In 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.
Read MoreDo you want to live a longer, healthier life? Then I have a show for you.
The idea of blue zones was popularized by author Dan Buettner in his book, “The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest.” He discovered five places in the world where have greater longevity and happy, healthy lives past 100.
When it comes to fitness over 50, some topics are just timeless and deserve our constant attention. These four subjects are not only relevant but also crucial, whether you're considering starting a fitness routine or you're already on your fitness journey.
Read MoreDo you hear Mother Nature calling?
How can you resist the temptation to get out and enjoy the cooler temps and the mesmerizing transformation of fall foliage? Even if it means a short drive to reach the perfect spot, the rewards of nature are worth it.
But there's more to this than just a visual treat. With a fall hike or even a leisurely stroll outdoors, you get a super-charged workout that doesn't even feel like exercise.
Read MoreNate Wilkins was living the good life. He was traveling a lot for work, as a parks and recreation administrator in Florida. He was eating out and indulging at business lunches and happy hours. Sure, he noticed he was packing on pounds, but he was busy -- dealing with that would have to wait.
Read MoreSeptember is a time of change, as temperatures get cooler, days get shorter, and leaves start to fall.
As the famous words – from the Bible and a 1960s hit song – tell us, “To everything turn, turn turn… There is a season… and a time to every purpose under heaven.” So, what can we learn about our healthy habits during this time of year? It’s a great question for everyone, no matter where you are on the fitness spectrum. And what better time to improve your position on that spectrum than during this month of change?
Read MoreNo one's sure where we got the idea that 10,000 is the ideal number of steps everybody should take every day. It doesn't seem to be based on anything scientific or medical. And the number might be daunting to people who are new to the idea of daily exercise.
Read MoreWill you be ready if adventure beckons?
For Rich and Liz Clapp, the answer was a resounding “Yes!” Their journey to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa wasn’t just a testament to their physical fitness, but also to the commitment they share to embracing life’s opportunities, no matter their age.
Read MoreRoy Englert survived not only World War II in the Navy, but he also survived being part of the historic D-Day invasion. Decades later, he’s also managed to become just one of two competitors to participate in all the National Senior Games, which have been held every two years, essentially, since 1987.
Read MoreWhy should you work out regularly?
For big muscles? To lose weight? To beat your brother-in-law at golf? Sure, all of those are good reasons for some people. But what about working out so you are better prepared for the activities of everyday life, like carrying in groceries and putting them up? Like having the stamina for a busy day of errands and grandkids? Or climbing up and down the stairs without getting winded?
Read MoreJudy Young has been swimming since she was a child. But this year was her first time competing at the National Senior Games. Judy, of Youngstown, New York, is 97. She underwent two surgeries last year and says swimming helped her recover. She’s dedicated to remaining active and enjoying her life.
Read MoreHere’s a “good news, bad news” situation. The good news: More people over 65 are exercising than ever before. The bad news: The percentage of mature adults who are physically active remains low – so low, in fact, that the US government calls it a “public health concern.” I couldn’t agree more. I’m doing everything I can to change that here in our community. But we need YOU to make the biggest impact – for yourself and your family.
Read MoreMost people probably know that physical exercise is good for their health. But now, a new study makes the connection even more powerful. If you’ve been waiting for One More Piece of Evidence to convince you to exercise, this might be it. Meeting guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise cuts the risk of dying from flu and pneumonia almost in half – by 48%, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Read MoreSome people are motivated to get strong and stay fit by one or two reasons. Among the most common for people over 50? Playing with grandkids, traveling, maintaining physical autonomy, and continuing to enjoy their favorite activities. Susan Kupferberg, 65, has all of those and more motivating her quest to get strong and stay fit.
Read MoreIf you think it’s expensive to eat right and exercise regularly, just consider the cost of being cheap with your health. For example, some people drink so many sodas that eliminating them could save almost $1,000 a year. That’s from health coach Kathryn Eyring, who presented “It’s Cheaper to be Healthy Than It Is to be Sick” at the Functional Aging Summit, an annual event for fitness professionals who serve people over 50.
Read MoreFalling is a major fear about growing older – and it’s a leading cause of injury and death among mature adults. It's also a common problem for people who don't yet consider themselves “old” in the traditional sense.
But it is not inevitable. Here are the top five ways to prevent falling, according to fitness, health and aging experts.
With so much pressure to look a certain way (usually thin and young for women), how can we maintain positive self-esteem and health at the same time? Wouldn’t it be nice to be at peace with your body image? Counselor and nutrition expert Nina Manolson says it’s especially difficult for women, and even more so later in life.
Read MoreWe’re halfway through the year, and it’s a great time to assess progress on health, fitness, and other goals you had at the start of 2023. Or… maybe you didn’t have any and are only thinking about creating some goals now. That’s fine! With a new season upon us, we’re here with 23 tips to make this your sunniest yet. Forget regret. Abandon perfection. Embrace consistency!
Read MoreHow many push-ups can you do? The answer could be helpful to keeping your heart healthy, according to a study by Harvard and other institutions published by the American Medical Association. Cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer worldwide. Contributing factors include diet, smoking, drink – and exercise. But predicting an individual’s likelihood to develop heart disease has been problematic. This survey seems to say that a quick test can act as a simple, no-cost, and generally effective crystal ball.
Read MoreHere’s further proof that exercise is good for us, body and brain alike. In recent months, research has been published showing that exercise is the “top theoretical treatment” for Alzheimer’s disease, aligning with previous research about how it fights dementia. Moderate physical activity among mature women helps lower the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia – again supporting the growing body of evidence that says physical exercise is also among our best defenses against losing mental health.
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