People used to say you could learn about someone’s character by the firmness of a handshake. Now, research tells us that grip strength can also be an indicator of how long you might live. And it’s not the only everyday way to get a glimpse into longevity. Studies also say we can learn about our future health by measuring...
Read MoreWe’re often asked if just walking isn’t “good enough” for people over 50. The short answer is: Nope. Sorry, but it’s not. Walking IS a great first step – pun intended. So, if you’re thinking of starting an exercise program, then yes – get up and go for a walk. Or, if you’ve already been walking more than normal, then now is the time to take that next step.
Read MorePeople are living longer than ever before. They’re also working longer, too, with many maintaining jobs after 50 that keep them traveling on a regular basis. That can make fitness extra-challenging for active adults still enjoying their demanding careers. Steady business travel can mean long days; restless nights; little incentive to exercise; and eating heavy meals in restaurants or lousy ones at conferences. In short, it can be a quick route to weight gain and other unhealthy outcomes.
Read MoreSelf-care is important throughout life, and especially after age 50 or so. From having a “happy place” like a lake cabin to exercising regularly and eating right, it’s vital to love yourself every day through taking positive steps to enjoy life, stay in good health, and thrive at any age. Take a look at this checklist to see how you’re doing and where you might “level up” a bit.
Read MoreHere’s a common exercise question, followed by a helpful explanation. “Why do you sometimes have us twist our bodies while we’re also moving forward? Or lift our arms in front while lunging to the side?” You see, fitness isn’t just about doing one thing at a time, like lifting a weight now and then running ahead in a straight line later.
Read MoreTony, a lifelong tennis player, is in his mid-50s now. When he started noticing his game wasn’t as sharp as it used to be, he thought gym workouts might help restore his power and relieve some pain. But the trainer he used ignored Tony’s personal needs and past injuries, even when Tony said he didn’t like certain exercises. “He just kept saying ‘Do it more’ and ‘Try harder,’” Tony says. “I quit going. I just didn’t see the point.”
Read MorePeter likes to run the trails in his neighborhood and work out on equipment in the park. Maria is crazy about hiking with her weighted backpack. And Joe rides his bike as often as possible, even to the grocery store and his favorite watering hole. These are just three of the responses received recently when asking people what kinds of activities they enjoy outside of the gym.
Read MoreDonnaJean Wilde, a 58-year-old retired educator, made headlines recently when she set a world record for abdominal planking by a woman.
She received official recognition from the Guinness World Record folks for holding a plank for 4 hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds in Magrath, a town in Alberta, Canada. That was 10 minutes longer than the previous record, set in 2019, Guinness says on its website.
Read MoreHere’s a “hot take” on a common bit of advice that tells us to “Never look back – you’re not going that way.” Yeah, sure. But here’s the deal. If you don’t look back sometimes, then how can you review where you’ve been – and feel great about how far you’ve come? If you’re always looking ahead to a goal off on the horizon, then you’re always going to be unsatisfied – because that goal, and the horizon, will constantly move farther away from your grasp.
Read MoreDo you want to live to be 100? More people are reaching that mark nowadays than ever before, and the trend will skyrocket in the coming decades. The topic of longevity is having a moment, darn near approaching a cultural obsession. What can we do to live NOT JUST LONGER but also BETTER. What role does exercise play in all of this?
Read MoreMillions of people struggle with depression, and lots of those take medicine or talk to a therapist for treatment.
But did you know physical exercise is just as effective, according to research?
Read MoreNew research in the journal JAMA Neurology shows that living a healthy lifestyle protects the brain from cognitive decline even if it already shows signs of Alzheimer’s hallmarks or other brain pathologies that can occur long before dementia.
Read MoreIt’s the time of year when everyone wants to build new habits, and “getting in shape” is always one of the most popular New Year resolutions. I love it, of course, and welcome everyone who’s starting this month – and all the returning friends who are back for more strength, endurance, and agility.
Read MoreYou’ve heard of low-carb diets and low-fat diets. But you’ve probably never heard of anyone telling you to avoid eating protein – especially after age 50 or so, when we need to double our efforts to get enough of it. You need protein to grow and maintain muscle mass, which we naturally lose as we mature, causing frailty, falls, and more problems.
Read MoreIt’s easy to think of aging as a steady decline. But fitness proves it doesn’t have to be that simple and dreadful. If you exercise regularly, you’re more likely to maintain physical abilities. Period. So think of it as a sliding scale – with physical dependence at one end and being an elite athlete on the other. Nobody wants to be physically dependent, of course. And while most of us don’t aspire to be an elite athlete, everybody wants something in the broad middle there. We want to be fit so we can stay independent and avoid becoming frail for as long as possible.
Read MoreHere’s a gift from the world of science to anyone thinking about whether exercise and aging go together.
If you’re afraid to try strength training, or if you think you’re too old or too banged up or too fragile… well, think again. A new study found that people in their 60s, 70s and beyond can start lifting weights, quickly make significant improvements, and improve their strength, health and mobility. What’s more, the study found that weightlifting is good for people in their 80s and 90s.
Read MoreWhen Pat moved to a new town in her 60s, she quickly visited the local animal shelter to volunteer. Pat always has been an animal-lover, and she thought volunteering would be a good way to meet people and learn about the community.
Read MoreThe holidays can be a “good news, bad news” situation for some people. The good news: We get time off from work, we get to see families and friends, and we get to eat our favorite foods. The bad news: Disrupted schedules, busy calendars, and extra calories can throw us off our healthy tracks. It doesn’t have to be this way. You can enjoy the holidays AND maintain the commitments you’ve made all year to eating right and exercising regularly.
Read MoreFifteen years ago, Alan Rosenthal was a fit 60-year-old who had just returned from a bicycle trip through France. Then a blood test revealed type 2 diabetes. His doctor gave him a three-day course on diet, exercise, and self-care. The doctor also recommended a local trainer. And even though Alan knew his way around a gym, he adopted a new perspective and learned workouts to keep him healthy.
Read MoreIn this “scary” season, let’s talk about fear. The fear that keeps you from improving your health and quality of life. The fear of starting your fitness journey or, if you’re already on it, the fear of pushing yourself to new heights. It can keep you frozen in your tracks worse than Dracula or the wolfman.
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