Cancer Risk and Night Shift Work: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6952443 Rotating Night Shift Work and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25269670 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3228: Dr. Neal Malik breaks down why potassium is essential for muscle function, heart health, and electrolyte balance, especially for those who sweat heavily. He explains why potassium supplements are limited, dispels myths about potassium loss through sweat, and offers low-carb food sources to help meet your daily needs without compromising your diet. Quotes to ponder: "Potassium is kind of amazing in that it can help offset the damage from consuming too much sodium or salt in your diet." "Researchers have found that taking supplements with more than 99 milligrams of potassium chloride has been associated with damage to the small intestine." "The best way to increase your potassium status is to consume potassium-rich foods." Episode references: NIH Potassium Fact Sheet: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-Consumer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3227: Kris Gunnars breaks down the nutritional and ethical differences between grass-fed and grain-fed beef, revealing how a cow's diet impacts everything from fat content to antioxidant levels. While grass-fed beef offers some added health perks like more omega-3s and CLA, the overall benefits may not justify the higher cost for everyone. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/grass-fed-vs-grain-fed-beef Quotes to ponder: "You are what you eat applies to cows too." "Though grass-fed beef contains higher amounts of certain nutrients, there is currently no compelling evidence that it’s significantly healthier than grain-fed beef." "At the end of the day, the choice depends on your preferences and values." Episode references: Veterinary Feed Directive: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/development-approval-process/veterinary-feed-directive-vfd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3226: Dr. Jenny Brockis explores how rest looks different for everyone and why it’s essential to tailor your downtime to what truly restores you, whether that’s solitude, music, or meaningful connection. By integrating mini, minor, and major breaks into your routine, you can boost energy, sharpen focus, and build long-term resilience. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.drjennybrockis.com/2018/7/20/rest-up-take-a-break/ Quotes to ponder: "Standing up for 2-3 minutes gives your body and brain a breather, boosts your attention, and reduces the risks associated with prolonged sitting." "Scheduling in time to think helps you to sort out your priorities, realign your focus, and helps to prevent procrastination." "There is no one best way to take a rest." Episode references: The Science of Napping: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/napping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3225: Steve Kamb reveals how to stop relying on fragile willpower and start building real systems for habit change by structuring your environment to work for you, not against you. Whether your goal is weight loss, learning a new skill, or becoming more productive, his strategy shows how to create momentum by removing friction and surrounding yourself with allies who level you up. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/how-to-fix-new-years-resolutions/ Quotes to ponder: "The fewer the steps, the greater the chance you’ll actually do it." "Don’t leave it up to the whims of inspiration or motivation." "Surround yourself with people who positively influence you." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices