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Most baby boomers today are buying into the aging myths. They think its normal to add a few pounds, be less active, and expect their health to decline, as they get older. Men and women alike give in to the expectations of growing older, and believe what is happening to them is natural. Yet, these “normal” attitudes are robbing boomers of the lives they deserve. Boomers buying into the myths are aging prematurely - over half have high cholesterol, 2/3rds are overweight and 1/3 already have cardiovascular disease.

Overcoming the Myths of Aging challenges the aging myths to which boomers have become accustom and that are aging them prematurely. The book provides a framework to understand, develop and maintain the levels of good nutrition, fitness and positive attitude that fit a typical boomer lifestyle, making it easier for them to loose weight, look great and live a happier and healthier life. Overcoming the Myths of Aging brings to light the primary issues that are the foundation for the aging myths that are being reinforced all around us, and offers a simple and easy to implement plan to address the myths

The book begins by examining the experience of the author, Roe Gallo, Ph.D., in defeating her own health myths and continues by leveraging the principles of human physiology to reveal the influence of toxicity, malnutrition and negative attitudes that are at the root of the aging myths. Once these influences are reduced or eliminated the body’s own ability to rejuvenate kicks in.

Each of the myths – sick, fat, flabby, too late, and sex – are examined for root cause and revealed to have much less to do with aging than with personal choice and misinformation. The book makes frequent use of examples from the author’s consulting experience and from individuals who have clearly demonstrated that age has not limited their health, energy or potential.

Overcoming the Myths of Aging presents a plan (the OTM plan) to address the aging myths that is composed of three components: food, exercise, and mind. The foundation of the OTM plan is good nutrition. Unlike diets, Overcoming the Myths of Aging is not about stopping readers from enjoying what they love, but about helping them to make healthy choices so they can have the energy to really enjoy their life.

The OTM plan seeks to eliminate the negative effects of toxicity that are the foundation of many of the diseases, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, that are common among the boomers, and also takes direct steps to curb the cycle of malnutrition and craving that is caused by eating the junk food so prevalent in today’s society.

At the heart of the book’s OTM Plan is the concept of “enhancing” and “compromising” foods. Enhancing foods are foods that deliver the maximum nutritional value to the body – typically fresh, raw, organic fruits and vegetables. Overcoming the Myths of Aging proposes to make enhancing foods the majority of the food eaten, and offers suggestions on how to balance enhancing foods with compromising foods so readers do not feel they are making the sacrifices that are the downside of common diet plans.

The positive effects of exercise are also critical to defying the myths of aging and are a core part of the book. Overcoming the Myths of Aging places an emphasis on creating a regular pattern of exercise and in addition to training suggestions and work out routines, highlights the many of opportunities for exercise present themselves throughout the day. Simple things like using the stairs instead of an elevator when possible, taking a walk at lunch, and taking small stretch breaks that are easy ways to work more exercise into the day. Above all the book reinforces that exercise should be something that can be enjoyed and kept as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. In the OTM plan, exercise starts with finding things readers love to do and doing them.

The third aspect of the OTM plan is focused on beliefs about aging and how they determine attitude, emotions, self-appreciation, and relationships with others, as boomers grow older. In combination with improved health and energy levels that the food and exercise portions of the OTM plan provide, the mind aspect of the OTM plan plays a role in helping to change the disempowering beliefs that cause boomers to buy into the myths of aging. Overcoming the Myths of Aging offers approaches and exercises to identify the beliefs that are disempowering, and to help create a framework to create core beliefs that can be used as part of the OTM plan to take away the false power of the aging myths.

Gallo also introduces co-author Stephen Zocchi to provide a first hand perspective of how a typical boomer can bust the myths of aging and change their own life. The book follows the conversations between Roe and Stephen as he challenges her on the myths and learns how boomers can take back control of their lives and their health. Stephen asks the questions that are top of mind for anyone who might consider learning to disbelieve their myths and make a change, and throughout the book he shares his perspectives as he makes the journey toward busting his own myths.

The conversational style of the book and the different perspectives of Gallo, who has been practicing and coaching these concepts over 20 years, and Zocchi, who is trying to make sense of the new information and put together a healthier lifestyle without too many sacrifices, creates a broader approach that lends itself much more readily to being easily embraced by readers. As emphasized in the book, even if one only adopts a few of the life-enhancing habits propose on a regular basis they will have improved their health and their lives, and seen the aging myths for what they truly are – myths!