Archive for Over 65

BEYOND BOOMER ENERGY

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Sunday, May 27th, 2012

Beyond Boomer Energy

How many of us in the Fitness World have often asked ourselves why we weren’t getting the results we wanted although we were certain we were doing all the right things. If this sounds like you, I can understand, feeling the same way many times. As a Coach and competitive athlete for over thirty years I am always looking for that “edge”. I am continually studying everything in nutrition, strength and psychology (Human Behavior) looking for that edge for myself and my clients. A few years ago as I was working with my Coach on an electrolyte problem I was having, I swerved into an area that grabbed my attention and changed everything. Being Alkaline. With my business focus being challenged populations, primarily those who I call “Beyond Boomers”, those who are beyond age 65, actually the averge age of my clients is 80-85. I needed to have a solid grasp of this concept before I would feel confident to share with these special populations.

My Plan

As a competitive Triathlete I proceeded to get myself alkaline. I used a very simple plan. I drank lots of water. But not just any water. It had to have a PH of at least 8.0. I also had to have a way to measure whether it worked. So being a good scientist I proceeded to eliminate my supplements that I had been using as buffering agents during training and replaced them with the water. It worked! I felt better. I was stronger and I was able to recover quicker from my workouts. I now felt it was time to share my knowledge with my clients.

My Clients

The first goal I have with a new client is to get them to start moving. After that is accomplished and we are establishing a training program or new activity, I then look at their nutrition. Now I need to remind everyone that I work with very challenged individuals, many having suffered very traumatic injuries, brain and spinal cord. For this article I am going to focus on Beyond Boomers which again their average age is 80-85. An important and often overlooked fact with this group is that as we age we lose taste buds. But we don’t lose our taste for sweets, which is why a lot of our Beyond Boomers have a difficult time with nutrition. The food has to taste good. I believed I had found at least a partial solution to the problem. I had a place to start. Plain old water. Let me make a couple points here. First it is very common that our Beyond Boomers are challenged when it comes to hydration. They just need to drink more. Second, remember it has to taste good. The goal was to introduce a more alkaline water. Most water is acidic which means it is less than 7.0 on a scale of 1-14. Although this will help with hydration, it won’t allow for maximum health. This is the goal, maximum health and performance. Just by drinking a more alkaline water anyone could quickly start to feel better and have increased energy, as I experienced in my own training.

The Science

How is it possible to achieve increased energy and strength through alkalinity? Some of you have probably been aware of the importance of keeping our bodies more alkaline, which has to do with your bloods PH. Ideally we need to be at 7.3 on that scale of 1-14 which I previously had mentioned. Your body will do whatever is possible to maintain 7.3 PH. This can weaken you. This is where drinking water that is alkaline is important. A more alkaline water can solve two problems at the same time. Proper hydration and being alkaline. Next, remember how I shared with you about those taste buds. The water must have a good taste to it. So to this point if we can get people to drink quality water we can begin to positively influence their health. If you want you can test your own PH with special strips from the Drugstore or a Health Food store. This gives you a baseline, but the real test is the results.

Benefits of Being Alkaline

Some of the benefits that are gained from drinking alkaline water and being alkaline are

* Increased Energy

* Increased Strength

* Improved Metabolism

* Improved Immunity

* Improved Fat Loss

* Feeling Better

* Improved Bone Density

Although all of these points are huge with Beyond Boomers, it’s important for everyone. Who would not want the benefits presented here?

Results from Being Alkaline

Let’s Look at these benefits and begin to appreciate the results of having more energy, such as providing you more time to do what you enjoy. Just think how important this is for our Beyond Boomers. With improved strength from having less muscle fatigue you are able to exercise more often, at an increased intensity because of being able to increase the time or resistance of your program. This then relates back to being able to do what you enjoy more, such as golf or other activities, at higher levels of performance. Which will then create a positive, emotional relationship to exercise and you will feel better.

Strength

Because I believe that being strong is the most important fitness component for Beyond Boomers. (I really believe it applies to everyone). I want to highlight this benefit. By being strong this population’s entire world opens up. They have no limits and now can find a purpose and go after it with physical certainty. Lastly by creating a healthier body with stronger bones and muscles, people have less health issues, which creates an incredible psychological boost. Being sick or injured is not fun at any age, but is devastating at this age.

Summary

Although many in the mainstream medical community may have problems understanding the concept of alkalinity, there has been good research that we should investigate for ourselves, as I did, by such individuals as Dr. Neil Solomon, Dr. Sang Whang, Dr. Alex Guerrero, top Endurance Coach, Joe Friel and many others. Remember what we in the fitness and athletic community are most concerned with is performance. When you can measure the effects on your own performance as well as others you coach, it becomes an undeniable and powerfull component of your peak performance program.

Arnie Fonseca, Jr
Wellness Coach
Exercise Physiologist
Founder of Your Awesome Life Now.com
Founder of Total Recovery
arnie@yourawesomelifenow.com
602-390-9144

Categories : anti-aging, Elderly, Exercise, Exercise Over 50, Healthy Products, Life, Nutrition, Over 65, Stength and Fitness, Traumatic Injury
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PEGGY’S WISDOM

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Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

Categories : Elderly, Life, Over 65
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Elderly Exercise Myths

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Saturday, March 19th, 2011

5 Myths about Exercise and Older Adults reported by the National Institute on Aging

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: Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy for the elderly. Period. Inactivity often causes seniors to lose the ability to do things on their own and can lead to more hospitalizations, doctor visits, and use of medicines for illnesses.

Myth 3: Exercise puts me at risk of falling down.

Fact: Regular exercise, by building strength and stamina, prevents loss of bone mass and improves balance, actually reducing your risk of falling.

Myth 4: It’s too late. I’m already too old, to start exercising

Fact: You’re never too old to exercise! If you’ve never exercised before, or it’s been a while, start with light walking and other gentle activities.

Myth 5: I’m disabled. I can’t exercise sitting down.

Fact: Chair-bound people face special challenges but can lift light weights, stretch, and do chair aerobics to increase range of motion, improve muscle tone, and promote cardiovascular health.

Categories : Elderly, Exercise, Over 65, Stength and Fitness
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Stress

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Sunday, February 27th, 2011

I strongly believe that one of the strongest factors in individuals whom live well into their 90’s is that of how they handle stress. Over the last twenty plus years whenever I worked or had a relationship with someone that age group, the first thing that comes to mind is calmness. Somewhere along their life’s journey they discovered one of the secrets of aging, the ability to handle stress. Let me remind everyone that there is both good and bad stress. Good being some type of physical, mental or emotional event that challenges us. Not that overwhelms us. The problem for many is that simple healthy stress can turn into unhealthy, dangerous stress. Healthy physical stress makes us stronger, increases our endurance and improves our flexibility. Healthy mental stress will improve our knowledge base and possibly improve memory and of course healthy emotional stress will teach us how to respond to life rather than react. In all these areas the elderly in their 90’s seem to be very much in control. Another way to describe this behavior pattern is calmness. This elderly group does everything in moderation. Whatever they do appears to be done at the appropriate level, physically, mentally and emotionally. They don’t appear to have high highs or low lows like so many of us do. They are amazing at responding to various situations instead of reacting. As stated earlier it’s this ability to deal with stress that we all encounter in our lives that will allow all us to live a long happy and healthy life. Millions of elderly around the world are proving that being calm about life is one of the most valuable skills we all can learn.

Categories : anti-aging, Over 65, personal growth, success
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Personality Power

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Saturday, February 26th, 2011

The power of personalities. This statement can make or break many relationships, whether in business or personally. Knowing the personality of the person you want to establish a relationship is one of the most valuable tools you will have in your life. As a teacher and a coach for many years, having this skill would have made my life so much more joyful. Although I have always done well establishing relationships, especially in business, the reason for this was that I have been very interactive or outgoing. As I started to study personality tests such as Disc and others it allowed me to learn more about me and how I best relate to others and how they relate to me. With this knowledge I began thinking of all the opportunities I had had to develop relationships, that were lost, because I was not relating to the other person in a way that they needed to be. Developing relationships is not about me, it’s about the other person. This point alone has played a huge role in my life the last few years. I have learned that I can’t expect people to know how to communicate with me, I must first communicate with them, not how I want to be talked to but rather how they want to be talked to. It is at this level that developing skills on how to identify personalities is so valuable. When I am able to talk to people in the language they understand, at a pace that is comfortable for them. I will greatly enhance my chance to develop a personal relationship. The hard part of this for me is with personal relationships, those who already know me. Unlike business relationships they may not work, I have to work extra hard at learning about my family and friends, if I want to keep them around. I have to learn about their personality and how to communicate to them. Remember in business you don’t always have to be in business, but it’s a lot more difficult to find new family and friends. You must study their personalities and learn to communicate in a way that’s pleasant to them. Believe me it’s worth it. So the tip here is don’t try to change people, study them and change how you communicate and treat them. You will develop an amazing life by develop amazing relationships!

Categories : Life, Over 65, Persoanl Growth, success
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Exercise and Energize

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Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

For many of you who have never experienced that burst of energy you hear about people getting during a run or some other exercise or game. It’s real! But this is only the psychological benefit from participating in some form of exercise. I love to relate back to the thousands of elderly adults whom I have coached in regular exercise. Not only do many report that initial burst of energy, but if they stay with the program, they report an overall increase in physical energy and an increase in general well being. Remember these are folks that started with a low baseline physically. You may be asking what this has to do with me. Everything! If people in their 80’s and 90’s can achieve these benefits, than younger people certainly can and do. How important is it to you to have energy to do what you love. You hold the key. Simple exercise or movement is where to begin. “A Fitness Experience” has shown for over twenty years that simply moving all the muscles in your body on a regular basis will bring dramatic effects in your energy levels. With increased energy you will have no limits on what you can do. What you will find is that what your mind is able to visualize your body will be more able to do. This is when you will achieve the goal of feeling better and being physically stronger, which will allow your muscles and you to have boundless energy to capture your dreams!

Categories : anti-aging, flexibility, Life, Over 65, Stength and Fitness
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Let’s Get Our Move On!

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Monday, February 21st, 2011

Have you ever noticed that when you start to exercise your muscles begin to feel more flexible, which means they work. I like to compare it to the movie “The Wizard of Oz” where the Tin Man had to carry his oil can around, so he wouldn’t rust. We all carry our own “oil can” it’s called moving. I am amazed at how people respond when they start moving. They feel better, both physically and mentally. Our joints and muscles come alive. Things that hurt suddenly stop or hurt less. Now I want you to understand that if you have physical challenges, I would recommend gettting medically cleared. But with that said, anyone can start moving. You could be lying down to do that. What I’m talking about is what I have done with the elderly for 25 years. Our exercise is based around simple movements that anyone can do, regardless of your physical challenges. I know that if you start moving, you will begin to use that “oil can” which means it’s only a matter of time before your feeling better. That’s the key! Getting those muscles and joints “lubed up.” I have seen so many elderly individuals in their 80′s and beyond whose entire outlook on life is elevated become they simply started moving. It works. So why not get your move on today and live the life you deserve!

Categories : anti-aging, Exercise Over 50, flexibility, Life, Low Impact Workouts, Over 65, Stength and Fitness, Uncategorized, Workouts
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Master Stress…Master You!

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Saturday, February 19th, 2011

For over 30 years I have discovered one simple fact in my life. Exercise helps me relax! Now I know that all of us for the past 30 plus years or longer have been told to exercise. For many that thought alone causes stress. We want to reduce, control or eliminate stress, not increase it. So first what I have taught for many years is the concept of investing time in yourself to learn what works for you. Putting together a plan that will help you reduce stress. When doing my original research with the elderly, those whom are older than 80, I was amazed at how calm they were. They certainly had a much different way of dealing with life. This is one of the main keys to health, mastering stress. So let’s look at a couple common ways that exercise can be used for mastery of stress.

* It makes you feel good. Your endorphins get going and you have an increased sense of well-being. Some call it the runner’s high. But this affect can be had with most any type of exercise.

* It allows you to dump stuff out of your head. You can focus instead of being overwhelmed with life. Symptoms of mild depression and anxiety can be reduced. Some may call it meditation in motion. You look at life with renewed enthusiasm.

* It improves your mood. Being involved in regular exercise helps you better manage your emotions. You will sleep better. As with the other points, as you begin to master your stress levels you gain a sense of command over your body and your life.
Other things to consider with exercise and stress are that over exercising can increase stress. Doing exercise that does not appeal to you. Consulting with a medical professional if you have medical conditions.

Review

Start slow and easy. You want to be doing this the rest of your life.
Find something you love to do. Pick an activity you enjoy and fits into your lifestyle.
Schedule it! You have to make it part of your day.

Categories : anti-aging, flexibility, Life, Over 65, Stength and Fitness, Workouts
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Easy Exercise Is The Key

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Friday, February 18th, 2011

A question that comes up quite frequently is that of strength vs. cardio or endurance, when it comes to an exercise program. Over the past 25 years what I have discovered is that if the exercise is not easy, it’s a good bet the person won’t be sticking around long. Sound familiar? So, with the elderly we created such an easy exercise program that we knew they would say, “I can do that!” We also knew that if they participated in our easy exercise program they would improve their strength, and overall health. Back to our original statement concerning building strength and cardio fitness. If you get stronger and you create the habit of exercise, you now can begin to build that cardio fitness. What we discovered with the elderly 25 years ago was that basic strength exercises are cardio. With the person being so un-fit any movement would get them breathing and create muscle soreness. That’s why we created such an easy exercise program like “A Fitness Experience”. We also found that people became excited about exercise and fitness. As they felt better and got stronger, their life became easier. It becomes so important that the elderly and anyone who is challenged physically learn to exercise to live, not live to exercise!

Categories : anti-aging, flexibility, Low Impact Workouts, Over 65, Stength and Fitness, Weight Training, Workouts
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Feel Better and Get Stronger

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Thursday, February 17th, 2011

As we age it’s amazing how much more important it is to exercise. For many exercise becomes difficult because of bone and joint problems or just general muscle weakness. When “A Fitness Experience” was first developed we noticed some amazing things that were happening. The most important was that psychologically people doing the program felt better. For the first time they could participate in a program that was at their level. They developed confidence. At that point the physical results were almost guaranteed. Now they wanted to do the program, we didn’t have to beg them. “A Fitness Experience” became something they looked forward to. So in a matter of weeks they became physically stronger as the general muscle weakness improved. Life’s activities became a little easier. This added to the pschological benefits of exercise which are well documented, because they were taking charge of this part of their life. So start today and develop those good exercise habits for a longer quality life. Then share your success with others as begin to feel better and get stronger. It’s never to late to start to take control of your body!

Categories : anti-aging, Exercise Over 50, flexibility, Over 65, Stength and Fitness, Workouts
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