A motto can be effective for anyone trying to get in shape. Angela Staab uses one you’ve heard before or seen on T-shirts. But she also has come up with her own bit of advice and encouragement “You can’t be a slug.” Now almost 80, she has used it to motivate her through life as a “senior athlete,” working out with a trainer regularly, enjoying time with family, and improving her quality of life.
Read MoreEver heard someone say something like this? “Oh, he’s a very handsome man for his age. ”What about: “I don’t like waiting on old people because they’re so tight with their money.” These are all part of the persistent myths attached to people over 50. But like many myths, they’re wrong when it comes to the millions and millions of active agers who are fit and determined to enjoy life as long as possible.
Read More“I don’t have time” is a leading reason people don’t exercise. Believe it or not, for many of us, the holidays could be the PERFECT time to start working out. “It’s so easy to say you’re too busy during the holidays, so you’ll wait until the new year,” says longtime fitness coach and entrepreneur Rick Mayo.
Read MoreThe holidays are a great opportunity for “quality time” between grandparents and grandkids. And that includes physical activity.
In fact, all year long, people over 50 say that being strong for their grandchildren is their No. 1 reason for staying fit – or for wanting to get fit in the first place.
Read MoreFitness goals drive Jerry Mathis. They compel him to accomplish athletic feats that most people wouldn’t attempt – let alone most people who are 76 years old. “If I just went to the gym to exercise without also having a goal in mind, I’m not sure how much progress I would make – in my physical abilities or mental,” says Jerry, a retired music teacher. “Part of what works for me is having a goal. I enjoy it.”
Read MoreHere are more of the questions I’m often asked about exercise after age 50. Let me know of any other questions you have! I am happy to answer them.
Read MoreNobody likes belly fat, but almost everybody struggles with it to some degree. Among all kinds of fat, belly fat is the one that gets the most attention. I am frequently asked to help my training partners lose weight – and often, it’s specifically about the extended, round belly that tends to accumulate after 50 or so. Here’s the good news: Belly fat isn’t inevitable. We’re here to show you how to exercise and eat right to lose body fat for better health -- and to feel, look, and move better.
Read MoreFor some reason, we all started thinking we had to take 10,000 steps a day for good health. It seemed to take hold when fitness trackers became popular, and we all were talking about “getting my steps in” every day. Well, despite some questions over the years about the validity of that number, new scientific studies say that, indeed, we do need about that many steps a day to get the most health benefit.
Read MoreI love this subject and never get tired of sharing the good news: Scientific evidence keeps showing the link between exercise and a lower risk of developing dementia. One paper published recently in Neurology looked at 38 studies that followed more than 2 million people over at least three years. It found that people who exercised regularly had a 17 percent less chance of getting dementia, compared to people who did not.
Read MoreOctober is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a good time to remember that some risk factors are beyond our control, like age, race, and family history.
But, as the National Breast Cancer Foundation points out, we can adjust some behaviors to lower other risk factors.
Read MoreSheila Howard didn’t recognize herself in the mirror after she ballooned to more than 300 pounds in her late 40s. “I looked foreign to myself. I said, ‘I know you’re in there. You’re trapped inside yourself, and we’re going to get you out,’” Sheila recalls now at 57. It took years, but she finally did, after two scary medical diagnoses, multiple surgeries – and completely changing her lifestyle to include exercise and healthy eating.
Read MoreRemember in school when the health teacher warned you about drinking? She probably said something like: Alcohol kills brain cells, and YOU NEVER GET NEW BRAIN CELLS. Scary stuff. Well, guess what? It’s not true about never getting new brain cells – although the choices you make in life affect your brain health and even your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Read MorePickleball just keeps growing and growing – in popularity and in media attention. It’s beyond trendy now, with some 5 million people playing, many of them active agers over 50 – and beyond. So, it’s important to point out something that many folks might not realize: Gym workouts make you a better pickleball player.
Read MoreRicky Banks is a walking advertisement for fitness over 50 – which makes sense because he owns a successful gym and turned 57 this year. But it’s true now more than ever after a near-fatal medical emergency this year. Doctors and Ricky believe his healthy lifestyle helped him survive the loss of blood, the surgery, and the medically induced coma of his ordeal.
Read MoreWe often underestimate how much our friendship means to others, a new study says. So, we’re shy to reach out to old friends, afraid it will be awkward or unappreciated. The research says: Reach out! You’ll be glad you did.
Read MoreA common myth about aging says that after 50, people (especially women) face a dreary life of loneliness, physical difficulty, and despair. But the opposite is true for millions, who are finding that the "grandma years" are turning out to be the best time of their lives.
Read MoreWas it Freud who said we can’t get through the day without telling ourselves seven little lies? Or was it that magazine at the dentist’s office? Doesn’t matter! The point is: We all love to tell ourselves “harmless” fibs to avoid doing something we know we “should” do. It’s easier than confronting the truth and finding new, powerful motivation to make positive changes.
Read MoreWhen Glenna Brown’s husband became ill, she found that regular exercise at a nearby studio helped her deal with the stress and remain strong enough to be a good caregiver. When he died, Glenna (above, left) found more: a loving support group that helped her through her loss and a new friend who was going through a similar experience.
Read MoreLike most women of her generation, Margaret Cone, now 79, never saw much reason to lift weights. She had always been pretty active and tried to stay in decent shape. Her family had a strong health history. But about 10 years ago, Margaret noticed she had gained weight from the long hours she was putting in at her sedentary job. And to make things worse, her doctor diagnosed her with high blood pressure.
Read MoreDon Phillips won a slew of medals at the recent National Senior Games. But the real value of his healthy lifestyle is far more ordinary. It’s also what so many people want as they get older: functional fitness.
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