Month: December 2019

How to keep our New Year’s resolutions: Seven science-based strategies In his Daily Article today, Dr. Jim Dennison writes: Researchers say about 60 percent of us make resolutions each new year. That’s a remarkable figure. It’s higher than the percentage of Americans who vote in presidential elections or the percentage of Americans ages eighteen and older who are married. However, researchers report that only about 8 percent of us are successful at keeping the resolutions we make. How can we do better? Here are seven science-based strategies: Pick a theme for your year based on what changes would make you happiest, then develop habits during the year to fulfill it.Enhance habits by identifying what motivates them and finding better ways to meet that underlying need.Begin forming a habit by working…

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: ... half of the premature cancer deaths in the US could be attributed to lack of adherence to the five low-risk factors, including (1) not smoking, (2) maintaining a normal weight, (3) physical activity, (4) no or limited alcohol, and (5) a high-quality diet. Fit over 50, Five Habits to Live Ten Years Longer (or More)! Order Fo50 Here Now recent research indicates that exercise may lower risk for seven cancer types. NBC News reports research indicates “exercise is linked to a reduced risk of seven types of cancer, and the more physical activity the better.” In the study, “participants reported their leisure-time physical activity, and were followed for a decade, on…

This is from the thirteenth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends to join us. (more…)

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: Steve Wilson, a psychologist and self-proclaimed “joyologist,” says, "There is a kind of unhappiness that cannot be repaired by getting, because it requires giving. There is a kind of dissatisfaction, disappointment, and absence of joy that is remedied by giving something out, doing something for others… Happiness is an inside job that consists of… remembering who you are (precious), finding your source, laughing often, serving with love.”Fit over 50, XOXO, Essential #7 -- Positive Self Image, page 68 Order Fo50 Here We all know giving helps and pleases others, whether it's giving gifts at Christmas, volunteering during the holidays, offering emotional support to those around us, or donating to worthy charities. But…

This is from the twenty-seventh chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you’ll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me and if you do, you’ll be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. The Best Christmas Present Ever (Part 3) We arrived at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville in a driving snowstorm. I dropped Barb at the emergency room entrance and parked the car. By the time I arrived in the ER, Barb had been whisked up to the obstetrics unit and was already being evaluated by the admitting nurse, who had spoken by phone with the admitting physician—Sedrick Porter, M.D. Our admitting nurse, Marie, had been a labor and delivery nurse for her entire career—all of which had been at this hospital. “I am…

This is from the twenty-sixth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me and if you do, be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. (more…)

This is from the twenty-sixth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me and if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. (more…)

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we devote a whole chapter to MOVE! We write: “If you’re plopped on a bed, couch, or chair right now,” write the editors of Reader’s Digest, “you might have what is arguably the most common health problem in America today—sitting disease.” That might sound silly. But prolonged sitting—sedentary living—has been shown by researchers to play a significant role in many of the most troublesome health issues of our time, from obesity and heart disease to diabetes and depression.Fit over 50, Tip #12, MOVE!, pages 149-156 Order Fo50 Here Reuters reported researchers found that “sedentary older adults” who “start exercising” will “lower their risk of heart disease.” For the study, “researchers examined data on more than…

This is from the twelfth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends to join us. (more…)

Of my 33 books, by far the most popular are the three books from my medical practice in Bryson City, North Carolina (Bryson City Tales, Bryson City Seasons, and Bryson City Secrets) in the early 1980s (1981-1985). Many have requested I write about my days of practice in Kissimmee (1985-2001). Well, I have great news for you! I’m excited to tell you that I’m releasing the first of two books about my Kissimmee days called “The Best Medicine: Tales of Humor and Hope from a Small-Town Doctor.” It will release in the fall of 2020.  I wanted you to be the first to know that I’m putting together a book launch team called the “Kissimmee Kowboys.”  If you’d like to help me tell other people about “The Best Medicine,” I’d love to have…

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: Your dentist and dental hygienist can have a positive influence on your physical, emotional, and relational health. The connection between oral health and overall health is clear in multiple studies. As one insurance company writes, “From heart disease to diabetes and oral cancer to premature births, dental care has an impact on total health and well-being.”Fit over 50, Essential #10, Your Healthcare Team, page 86 Order Fo50 Here A just-released study confirms our advice and adds a recommendation to brush three times a day! Newsweek reports, “Brushing one’s teeth at least three times a day was linked with a 12 percent lower risk of heart failure, and 10 percent lower chance…

This is from the twelfth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends to join us. (more…)

I was honored to "spend an hour" with my friend, Chris Fabry, on his nationally-broadcast Moody Radio program, "Chris Fabry Live," yesterday (December 3, 2019). We discussed my most recent book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, and took questions from callers. Chris' producer wrote: ​Have you picked up a few extra pounds in the past year that you’d like to see go away? Maybe there are some health issues that could be alleviated if you became “fit.” Dr. Walt Larimore returns to help you make simple choices today for a healthier, happier you. If you need some practical help and a little hope for being fit over 50, don’t miss this program on Chris Fabry Live.Tricia McMillan, Producer, "Chris Fabry Live" Here is a…

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: Jayson D. Bradley writes, “The word ‘gratitude’ first showed up in the mid-fifteenth century. Adapted from the Latin word gratitudinem, which means ‘thankfulness,’ gratitude came to express deep, reciprocal appreciation for kindness received.” The ancient biblical narrative speaks abundantly about gratitude and being grateful (Jonah 2:9; Psalm 100, 118:28-29, 136:1-3, 147:7; Acts 24:3; Romans 6:4; Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). The words thank(s), thankful(ness), and thanksgiving appear in Scripture more than 170 times. Fit over 50, TIP #20, Develo an Attitude of Gratitude, pages201-204. Order Fo50 Here Writer G.K. Chesterton said, “When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”…

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter: Calling All “Bryson City” Fans – Join an Exclusive ClubToday’s Christian Living “Ask Dr. Walt” columnPrayer Requests for Upcoming EventsPast Issues 1) Calling All “Bryson City” Fans – Join an Exclusive Club Of my 33 books, by far the most popular are the three books from my medical practice in Bryson City, North Carolina (Bryson City Tales, Seasons, and Secrets) in the early 1980s. Many have requested I write about my days of practice in Kissimmee. Well, I have great news for you.  I’m excited to tell you that I’m releasing the first of two books about Kissimmee called “The Best Medicine: Tales of Humor and Hope from a Small-Town Doctor” in September 2020.  I wanted you to be that I’m putting together a book…