The Journey for Life & Health Coaches Mary and Dennis Duke bring you personal experiences and articles on changing your fitness, lifestyle and attitude with instruction and products. This Life, Health and Fitness website is for all ages and for those who want to change their lives, maintain their health and become physically fit.
Have you heard exercise is important for older adults, but don’t know where to begin? You’re not alone. Many seniors feel discouraged by fitness barriers, such as chronic health conditions or concerns about injury or falls. If you’ve never exercised before, you may not know where to begin. Or maybe an ongoing health problem or disability is keeping you from getting active. Perhaps you think you’re too old or frail. The truth is that you … [Read more...]
Is it safe for me to exercise? It is safe for most adults older than 65 years to exercise. Even patients who have chronic illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis, can exercise safely. Many of these conditions are improved with exercise. If you are not sure if exercise is safe for you or if you are currently inactive, ask your doctor. How do I get started? It is important to wear loose, comfortable … [Read more...]
"Physical activity has been engineered out of our daily lives," laments David Atkins, M.D., M.P.H., chief medical officer in the Center for Outcomes and Evidence at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. "We used to rake leaves by hand and walk to the market," Dr. Atkins says. "Now we have leaf blowers and take the car everywhere." So a lot of us don't get the kind of day-to-day physical activity we need. … [Read more...]
Physical activity after a first heart attack reduces the chances of a recurrence, according to a recent survey conducted by the University of Texas - Houston Health Science Center. More than 400 Texans, aged 25 to 74, who survived at least four weeks after a first heart attack, were interviewed. Half were Mexican American, half were non-Hispanic white, and about one third were women. Those who increased their activity after their first heart … [Read more...]
Baby boomers are flocking to fitness centers in record numbers By Colette Bouchez WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature They may not be hanging Beatles posters on the walls, or piping in the soundtrack from Yellow Submarine. Still, more and more fitness centers are doing everything they can to attract the baby boom generation -- and it's working, with folks over 50 making up the fastest-growing segment of the fitness population. "For … [Read more...]
The older you are, the more important it is for you to do weight training. Doesn't seem right, does it? The ads for gyms and weight training products show buff young people showing off their svelte bodies or rippling muscles. Yet, although appearance is still important, older people really need to maintain their strength. There are millions of people, some as young as their 60s, whose activities are limited because they are too weak to take care … [Read more...]
Myth 1: There’s no point to exercising. I’m going to get old anyway. Fact: Exercise and strength training helps you look and feel younger and stay active longer. Regular physical activity lowers your risk for a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure, and obesity. Myth 2: Elderly people shouldn’t exercise. They should save their strength and rest. Fact: … [Read more...]
By Joy Karl Yoga is one of the best physical exercise programs for seniors. It allows older people to proceed at their own pace and to gradually gain more strength and flexibility. It goes without saying that there is no one “type” of senior. Technically, one becomes a senior around age 60-65. Some people at that age are already having a multitude of medical problems and some are as healthy and strong as people 20 or more years younger. It … [Read more...]
If you're having trouble getting out of the tub or tending your garden, your fitness may be slipping. A lack of fitness as you age can lead to immobility and frailty, hindering the simplest tasks. Researchers at California State University in Fullerton devised a test so people older than 60 can assess their fitness. This test will tell you how your fitness level compares with that of others your age. The results can help you take steps … [Read more...]
If you or someone you care for has, or is at risk of developing diabetes you are not alone. The United States is experiencing a diabetes epidemic. Over 18 million Americans have diabetes & 1.3 million new cases are diagnosed each year. It is estimated that over 5 million people are unaware that they have the disease. What Is Diabetes? Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism--the way our bodies use food for … [Read more...]
