What type of grandparent do you want to be? The strong and healthy kind that plays with the grandkids, even learning new sports later in life? Or the frail, retreating kind that sits and watches, instead? Well, we all know which we would rather be: strong and healthy, right? Strength makes all the difference as we age. We all lose muscle as we age unless we practice resistance training to maintain muscle. Without it, we get to the point where we simply can’t do much of anything.
Read MoreBeing obese means having a bigger body, of course. But research indicates it also means having a smaller brain – and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. “The more we understand about (body fat), the clearer it becomes that belly fat is its own disease-generating organism,” said Dr. Lenore Launer in a statement by the National Institutes of Health.
Read MoreAt every stage in life, physical health is tied to mental health. When we feel good physically, we’re more likely to feel good mentally, as well. And with dementia, depression, anxiety, and loneliness higher among people later in life, this is one more reason to get or stay physically fit. The World Health Organization has six tips for good mental health, and May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Four of WHO’s reasons are clearly connected to physical fitness.
Read MoreAfter age 50 or so, many people start to gain weight, develop high blood pressure, and become frailer and weaker by the day. Plus, we have universal fears that getting older means we’ll be likely to fall and develop dementia, losing our independence in life. But what if I told you about a miracle drug that would help you lose weight, manage your blood pressure, and improve your bone density and strength? What if this drug also helped prevent falls and memory loss?
Read MoreSometimes I like to share answers to questions I get asked the most. Here are a few of them. Enjoy!
Q. Are there any real health benefits to it? A. It’s hard to believe, but I hear this question often, so it must be true that many people don’t know about this. The simple answer is: There are COUNTLESS real health benefits for regular exercise, particularly after age 50 or so.
Parents might tell their kids to correct their posture more to instill pride and project confidence. But good posture is about a lot more at this stage of life. As we age, our bodies are “de-volving” into a more rounded, slumped posture. Not only does that add years to our appearance, but it also contributes to joint and muscle misalignment, which creates bad movement patterns.
Read MoreToo many myths cloud the topics of aging and fitness. They keep people from living a healthy lifestyle, and most come from younger people and society at large. But there’s one super-persistent myth that people over 50 perpetuate themselves. To be more precise, women over 50 use this falsehood too often to avoid the most important type of exercise they need: strength training. “I don’t want to lift weights because I don’t want to get all big and bulky.”
Read MoreDid you start the new year with a big fitness goal – like losing weight or going to the gym three times a week? And have you found it hard to stick to it, like so many people do every year? While setting goals can be motivating, it's easy to get discouraged when we don't see immediate progress or face unexpected setbacks. Instead of focusing on specific goals, what if we shifted our attention to the process of improving ourselves every day, one step at a time?
Read MoreWe usually think of February as the month of hearts for Valentine’s Day, but February is also heart-health awareness month in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and other countries. It’s observed to raise awareness and to help people lose weight, eat better, invigorate their exercise routines, and more.
Read MoreWhat’s the secret to a long, happy marriage? For Karl and Susan, who just celebrated 61 years together, it’s a combination of things. Like being kind and thoughtful with each other, while maintaining common interests and enjoying walks on the beach… And keeping the romance alive, with sweet gestures every day, like the way he brings her tea in bed every morning… And … EXERCISE!
Read MoreIndia Bridgette is a professor in the course titled “What’s Possible?” The 61-year-old champion sprinter and former Marine knows it takes discipline to answer that question and to excel at anything. She recently added strength training to that answer, too – for everyone, no matter what age, lifestyle, or fitness goals. Working out with weights has helped her show What’s Possible on the track and in everyday life.
Read MoreTodd Allen and his wife took a European trip seven years ago. He felt terrible by the time they got home. Blood tests revealed cancer. Stage 4. Bone marrow. Todd went through 18 months of chemotherapy and had knee surgery and hip surgery. Never much for exercise, Todd then made a decision: “After the recovery, I said I gotta get my act together.”
Read MoreYou might not realize it, but if you’re getting fit or staying fit after 50, then you are riding the wave of one of the hottest trends in fitness around the world. TWO trends, actually, according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), which has released its 17th annual survey on the hot topics in the fitness industry.
Read MoreAbout new year resolutions, there’s bad news, and then there’s good news. First the bad news: Most of them fail. Now the good news: People over 50 have more life experience and tools to succeed at them. You’re more realistic, focused and balanced.
Read MorePackaged, ultra-processed foods are convenient and tasty. They’re handy to have around the house for the grandkids or for snacking. But they’re not good for us – not for our bodies OR our brains. We’re talking hot dogs, burgers, sausages, cookies, cakes, doughnuts, and the like. You already know they contribute to obesity and other negative physical effects.
Read MoreA 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.
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