Exercise can even benefit our eyes without us knowing it.
“WYSIWYG” (pronounced “wizzy-wig”) stands for What You See Is What You Get, which was first made popular by the late comedian Flip Wilson when his wonderful character “Geraldine” used the phrase to excuse her goofy and outrageous behaviors. WYSIWYG is used these days to describe the ability of a computer to print out onto paper an exact replica of whatever you are seeing on the monitor’s screen. The phrase is also popular beyond the computer world (for example, “What U See (Is What You Get)” by Britney Spears).
Some of my talks, however, are addressed to lay audiences—like those of you reading this blog. In these more casual talks, my goal is always to explain in plain language the science that lies behind my recommendations of how people can use physical activity to help with both weight loss and disease prevention.
Physical or emotional problems can occur at any age but they become more frequent as we get older. A stressful situation at work, a divorce or separation, a death in the family or a diagnosis of a serious health problem may lead us to fall into poor eating habits or give up on exercise.
Clearly, there has been an explosion in the numbers of people in the U.S. and around the world who are overweight and obese, two conditions directly related to the epidemic of type 2 diabetes. Though diabetes affects people of all ages, it strikes especially hard at those who are middle-aged or older. Besides increasing the risk of heart attack, obesity and diabetes greatly amplify the risks of eye and kidney diseases, foot problems, and peripheral arterial disease, each a source of much disability.
Most of you already know that exercise plays an important role in promoting health, from helping with weight loss and mood to controlling blood pressure and glucose levels. But if you’re part of the “sedentary majority,” then you also know you’re not exercising enough. Many people simply don’t enjoy getting physically active. And even if they do, exercise is not a priority, or they may be limited by health problems.
Did you know that the loss of strength and stamina often attributed to aging is, in part, due to reduced physical activity? So come on, get moving—and try working up to at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, five days a week. Follow these tips to protect yourself from injuries while exercising.
A warm bath, as well as the topical application of heat, can benefit sore muscles and joints in a number of ways, and physical therapists often make use of both of these strategies.
Walking is now the most popular sport in the U.S., with about 40 million Americans striding out to keep fit, and that number continues to grow. If you choose walking as your main form of exercise, take into account any physical or health limitations you may have; remember to warm up before your walk and cool down afterward; and add to the time, intensity and distance of your program only gradually.
Moderate physical activity may help maintain memory function longer, possibly years longer, for people genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease.
These older adults are living proof that exercise and physical activity are good for you, no matter how old you are.
No matter what you set out to achieve, the Linden Ponds fitness staff and www.New-Body-News.com suggests you follow a few simple guidelines to increase your chances of success. All that is required for wintertime workouts is some planning and employing all safety precautions. And if the thought of getting outside to exercise makes you dive under the covers, instead choose one of the many indoor workout options.
If you have heard that you need less sleep as you get older, don’t believe it. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) says we continue to need anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep daily, no matter what our age.
"We are seeing fundamental changes in the way we think about and deliver health and long-term care," Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina Carbonell, said at the White House Conference on Aging.
Chances are you or someone you know has one or more chronic conditions such as asthma, arthritis, or diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 80% of older adults have at least one chronic condition, and 50% have at least two.
Holiday Tips That Will Save You Time and Stress
In a survey by the American Heart Association (AHA), only 13 percent of women perceived heart disease as their greatest health concern. And only one in five of their physicians knew more women die each year from cardiovascular disease than men. This despite the fact that heart disease is the number one killer of women: 500,000 every year.
Estimates say the average primary care doctor now sees anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 patients each year. It’s a number that makes it nearly impossible for doctors to provide personalized care.