Come Out & Meet Hattie at Her Next Hampon Book Signing

Sunset Cafe in Westhampton will host a book signing on Oct. 11 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Come and meet the fabulous Hattie and learn her secrets for reversing aging. She will be signing her new book Exquisite Aging. There will be books for sale and also specials in the Cafe.

Get more details about this Exquisite Aging event here.

WATER AEROBICS: The Perfect Exercise for Boomers and Seniors

As a health and fitness expert, I am often asked what exercises are best for Boomers and Seniors. My answer is always, “Water Aerobics, and swimming.”

Gravity is a very important factor in the aging process. In going from being four

legged animals to human bipeds, our bodies are forced to change from a suspension mode to a compression mode.

What does this mean relative to aging? Well, for starters, the joints from the spine to the hips to the knees are under constant pressure. This pressure can result in the breakdown of cartilage, bone damage and…PAIN!

With Water Aerobics and swimming, the pressure from gravity is removed, causing decreased stress on the skeletal structure.

Less Stress =Less Pain

When the pain factor is lessened, it becomes far easier to exercise more frequently and for greater periods of time. Also, when the stress on the joints is diminished, there is less damage and consequently, a slowing down of the body’s aging process.

And who doesn’t want that?

I have been swimming and doing Water Aerobics almost every day for 20 years!

This satisfying exercise has enabled me to be slender, flexible and strong up to now…in my 70’s.

“Get in the water and start working out.” is my counsel.

WHAT CAUSES AGING…AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT

There’s no denying that aging is a fact. There’s no point in fighting time, because it’s not under our control. Now that definitely doesn’t mean that aging isn’t under our control. To a great degree, our thoughts, attitudes and actions determine how we age.

It’s been proven time and time again that how we treat ourselves, and how we view ourselves can greatly affect the aging process. If you are a person who gives in to the ravages of time, you will become infirm, unfit and unattractive, just as you feared.

However, if instead you decide to take the necessary steps to create youthfulness for your entire life, that prize can be yours.

It takes work, commitment and courage.

You know that you must exercise and eat carefully, but are you doing it? You must truly acknowledge that with reversing aging, the stakes are high. If you are ready to accept the downsides of being older, they will definitely visit you. But if you are resolute about changing your habits, you will reap the benefits of a life of productivity and ageless beauty.

What can you do right now?

● Begin a vigorous exercise program. If you need motivation, hire a trainer.

● Eliminate all fried foods, white sugar and flour and all fast foods.

● Make sure to eat fresh fruit and vegetables daily, preferably organically grown.

● Research vitamins, minerals and herbs, and begin taking them regularly.

● keep checking yourself, front and back, in the mirror in a WELL-LIGHTED room. acknowledge your flaws, and quickly take steps to change them so that they are pleasing to you.

one of my “hattietudes” is

“what gets hidden, gets ugly”

● and, if your choose not to change certain things, that’s fine, just make sure to honor and respect your choices…and the aging process itself.

“be good to yourself through time, and time will return the favor!”

SEX AND AGING Different…But Still Wonderful

I don’t think that there’s one living soul that doesn’t fear that aging will rob them of the joys of sex. This fear, though natural, and certainly common, does not have to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. We are brainwashed into believing that making love is reserved for the young, and because of this, we often spend our golden years dreading the future.

Who wants that?

I certainly didn’t. As soon as I “hit” menopause – or, if you prefer – when it hit me – I vowed to do everything in my power not to lose my sex drive. I quickly realized that to achieve this goal would take focus and work. I was up for both. After all, with such high stakes, my motivation was strong. This is what I learned.

First of all, you must start by appreciating yourself. Nothing takes away sexuality faster than self-hatred. Whenever a nasty thought about aging surfaces, turn it around immediately. As you develop a deep love for yourself at every stage of life, you will reap the benefits that time provides.

Yes, your love-making style will change. Perhaps you’re not as fit as you once were. Or, if you’re ill, that will interfere as well. But there’s a difference between something not being the same, and something that is gone forever. I believe that the capacity for love increases over the years, not decreases.

So, if the physical expression of love, which may not be as strong as it once was, is enhanced with greater emotional and spiritual attributes, your sex life, though different, can be deeply satisfying, wonderful…and let’s not forget…FUN!

THE SECRET OF YOUTH: Aging Gracefully – Possible and Wonderful

As the creator of Retroage, I am often asked, “What is the secret of youth?” There are so many individuals that are afraid of aging; all eager to learn whatever “secrets” I can share to help them age gracefully.

In my experience, there are four essential secrets to aging gracefully:

1. First, and most important is to desire youthfulness with all your heart and soul.

2. Second, you must be open to change and ready to receive answers on how to become young.

3. You must take the necessary steps to achieve your goals.

4. Believe that you will achieve your heart’s desire.

5. Don’t stop when you hit hurdles…and you will

People often say, “You’re only as young as you feel.” Actually I disagree, with my usual answer being, “Maybe… but only until you look in the mirror!” For me, the only guaranteed way to age gracefully is to keep working at it, never accepting the discouraging words, “you’re too old.”

Yes, there will be times when you’ll get discouraged, even feel too tired or lazy to fight for your passions. Certainly, this has happened to me many times over the years. But I am resolute in my desire, open to change, take the necessary steps, believe that I will achieve my goals…and I never give up!

So you see, I’ve personally practiced the four secrets, and have earned unprecedented youthfulness in my mind, my body and spirit. I wish that for you as well.

CHANGING NEGATIVE ATTITUDES ABOUT AGING

Attitude is a very powerful tool in controlling our lives. If we are in the habit of creating frightening images for the future, it will not only be depressing, it might even determine how our lives will turn out.

Now, I want to encourage and assure you that even though you may dread the aging process, and are certain it will turn you into a hopeless hag, this attitude can be changed. In fact, it MUST be changed.

But first, you must want that, and want it passionately

I will share with you that I was terrified that aging would take away all the things that I have loved doing all my life. I was afraid that I would be too old to go dancing, to date, or to have sex. I wondered what would happen to my looks. Would I become saggy, fat and unappealing? These doubts haunted me day and night.

But the good part of it is that instead of my fears holding me back, they actually inspired me to take action. I combed books, took classes, ordered exercise equipment, hired a massage therapist, a trainer... you name it, I tried it.

Now in my seventies, I am remarkably fit. I swim and exercise regularly, eat nutritious, organic food, and, most important, keep my spirits lifted by maintaining a positive attitude.

You can have this too. It’s a matter of focus, and determination.

Don’t give up on your body and spirit and they won’t give up on you!

CHANGING NEGATIVE ATTITUDES ABOUT AGING Don’t expect your attitudes toward aging – and yourself – to change overnight. Don’t allow backslides to discourage you. Backslides are to be expected. Keep working in the face of them. Don’t think you are too old for really dramatic changes. Consider that what you think about aging is based on your past history, and the past history of humanity (in our culture). It may be entirely off the mark and ready for major revision – culturally and personally. Be ready to give up old concepts, habits and possessions. Last, but not least, be prepared to get depressed, disgusted, and discouraged! Remember that the first step to transformation is discontent and disgust with what already exists. I call this “Creative Self-Disgust”.

ALTER YOUR ATTITUDE = ALTER YOUR AGING

There are times when we all need an inspirational nudge to keep our spirits up. Who hasn’t experienced how the right words at the right time can make a huge positive difference? I believe that it’s important to continuously create verbal boosters, or “affirmations.” and repeat them as mantras whenever our spirits slacken. In this way, we’ll turn those negative attitudes into positive ones, and be motivated to make necessary changes in our lives.

To achieve an attitude shift in relation to my specialty, the aging process, since my name is Hattie, I’ve created Hattietudes™. Here are 20 positive affirmations designed to be “booster shots” that inject you with fresh energy and optimism about the aging process.

20 HATTIETUDES™ TO INSPIRE YOU TO RETROAGE Age is not the reason…it’s the excuse. Never forget the YOU in Youth. Impossible = I’m Possible Life gets harder, but you get smarter. The hands of time are yours. Take aging into your own hands. Don’t let gravity get you down. Fighting Mother Nature is good exercise. Love is contagious. Go out and catch some. Your first youth is a gift from nature; your life-long one is a gift from yourself. Convert envy into inspiration and you’ll never run out of fuel. Blame and shame maim. Age doesn’t make you forget … it teaches you what’s important to remember. Bless every rejection. It takes hundreds to get one good yes. Wrinkles don’t make you old. Babies have plenty of them. Suffering is an option you don’t have to pick up. Where there’s a will there’s a won’t. Respect the negative. Never give up your dreams. They keep you awake. If it’s been done, you can do it. If it hasn’t, you can be the first. Learn to love hard work. It’s the only way anything gets done. Youth isn’t wasted on the young – or on anyone else!