Warm Water Exercise for Fibromyalgia:
A recent study involving women with Fibromyalgia and warm water exercise was cited in Science Daily. People who suffer with Fibromyalgia have chronic inflammation in their muscles and the cause is not widely known. 90% of those affected are women.
This study looked at the effects of warm water exercise in a supervised program. Seventeen women participated in these one hour workouts, 3 times a week for 8 months. This was done in a waist deep pool heated to 91 degrees.
This particular design was found to be effective in reducing symptoms and improving their health-related quality of life. A previous study by the same researchers found that most of the gains achieved in a 12 week program were lost after a similar period of inactivity. This would suggest the need for a longer program or a maintenance program.
You should already know some of my thoughts. If at all possible, you need to do some type of movement to keep your muscles and joints from getting stiffer than they already are. This movement may not cure your particular condition, but it can help make it more manageable.
I have recently wrote about other Fibro studies that showed an improvement with exercise. Of course, you should start out slow and gradually increase the amount of time you are moving. Notice I said moving and not exercising. Getting even 15 minutes of movement here and there can help.
The researchers haven't yet compared the water exercise to more accessible and cheaper forms of exercise such as low-impact aerobics, walking and Tai Chi. If nothing else, you might try walking at a moderate pace for 15 minutes and gradually increasing this as your body adapts.
You might be interested in reading my article, Exercise Helps Women with Fibromyalgia
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Core Training for Baby Boomers:
Even if you are a non-exerciser, you've probably heard of core training and its importance in preventing low back pain. You've heard me talk about the importance of keeping your legs strong to help prevent falls and to maintain your mobility, now its time to address your midsection.
Your core consists of your abs and back muscles, along with the hips. Strengthening these muscles can improve your golf game, help protect your back, along with helping to prevent osteoporosis.
Swinging a golf club places a lot of stress on your back. If these muscles aren't strong you are at an increased risk of injury. Same goes for preventing osteoporosis. Changes in hormone levels may make women prone to this, so they need to do proper strength training to keep as much bone mass, as possible.
To make your exercise time more efficient, I like to have my clients do "core training" while on their feet. You can do this by using cable machines or resistance bands. Resistance bands are like thick rubber bands that you use to exercise.
By having someone do pushing and pulling exercises while standing, you strengthen your abs and low back at the same time you strengthen your upper body..... pretty efficient, if you ask me.
Because you are also standing you also work your legs a little, which can help with your balance.
Remember my balance advice? If you want to have greater balance while standing you need to challenge your muscles in a standing position. Same with your core - if you want more stability while swinging a golf club, you need to challenge these muscles in a standing position. This is more specific than doing everything while lying down.
This doesn't mean that I don't have my clients do core exercises on the floor, because I do. But at some point, you need to be strong and stable in a standing position. One way to do this would be to do some dumbbell exercises, or you could use a cable machine at the healthclub.
Another method would be using resistance band exercises. When you push or pull on the bands they tend to pull you back toward the secured end. This adds stability to your midsection that can decrease your risk of injury.
This added strength can also make your everyday activities easier to do. Decreasing the amount of time you spend exercising because of this efficiency isn't a bad idea either.
Even if you are a non-exerciser, you've probably heard of core training and its importance in preventing low back pain. You've heard me talk about the importance of keeping your legs strong to help prevent falls and to maintain your mobility, now its time to address your midsection.
Your core consists of your abs and back muscles, along with the hips. Strengthening these muscles can improve your golf game, help protect your back, along with helping to prevent osteoporosis.
Swinging a golf club places a lot of stress on your back. If these muscles aren't strong you are at an increased risk of injury. Same goes for preventing osteoporosis. Changes in hormone levels may make women prone to this, so they need to do proper strength training to keep as much bone mass, as possible.
To make your exercise time more efficient, I like to have my clients do "core training" while on their feet. You can do this by using cable machines or resistance bands. Resistance bands are like thick rubber bands that you use to exercise.
By having someone do pushing and pulling exercises while standing, you strengthen your abs and low back at the same time you strengthen your upper body..... pretty efficient, if you ask me.
Because you are also standing you also work your legs a little, which can help with your balance.
Remember my balance advice? If you want to have greater balance while standing you need to challenge your muscles in a standing position. Same with your core - if you want more stability while swinging a golf club, you need to challenge these muscles in a standing position. This is more specific than doing everything while lying down.
This doesn't mean that I don't have my clients do core exercises on the floor, because I do. But at some point, you need to be strong and stable in a standing position. One way to do this would be to do some dumbbell exercises, or you could use a cable machine at the healthclub.
Another method would be using resistance band exercises. When you push or pull on the bands they tend to pull you back toward the secured end. This adds stability to your midsection that can decrease your risk of injury.
This added strength can also make your everyday activities easier to do. Decreasing the amount of time you spend exercising because of this efficiency isn't a bad idea either.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Strengthening Muscles Will Reduce Falls:
This is the title of a syndicated article that appeared in the paper this week. You may recall the article on Balance 101 that I did last week. Interesting timing. I'm not the only one that finds this topic interesting.
Someone wrote the authors of this article with a question about osteoporosis. She is 53 and recently diagnosed with this loss of bone mass and her 80 year old mother had fallen and broken a hip.
Did you know that for people 65 and older, fall related injuries are the leading cause of accidental death?
Osteoporosis is related to bone fractures in this population. Slowed reflexes, decreased balance, and weak muscles also play a role. The authors advise strength training to help reduce this risk of falls. Sound familiar?
They also point out that those with sore joints should keep moving to keep things from getting worse. I couldn't agree more. Movement is medicine, in my mind. You may have to choose activities that don't place a lot of stress on your joints, such as swimming or water exercise.
They mention things that can affect your balance, such as poor eyesight, poor posture and medications. I guess I'm not the only one who thinks that poor posture needs to be worked on.
Muscle weakness, balance and reflex issues can all be prevented in most cases with regular strength training. If you do regular strength training before you reach your 50's, you will reduce the chance of having problems with osteoporosis and falling in the first place.
If you already have some issues you can start with gradual exercises that involve your bodyweight, such as step-ups, squats, and bridges. If you don't already have these problems, don't wait until you do, to try and fix them. Try a little prevention.
Click here to read my article on Balance 101 - fall prevention.
This is the title of a syndicated article that appeared in the paper this week. You may recall the article on Balance 101 that I did last week. Interesting timing. I'm not the only one that finds this topic interesting.
Someone wrote the authors of this article with a question about osteoporosis. She is 53 and recently diagnosed with this loss of bone mass and her 80 year old mother had fallen and broken a hip.
Did you know that for people 65 and older, fall related injuries are the leading cause of accidental death?
Osteoporosis is related to bone fractures in this population. Slowed reflexes, decreased balance, and weak muscles also play a role. The authors advise strength training to help reduce this risk of falls. Sound familiar?
They also point out that those with sore joints should keep moving to keep things from getting worse. I couldn't agree more. Movement is medicine, in my mind. You may have to choose activities that don't place a lot of stress on your joints, such as swimming or water exercise.
They mention things that can affect your balance, such as poor eyesight, poor posture and medications. I guess I'm not the only one who thinks that poor posture needs to be worked on.
Muscle weakness, balance and reflex issues can all be prevented in most cases with regular strength training. If you do regular strength training before you reach your 50's, you will reduce the chance of having problems with osteoporosis and falling in the first place.
If you already have some issues you can start with gradual exercises that involve your bodyweight, such as step-ups, squats, and bridges. If you don't already have these problems, don't wait until you do, to try and fix them. Try a little prevention.
Click here to read my article on Balance 101 - fall prevention.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Stretching and the Power Plate:
The Power Plate whole body vibration platform is a great tool for stretching. Close to 30 professional sports teams use it with their athletes, primarily as part of their warmup. With around 30 reflex muscle contractions per second, you get the muscles warmed up in no time.
All those muscle contractions occur while you are holding a stretch for thirty seconds. Besides creating a lot of heat in the muscle and connective tissue, those contractions also make a change in your nervous system. The end result is greater flexibility in a relatively short amount of time.
That's one of the reasons athletes use vibration platforms - it speeds up the warmup process and gets you ready for the movements to follow. If you're not an athlete but need to increase your flexibility, the Power Plate can help with that.
If you've read my articles before, you know that I am a big movement person. I believe that most of us don't move enough and thus aren't as healthy as we should be. Many of the physical problems I've dealt with in clinic settings have been movement related - not enough of some movements and too much of others (overuse injuries).
Which is why I generally advocate movements such as joint mobility or some type of dynamic stretching, in order to move more efficiently and to be flexible in motion, which is more important than being flexible in a stationary position.
Whole body vibration platforms offer a perfect solution as whether to do static (stationary) stretching or do some type of movement to increase your flexibility. Do static stretching with a Power Plate and then do some type of movement afterwards to get the best of both worlds.
Combining these techniques will give you a synergistic effect, where the sum total is more than either of the parts on their own.
The Power Plate whole body vibration platform is a great tool for stretching. Close to 30 professional sports teams use it with their athletes, primarily as part of their warmup. With around 30 reflex muscle contractions per second, you get the muscles warmed up in no time.
All those muscle contractions occur while you are holding a stretch for thirty seconds. Besides creating a lot of heat in the muscle and connective tissue, those contractions also make a change in your nervous system. The end result is greater flexibility in a relatively short amount of time.
That's one of the reasons athletes use vibration platforms - it speeds up the warmup process and gets you ready for the movements to follow. If you're not an athlete but need to increase your flexibility, the Power Plate can help with that.
If you've read my articles before, you know that I am a big movement person. I believe that most of us don't move enough and thus aren't as healthy as we should be. Many of the physical problems I've dealt with in clinic settings have been movement related - not enough of some movements and too much of others (overuse injuries).
Which is why I generally advocate movements such as joint mobility or some type of dynamic stretching, in order to move more efficiently and to be flexible in motion, which is more important than being flexible in a stationary position.
Whole body vibration platforms offer a perfect solution as whether to do static (stationary) stretching or do some type of movement to increase your flexibility. Do static stretching with a Power Plate and then do some type of movement afterwards to get the best of both worlds.
Combining these techniques will give you a synergistic effect, where the sum total is more than either of the parts on their own.
If you don't have access to a WBV platform you can do some type of self-massage first, to release tension in your muscles. When you have tense muscles that may have some triggerpoints, they won't stretch as easy and will quickly return to their previous length.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Golf Fitness - Chasing Tiger:
You may never play golf like Tiger Woods but you can play better by focusing on your fitness levels. Yesterday, while flipping channels on the TV and occasionally napping, I caught some golf action. Phil Mickelson ended up winning this particular tournament.
One of the commentators noticed a much slimmer Mickelson and also said that his playing partner had lost weight. Its no secret that Tiger Woods is the best golfer in the world. Its also no secret that he works hard to stay in shape.
Yes, he works hard on his golf game and is highly skilled and also highly driven. This hard work carries over to his fitness workouts. You can take one look at his physique to see that this is the case. While many golfers have less than impressive physiques - John Daly comes to mind - staying fit has definitely helped Tiger.
Besides adding some power to your swing, doing some strength training will help support your lower back, an area vulnerable to injury. Between the speed of the golf swing and all the twisting, your low back is at risk of injury.
So if you aren't looking to take on Tiger or any of the PGA players you can still benefit from some off the course training. Flexibility is definitely needed and often lost as you get older. Strength is also gradually lost without specific training. Baby Boomers and Seniors looking to play golf as long as possible should consider a golf fitness program.
This would include core training to support and strengthen your back. Simple exercises with dumbbells and/or bodyweight will help with your strength and also help your muscles from getting too stiff. You don't have to start a bodybuilding program and you don't have to spend hours at the gym, either.
You should be doing something to stay healthy and fight the aging process anyway, but if that isn't your priority for whatever reason, it will definitely improve your golf game and reduce your risk of injury. Let's face it.... you can't play much golf if your back is sore.
For more info check out these articles:
joint mobility training, golf fitness, core training for a strong back and abs
You may never play golf like Tiger Woods but you can play better by focusing on your fitness levels. Yesterday, while flipping channels on the TV and occasionally napping, I caught some golf action. Phil Mickelson ended up winning this particular tournament.
One of the commentators noticed a much slimmer Mickelson and also said that his playing partner had lost weight. Its no secret that Tiger Woods is the best golfer in the world. Its also no secret that he works hard to stay in shape.
Yes, he works hard on his golf game and is highly skilled and also highly driven. This hard work carries over to his fitness workouts. You can take one look at his physique to see that this is the case. While many golfers have less than impressive physiques - John Daly comes to mind - staying fit has definitely helped Tiger.
Besides adding some power to your swing, doing some strength training will help support your lower back, an area vulnerable to injury. Between the speed of the golf swing and all the twisting, your low back is at risk of injury.
So if you aren't looking to take on Tiger or any of the PGA players you can still benefit from some off the course training. Flexibility is definitely needed and often lost as you get older. Strength is also gradually lost without specific training. Baby Boomers and Seniors looking to play golf as long as possible should consider a golf fitness program.
This would include core training to support and strengthen your back. Simple exercises with dumbbells and/or bodyweight will help with your strength and also help your muscles from getting too stiff. You don't have to start a bodybuilding program and you don't have to spend hours at the gym, either.
You should be doing something to stay healthy and fight the aging process anyway, but if that isn't your priority for whatever reason, it will definitely improve your golf game and reduce your risk of injury. Let's face it.... you can't play much golf if your back is sore.
For more info check out these articles:
joint mobility training, golf fitness, core training for a strong back and abs
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Balance 101 - Trying to Prevent Falling:
We're still in Winter's icy grasp here in the Midwest. More snow this season than in the past couple of years and the temps have been plenty cool to boot.
Along with plenty of shoveling comes plenty of fender benders, plenty of falls on the ice as well. Local hospitals have reported many visits for cuts, bruises, and other injuries.
I've slipped quite a few times myself. Many times after a "light" snowfall that was just enough to cover the ground..... or the ice as it turns out. A couple of times I slipped on ice that was as smooth as glass underneath the snow.
So how did I manage not to fall this Winter? Simple, I do plenty of strength exercises for my legs and hips - many of them while standing, to increase my balance and coordination. Leg strength is one of the factors in preventing a fall, whether it be ice or whatever.
Granted, I'm probably a few years younger than some of you, but I'm also probably a lot taller. At about 6' 5", I have a pretty high center of gravity..... which should make me more susceptible to falls than someone much shorter.
But by doing plenty of exercise in a standing position my balance and coordination is enhanced. Here is a video that shows some of the exercises I do for my lower body:
We're still in Winter's icy grasp here in the Midwest. More snow this season than in the past couple of years and the temps have been plenty cool to boot.
Along with plenty of shoveling comes plenty of fender benders, plenty of falls on the ice as well. Local hospitals have reported many visits for cuts, bruises, and other injuries.
I've slipped quite a few times myself. Many times after a "light" snowfall that was just enough to cover the ground..... or the ice as it turns out. A couple of times I slipped on ice that was as smooth as glass underneath the snow.
So how did I manage not to fall this Winter? Simple, I do plenty of strength exercises for my legs and hips - many of them while standing, to increase my balance and coordination. Leg strength is one of the factors in preventing a fall, whether it be ice or whatever.
Granted, I'm probably a few years younger than some of you, but I'm also probably a lot taller. At about 6' 5", I have a pretty high center of gravity..... which should make me more susceptible to falls than someone much shorter.
But by doing plenty of exercise in a standing position my balance and coordination is enhanced. Here is a video that shows some of the exercises I do for my lower body:
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Increased Fitness Doesn't Always Mean Being Lean:
Continuing our recent discussions, you can have increased levels of fitness and health without looking like a fitness model. Just because you don't lose a lot of weight with exercise doesn't mean that you aren't healthier or in better shape.
Your eating habits have a lot to do with how lean you are. Doing resistance training to increase your strength makes life's daily activities easier. It also helps protect your joints and allows you to maintain your mobility as you get older.
I've met plenty of people who exercise regularly but still have a couple extra pounds. But this is still better than the "skinny" person who doesn't exercise, but may appear healthy on the outside. At one of the healthclubs I worked at, one gentleman who was around 70 or so, was a regular exerciser and had a protruding stomach about the size of a volleyball.
Yet, he was stronger and in better shape than those his age who do nothing. Its well known that obesity carries an increased risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. So while trying to lose excess weight is always a healthy choice, having a couple extra pounds, but exercising regularly can be okay.
For example, a few years back I did personal training with two women in their mid 40's. These women were best friends and their families did a lot of activities together. They would carry on a conversation while I put them through their exercises. They worked hard but also got in their social time this way.
It worked out well as one would do the exercise and then switch with the other. This way they were able to get a lot of work done in a short amount of time, while keeping their heart rate up. Their overall strength and endurance increased with these intense "buddy" workouts. While I would have liked to have seen a couple more pounds lost with one of them, there are other factors such as diet that play a role in fat loss.
In any case, one of them told me about a hike in the mountains that she went on with her teenage daughter and some other teenagers. All the work in the weight room paid off as she was able to keep up with the "kids." She also said that some of the girls were huffing and puffing a little, but she was fine.
Just goes to show that outward appearances aren't the whole story when it comes to health and fitness. You should strive to keep your bodyfat levels under control, but maintaining or building your strength with resistance training is very important. This will also help with your mobility.
You know me, try to work on your posture first to make your exercise more efficient. Good posture is also important for avoiding injuries and reducing the stress on your joints. By focusing on these things and getting adequate movement, you can feel better and be healthier as you age.
For more information, read my article Resistance training can reverse the aging process.
Continuing our recent discussions, you can have increased levels of fitness and health without looking like a fitness model. Just because you don't lose a lot of weight with exercise doesn't mean that you aren't healthier or in better shape.
Your eating habits have a lot to do with how lean you are. Doing resistance training to increase your strength makes life's daily activities easier. It also helps protect your joints and allows you to maintain your mobility as you get older.
I've met plenty of people who exercise regularly but still have a couple extra pounds. But this is still better than the "skinny" person who doesn't exercise, but may appear healthy on the outside. At one of the healthclubs I worked at, one gentleman who was around 70 or so, was a regular exerciser and had a protruding stomach about the size of a volleyball.
Yet, he was stronger and in better shape than those his age who do nothing. Its well known that obesity carries an increased risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. So while trying to lose excess weight is always a healthy choice, having a couple extra pounds, but exercising regularly can be okay.
For example, a few years back I did personal training with two women in their mid 40's. These women were best friends and their families did a lot of activities together. They would carry on a conversation while I put them through their exercises. They worked hard but also got in their social time this way.
It worked out well as one would do the exercise and then switch with the other. This way they were able to get a lot of work done in a short amount of time, while keeping their heart rate up. Their overall strength and endurance increased with these intense "buddy" workouts. While I would have liked to have seen a couple more pounds lost with one of them, there are other factors such as diet that play a role in fat loss.
In any case, one of them told me about a hike in the mountains that she went on with her teenage daughter and some other teenagers. All the work in the weight room paid off as she was able to keep up with the "kids." She also said that some of the girls were huffing and puffing a little, but she was fine.
Just goes to show that outward appearances aren't the whole story when it comes to health and fitness. You should strive to keep your bodyfat levels under control, but maintaining or building your strength with resistance training is very important. This will also help with your mobility.
You know me, try to work on your posture first to make your exercise more efficient. Good posture is also important for avoiding injuries and reducing the stress on your joints. By focusing on these things and getting adequate movement, you can feel better and be healthier as you age.
For more information, read my article Resistance training can reverse the aging process.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Increased Movement for Better Health:
In a recent article, I talked about a new proposal for physical activity - an optimal level and a basic level of movement. A basic level would be a minimum amount of activity to increase your health.
Without adequate movement in your week, you are sure to be at increased risk for disease and dysfunction. You are certain to end up with stiff, achy joints and probably lose some of your mobility as you get older.
Do you recall how much activity is required to see an increase in your fitness? According to one study - as little as 75 minutes per week! If you broke that up per day it would be just over 10 minutes a day of physical activity. Something virtually anyone can achieve.
Whether you have Fibromyalgia or some other physical problem you can walk for 10 minutes a day. Just 10 minutes a day of walking or Tai Chi will give you more health benefits than doing nothing!
And it can help you feel better in the process. You know that your immune system is dependent on movement for proper function, don't you? Your lymphatic fluid - part of your immune system - doesn't have a built-in pump, like the heart, which circulates your blood throughout your body.
So this lymphatic fluid is dependent on your muscles moving to circulate this precious fluid, which helps eliminate toxins in your body. So even if you have some physical disabilities, most of you are capable of walking for 10-15 minutes a day to improve your level of health.
By starting slow and gradual like this, you can then safely progress to 20-30 minutes of continuous movement. Or on days that you have limited time, even getting in 12-15 minutes of walking will help. Remember, at the end of the week its the total amount of activity that counts and not how much was done in one session.
Obviously, this is different than those seeking optimal levels of fitness, but this is the minimum that you need. Even if you never progress further, this small amount of movement is better than doing nothing..... and who knows, you may find that you can do more exercise than you imagined.
One thing that might help for those with limited mobility or achy joints is water exercise. Water is joint friendly and allows you to increase your activity in a safe and gentle manner. Its easier for many to move in the water than on land, so consider that as an option.
I found out about a revolutionary method of combining water and land exercise not long ago. The Burdenko Method combines deep water exercise with land exercises to help with many pain syndromes. A program of water activity combined with walking may be what's needed to help you feel better and reduce pain, or reduce the chance of losing your mobility as you age.
If nothing else, walk up and down the stairs of your house a couple times and then repeat this regimen here and there throughout the day. This by itself isn't going to take off any pounds, but it can help you be healthier.
In a recent article, I talked about a new proposal for physical activity - an optimal level and a basic level of movement. A basic level would be a minimum amount of activity to increase your health.
Without adequate movement in your week, you are sure to be at increased risk for disease and dysfunction. You are certain to end up with stiff, achy joints and probably lose some of your mobility as you get older.
Do you recall how much activity is required to see an increase in your fitness? According to one study - as little as 75 minutes per week! If you broke that up per day it would be just over 10 minutes a day of physical activity. Something virtually anyone can achieve.
Whether you have Fibromyalgia or some other physical problem you can walk for 10 minutes a day. Just 10 minutes a day of walking or Tai Chi will give you more health benefits than doing nothing!
And it can help you feel better in the process. You know that your immune system is dependent on movement for proper function, don't you? Your lymphatic fluid - part of your immune system - doesn't have a built-in pump, like the heart, which circulates your blood throughout your body.
So this lymphatic fluid is dependent on your muscles moving to circulate this precious fluid, which helps eliminate toxins in your body. So even if you have some physical disabilities, most of you are capable of walking for 10-15 minutes a day to improve your level of health.
By starting slow and gradual like this, you can then safely progress to 20-30 minutes of continuous movement. Or on days that you have limited time, even getting in 12-15 minutes of walking will help. Remember, at the end of the week its the total amount of activity that counts and not how much was done in one session.
Obviously, this is different than those seeking optimal levels of fitness, but this is the minimum that you need. Even if you never progress further, this small amount of movement is better than doing nothing..... and who knows, you may find that you can do more exercise than you imagined.
One thing that might help for those with limited mobility or achy joints is water exercise. Water is joint friendly and allows you to increase your activity in a safe and gentle manner. Its easier for many to move in the water than on land, so consider that as an option.
I found out about a revolutionary method of combining water and land exercise not long ago. The Burdenko Method combines deep water exercise with land exercises to help with many pain syndromes. A program of water activity combined with walking may be what's needed to help you feel better and reduce pain, or reduce the chance of losing your mobility as you age.
If nothing else, walk up and down the stairs of your house a couple times and then repeat this regimen here and there throughout the day. This by itself isn't going to take off any pounds, but it can help you be healthier.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Local Bike Enthusiast Dies at 90:
A few days ago, a local man who spent much of his retirement riding his bike and collecting aluminum cans, passed away. I passed this unique gentleman several times while out walking or riding my bike.
I've told you in the past of my love for water. After spending three years in the Southeast, where the ocean wasn't too far away, I now spend as much time as possible near the Mississippi River. Whether walking or bike riding, being near the water and seeing other people and wildlife appeals to me.
After coming back to the Midwest, I noticed this elderly man who could always (it seemed) be found on the pathway near this mighty river. He would stop and collect aluminum cans as he road one of his bikes. One was a three wheeler and I believe he had one or two others that he occasionally road.
He would always say hello whenever we passed, but I never actually talked to him. According to the local paper, he loved to meet people along the bike path and also wanted to stay active. His wife said that he feared ending up in a nursing home.
He would be out there on his bike as long as the temperatures and weather weren't too severe. This past Spring I didn't see him out there so I assumed he had died. But I saw him once or twice in the Summer time and knew he was still around.
No matter what, he would be wearing bib overalls. Apparently, he slowed down a little recently and passed away quickly. If you ask me, that's the way to do it - stay active in your retirement years, living a long life and avoiding a long stay in a nursing home or hospital.
Now I know that some people will do all the right things, such as exercising and eating right and still end up with some disease or poor health, but if you just leave it to chance, your odds of having poor health and disease are much greater.
If more people lived their retirement years like the "can man" and stayed active, our nursing homes wouldn't be as full as they are.... or will be with all the Baby Boomers approaching their retirement years.
Taking a proactive approach to health instead of a reactive one seems to make more sense doesn't it? Don't wait until something is wrong to try and fix it, try to prevent it in the first place. Try to get a little more movement into your daily life and see what happens.
For more information on physical activity and anti aging, click here.
A few days ago, a local man who spent much of his retirement riding his bike and collecting aluminum cans, passed away. I passed this unique gentleman several times while out walking or riding my bike.
I've told you in the past of my love for water. After spending three years in the Southeast, where the ocean wasn't too far away, I now spend as much time as possible near the Mississippi River. Whether walking or bike riding, being near the water and seeing other people and wildlife appeals to me.
After coming back to the Midwest, I noticed this elderly man who could always (it seemed) be found on the pathway near this mighty river. He would stop and collect aluminum cans as he road one of his bikes. One was a three wheeler and I believe he had one or two others that he occasionally road.
He would always say hello whenever we passed, but I never actually talked to him. According to the local paper, he loved to meet people along the bike path and also wanted to stay active. His wife said that he feared ending up in a nursing home.
He would be out there on his bike as long as the temperatures and weather weren't too severe. This past Spring I didn't see him out there so I assumed he had died. But I saw him once or twice in the Summer time and knew he was still around.
No matter what, he would be wearing bib overalls. Apparently, he slowed down a little recently and passed away quickly. If you ask me, that's the way to do it - stay active in your retirement years, living a long life and avoiding a long stay in a nursing home or hospital.
Now I know that some people will do all the right things, such as exercising and eating right and still end up with some disease or poor health, but if you just leave it to chance, your odds of having poor health and disease are much greater.
If more people lived their retirement years like the "can man" and stayed active, our nursing homes wouldn't be as full as they are.... or will be with all the Baby Boomers approaching their retirement years.
Taking a proactive approach to health instead of a reactive one seems to make more sense doesn't it? Don't wait until something is wrong to try and fix it, try to prevent it in the first place. Try to get a little more movement into your daily life and see what happens.
For more information on physical activity and anti aging, click here.
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